Blog

Community-based energy projects

Community-based energy projects As a consumer organisation, our historic roots are in local groups of consumers and citizens coming together to improve things for people of that particular locality (and beyond). So, the projects described below are of great interest – not just for the fact that they are local, but also because this is

Brexit – Keep our safety legislation

Community-based energy projects As a consumer organisation, our historic roots are in local groups of consumers and citizens coming together to improve things for people of that particular locality (and beyond). So, the projects described below are of great interest – not just for the fact that they are local, but also because this is

Reforming Consumer Advocacy in Telecoms

A MUCH NEEDED CHANGE The NCF welcomes action to make a much needed change in the current consumer advocacy arrangements in the telecommunications sector. NCF agrees with the remit proposed in the consultation paper and supports appointing the Citizens Advice to assume the consumer advocacy role. CO-OPERATION WITH CONSUMERS AND CONSUMER ORGANISATIONS However, it should

BREXIT : COMPROMISE, FUDGE OR NO DEAL?

  Months ago writes Arnold Pindar, I was told that the discussions on Brexit withdrawal would go right up to the wire and then agreement would be achieved between the EU 27 and the UK. Having negotiated in Europe since 1977 this did not feel right to me. As a Department of Trade and Industry (now BEIS)

BUILDING TRUST IN ONLINE CONSUMER REVIEWS : AN NCF SUCCESS STORY!

The National Consumer Federation (NCF) was delighted to be present on 6 September 2018 when the British Standards Institution (BSI) launched the international standard BS ISO 20488:2018 Online Consumer Reviews – principles and requirements for their collection, moderation and publication. Timely and Global This standard is timely and being international, recognises that online purchases are often cross

Better Consumer Future North of the Tweed?

The Scottish Government have launched a consultation on the role and remit of a body they are calling Consumer Scotland.The reasons quoted in the doc for the exercise are Evidence has shown that, in specific markets, Scottish consumers behave differently and have different needs from consumers in the rest of the UK. The reasons for this have

How Does Your Bank Rate?

  Have you been and had a look round your branch for this vital consumer information ? I have not but then I have not set foot in a bank branch for many months now. However if you do then have a look for the customer service league tables. Are they lurking behind a pillar

Cross Border Parcel Deliveries

On 12 April 2018 the European Council adopted rules on cross border parcel deliveries to boost e-commerce. During the drafting of the legislation, on behalf of ANEC (The European Consumer Voice in Standardisation), I provided the European Parliament with evidence of: The lack of transparency around pricing Damage to goods in transit Problems relating to

Is Lift and Shift Enough?

Margot James an ex-Minister for consumer rights (how fast they come and go) got it about right when she said ‘when we leave the EU we will be leaving a system of consumer rights and protection..which sits very well with the needs of consumers in the United Kingdom.’ The House of Lords European Union Committee

Brexit and Food Standards

  Besides a backbone of food safety laws, the EU has some useful systems in place which help to keep our food safe. For example, the European Food Safety Authority advises on risk, there is a rapid alert process for sharing information on food problems and also some shared monitoring of food. For example, EU