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Consumer champions
Consumer representation has been a part of standards development for decades, ever since the Women’s Advisory Committee was established in 1951 to advise standards makers on consumer issues regarding domestic appliances. Over time this evolved into the Consumer & Public Interest Network (CPIN) we see today, and in 2021 BSI celebrated the 70th anniversary of consumer participation in standards. CPIN is made up of around 60 trained
volunteers who are experts in consumer issues and sit on BSI technical committees, directly representing consumer interests in standards development.
CPIN, as its chair Julie Hunter is keen to point out, is independently governed to ensure that it operates in the best interest of consumers at all times; “We are very grateful to BSI and BEIS (the department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) for supporting CPIN’s work. However, it is important to recognize that CPIN is led by an independent steering group, which sets CPIN’s priorities, develops its strategy and makes its own decisions about which standards most need consumer representation,” says Julie. “Consumers bring a unique and valuable insight to the table. They can highlight risks often missed by businesses, provide evidence of harm and suggest practical solutions based on the needs and experiences of real consumers.”
The BSI Consumer Forum is an open
network that brings together organizations from across the consumer protection landscape to share valuable insights about current consumer issues. The CPIN Chair
Julie Hunter
Consumers can bring valuable insight and highlight risks often missed by businesses
is a key member of the BSI Consumer Forum Council, which provides a strategic overview of consumer issues, offering policy and research from across the consumer landscape to guide and inform CPIN’s work. Members of the Forum work closely together to share evidence of consumer harm and discuss the role of standards in enhancing consumer protection. Members of the BSI Consumer Forum include consumer organizations, advocacy groups, regulators, enforcement agencies and government departments. They bring experience of general consumer
issues, expertise in a specific topic such as electrical safety or sustainability, and knowledge of the needs of particular groups, such as children or older people. (A full list can be found here) The Consumer Forum and CPIN share common goals informed by the Forum’s current strategic priorities, which are; digital and technology, the transition to a green economy, resilience in the face of crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the increase in cost of living. “The Consumer Forum’s existence is a recognition that there is a wide network
of players in the consumer space and we can learn from each other’s experience and insights,” say its chair, Nikki Stopford. “Markets are shifting and the consumer landscape is really evolving quite rapidly, so being able to provide the right data and insight to CPIN helps them influence standards development in the best way.” Outside of the regular Consumer Forum meetings, member organizations also work together to share valuable knowledge and expertise on specific topics and standards. “Consumer Forum members can provide evidence of real risks that consumers
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