Consumer Association of Bangladesh

1. Introduction Consumers Association of Bangladesh ( hack), a non- politics Non-political and non-profit voluntary constitution was founded in February, 1978 at the initiation of some dedicated residents in Dhaka who was imbued with the ideas of consumerism, a sweat that already took shape in many advanced countries in europium and America. Primarily started as a social collection to protect consumers from good admixture and artificial price-hike it has gradually widened its scope to establish and safeguard consumers rights and interests in social, economic, health and environmental issues. cabriolet was registered with the Department of Social Services, Government of Bangladesh vide reg. No DHA-01247 date 14 March 1983 and with the NGO Affairs Bureau vide reg. No. DSS/FDO/R-197 date 2 March 1986. cab is likewise a full fraction of Consumers Inter depicted object. It is funded by membership fees and by grants from donors. Organization Profile Organization distinguish ward- heeler (Consumers Association of Bangladesh) Member no 761 Joining date 15 Mar 1981Region Asia Pacific Address 8/6, Segunbagicha, Dhaka- 1000 Location Bangladesh reference of Work Campaigning and/or lobbying, Consumer Advice, Consumer Legislation, Dispute Resolution, Networking, Product Testing, put undering, Research/ constitution analysis. It has 500 regular and 100 associate members. Its mission is to empower Consumers with the friendship and skills for the effective protection of their rights and interests.The major areas of political hack activities are Consumer Information & Education, Surveillances & observe on market prices and quality of essential commodities and utility service, consumers complaints handlings, pass for safe foods and commodities, ethical drug promotion and safe environment, studies & research on consumer issues and problems, Advocacy and lobby with the governing body and policy makers for mandate of Consumer Protection Law. 2. Objectives of CAB Th e major objectives of CAB are to 1. make consumers aware of their rights and responsibilities 2. romote consumer education, aiming at height sensation of consumers against exploitation, and providing them with technical knowledge and support for real protection 3. direction on consumers problems and develop a spirit of mutual co-operation and understanding among varied groups, associations, institutions, NGOs and government agencies functioning in the interests of the welfare of the people 4. exchange schooling and knowledge of various actions close to consumer protection with national and international organizations 5. mastermind and set-up consumers associations and groups at the districts and thana level 6.Undertake research studies on consumer issues and problems. 7. Generate awareness among the consumers near their internationally recognized rights and responsibilities as consumers 8. Promote consumer education aiming at empowering consumers with the knowledge and skills on protection of their rights. 9. Enable consumers to organize themselves in establishing and protecting their rights and interests done organized action. 10. Arrange for testing of products and commodities to make the market places safer and consumer friendly. 11.Provide mediation and effective support to the aggrieved consumers related to violation of their rights and interests involved in the purchase and map of commodities and services. 12. Foster and develop contacts and liaison with the national and international organizations having similar objectives. 13. Publish educational materials and feed consumers with information and knowledge on consumerism, consumer issues and problems. 3. Achievements CAB activities in consumer education include mainly the in the public eye(predicate)ation of a monthly air in Bangla titled Consumers Voice to provide consumers with information of various consumer issues and problem.CAB in any case publishes a quarterly bulletin in English, wh ich it distributes to different organizations at photographic plate and ab bridle-path. In addition, it occasionally publishes pamphlets, folders, and leaflets on various consumer issues and problems and regularly prepares features and press releases for dispersion through the mass media. CAB regularly monitors the market prices of essential commodities and services to show the actual price seat in the market and respect prices within the purchasing power of general consumers.It runs a market supervise cell, which regularly conducts market surveys and supplies relevant information to consumers through national dailies. CAB launched a Dirty Dozen Campaign against 12 most harmful pesticides. Earlier, thither were no guidelines on the marketing of pesticides and it is beca social occasion of the pressure created by CAB that the government had to formulate guidelines on the marketing of pesticides and publish them through a print notification. CAB also carried out studies on house hold insecticides and labeling of pesticides on packets.The organization was very vocal and active in creating demand for formulating a topic medicine Policy (NDP) and played an active role in the bear upon of enactment of the NDP in 1982. Since thence, CAB has been regularly monitoring the implementation of NDP and organizing promotional activities, especially relating to issues of inadequacy and poor services in the delivery of public health care. CAB started an anti-tobacco campaign in 1981. CAB is active in lobbying with the government for banning smoking in selected public places. CAB is also monitoring the implementation of the Breast Milk Substitute Ordinance enacted in 1984.CAB carries out campaigns in support of breastfeeding. CAB activities include organization of seminars, whole shebanghops, and group meetings, street processions, diffusion of posters and leaflets, and takings of features in newspapers on environmental defilement and degradation as well as on safe route and transport systems. A routine activity of CAB is the formation and suppuration of consumer for expansion of consumer elbow grease at the division, district, thana and peripheral levels. These groups keep liaison with the national level and deal with consumer education and motivation and handle local consumer problems and issues.CAB runs a Complaint Centre to receive complaints from consumers and extends technical and legal support to them for redress. With a view to keeping the consumers in organise about the daily market situation and other consumer issues and problems CAB runs a Consumer Information Centre, which has a small program library attached to it. It conducts studies on important consumer issues such as commodity prices, use of BMS in hospitals and clinics, tobacco consumption, road accidents, violation of BMS ordinance, drug abuse and the like.It has been looking at for the formulation of consumer protection laws in the country for a long time. CAB now conce ntrates its activities in the districts of Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Gazipur, Manikganj, Bogra, Khulna and Barisal but has architectural plans to expand the activities in other districts of the country, too. nigh of the achievements of CAB are as follows The Milk Vita Company used to liquify imported powder milk with cows milk and then market it as the cows milk.CAB exposed this malpractice, following which the companion had to change its policy CAB created considerable awareness among the people about harmful and unnecessary drugs long before the enactment of the National Drug Policy, which after being formulated, was popularized by CAB through a wide awake campaign Since 1984, CAB has been conducting campaigns for the promotion and protection of breast feeding and has been an urge on for enactment and implementation of Bangladesh Breast Feeding Substitutes (marketing regulation) Ordinance, 1984 CAB was instrumental in the declaration of the Code of Pesticide Mar keting and assisted in the creation of a committee to evaluate price situation, in the re-organization of the Bangladesh Standard Institute and publication of lists for standard certificates, and in creation of a committee to assess the adulteration position in edible oils CAB was instrumental in the re-organization of the governments environmental Pollution Control Department. The anti-tobacco campaign by CAB resulted in the existence of warning against hazardous effects of smoking in cigarette advertizings and CAB has been recognized as representative of consumers in numerous committees (both government and non-government) formed on different issues and subjects.CAB, however, faces a number of constraints such as inadequacy of funds, and a relatively slow response from communities and population groups that prevent consumer movement from gaining a solid ground, and a general weakness of consumers in harm of their awareness level and bargaining strength in purchases. CABs success , therefore, remains borderline as their programmers often go against the interest of the business community, who enjoys near monopoly and has the probability to organize syndicated trade. 3. 1 Research Studies Several research and survey works on consumers affairs are undertaken by CAB. Information ventilation to the stake holders and to the relevant government authorities are the routine practices. It helps the purpose makers to take action and make remedial future action plan for assuring the rights of consumers in the country. Survey and research on Awareness to the sellers and consumers regarding BSTI, and the deposition marks system of BSTI in the grade of 2000. Survey and research on Awareness and the status of Bangladesh on keeping the consumers right in the stratum of 2000. Research on Market food and packaged food in the yr of 2003. Survey and research on Unpackaged food in Dhaka city in the year of 2003. Survey and research on Health service The present status of B angladesh (1. 5 years) in the year of 2005. Survey and research on Public sentiment of sellers and consumers in the year of 2005. Survey report on Livelihood expenses and pricing of product in 1982- 2007). Yearly survey report on Accident on road and river transport in (2000-2004). Survey and research on The use of indigenous medicine in the year of 2005. 3. 2 Campaign for Safe purlieu Women and children are the worst sufferers due to increasing environmental degradation and CAB undertakes programs to promote public awareness and their participation in the environmentally sustainable development. Campaign activities in the form of seminars, workshops, group meetings, rallies and street processions, fruit and distribution of educational materials, writing of features, press release etc. against air and water pollution, environmental degradation and other social abuses are organized on regular basis. 3. 3 Campaign against TobaccoCAB has been campaigning against production and mark eting of tobacco since 1981 and it is through the continued and persistent endeavors of CAB that advertisement of cigarettes in Radio and TV has been banned and health hazards warning signals on cigarette packs has been introduced. CAB is a member of the Bangladesh Anti-tobacco Alliance and has been lobbying with the government for enactment of laws putting ban on smoking in public places as well as on advertisement of cigarettes in print media. This has, however, resulted in the enactment of Bangladesh Tobacco Control Law 2005. CAB has now started lobbying with the government for effective implementation of law and organizing campaign for raising public awareness on tobacco menace to bring about tangible decrease of tobacco use in the society.Read also Padma Bridge