Movimento Consumatori is a not-for-profit autonomous and independent association registered with the List of Social Promotion Associations, established in 1985 by initiative of a group of citizens and experts, spurred by the need to protect consumer rights.

 

 

Movimento Consumatori proposes to offer to citizens better consumption conditions, trying to lobby on institutional and private players to induce them to offer products and services tailored to user requirements. Movimento Consumatori helps, supports and provides advise to its members by means of specialist consulting services, represents them before public organisations, private companies, service providers and product manufacturers, and promotes the consumers' awareness of their rights and responsibilities.

 

A distinctive element of Movimento Consumatori is its attention to the practical problems consumers have to cope with in their daily life.

 

This attention reflects into ex-post legal protection, the main activity of our association, and in the continuous dialogue with all other parties, institutions, companies, category associations, media, to direct the decisions in favour of a better protection of consumers and citizens.

 

Movimento Consumatori has entered into several agreement protocols to implement controversy settlement procedures with parties willing to make negotiations to the benefit of consumers, such as Ania, Banco Posta, Capitalia, Enel, H3G, Intesasanpaolo, Poste Italiane, Telecom, Tim and Wind.

 

MC also works TOGETHER with consumer citizens. In fact, since its incorporation, MC has given priority to taking actions that might help citizens to take conscience of their rights and also of their individual responsibilities.

 

This is why MC cooperates with, supports and is a partner in many entities committed to such essential issues as minor protection, the promotion of culture and solidarity, critical consumerism and fair trade,to mention a few.

 

MC has also promoted the creation of Purchaser Groups for the purchase of baby products and fair trade products.

 

Movimento Consumatori is:

 

·         A member of the CNCU - National Board of Consumers and Users of the Ministry of Production Activities:

·         A member of the ARCI Federation

·         A member of the Editorial Staff of the magazine Vita

·         A member of Transport & Environment

·         A member of the Valore Sociale association

·         A member of the Consumers’ Forum

·         A member of the Forum on Sustainable Finance

·         A member of FAIRTRADE ITALIA

·         A member of the Italian World Water Contract Committee

·         Supporter of the Permanent Forum on the Third Sector

·         Supporter of the "Sbilanciamoci" campaign

·         Supporter of the "Tobin Tax" campaign

·         Supporter of the TV and Minors Committee

 

 

The addresses of MC offices are available at the www.movimentoconsumatori.it national website.

 

 

Thanks to the activities of the Osservatorio Farmaci & Salute (Drugs and Health Observatory) MC has promoted major information campaigns on drug prices and many initiatives for patient protection. Among these, the projects Questione di etichetta and S.O.S. Salute, the partnership with AIFA within the framework of the campaign on equivalent drugs and on the proper use of drugs.

In terms of food safety, MC supervises the "Impariamo a leggere le etichette" (Label reading) manual aimed at conveying information on nutritional aspects. MC promotes educational campaigns on health risks and carries out activities on this matter in the schools. MC also performs accurate lab analyses on an annual basis.

 

Thanks to the Osservatorio Credito & Risparmio (Credit and Savings Observatory), thousands of households received support after the notorious financial scandals. MC started projects with the Italian Banks Association - ABI("Patti Chiari") and with Capitalia ("Progetto Dialogo"). MC has participated in the negotiations between ABI and Consumers Associations on mortgage loan termination penalties.

 

In terms of Insurance, MC has carried out major campaigns for a greater competition in prices, supporting thousand of citizens and making available to them an online search engine to compare the most cost-effective car liability policies. MC also carried out educational initiatives on third-party auto liability issues in the schools.

 

In terms of tourist rights, MC has taken care of hundreds of citizens who addressed the SOS Turista points. MC has also implemented a Charter of Tourists' Rights, now at its 11^th edition, aimed at spreading information on the rights and individual liabilities of travelling citizens.

 

Thanks to the Osservatorio sulla Pubblicità Ingannevole (Observatory on Misleading Advertising) created in an attempt to challenge the manipulation, falsification or exaggeration of the advertising messages developed by certain manufacturers for their products,MC has reviewed thousands of reports submitted by individual consumers.

 

In terms of Transportation, MC has launched the “Diritti sui binari” campaign, aimed at informing railway travellers of the rights they acquire whenever they purchase a rail ticket. MC makes available a toll-free number (800.774.770) and a dedicated e-mail address where to report any violation of traveller rights. MC has also has published online information on the law provisions in this field, a petition to convert bonuses into cash refunds.

 

MC is also particularly committed in the field of the Environment, where it has carried out a research to test energy saving initiatives and development of new energy sources in Italian schools.

 

MC is engaged in the field of Telephone communications, helping thousands of consumers to file complaints, make settlements with telephone companies, and also monitoring the compliance of telephone companies with the law. MC also promotes collective actions aimed at obtaining the removal of vexatious clauses from telephone contracts or the prevention of illegal behaviours.

 

 

Consumers' magazine: the monthly magazine of Movimento Consumatori, that comes with the weekly magazine "Vita", proposes each month a dossier on hot issues, news, interviews and useful information for consumer citizens. Subscription is free for MC members.

The "MC Notizie" e-newsletter proposes each week updates on the activities and initiatives of Movimento Consumatori, the latest news on consumptions and promotions, partner agreements and services offered by our associations. Point your browser at http://www.movimentoconsumatori.it/news-letter.asp to receive it. Registration is free and easy, and you can sign off anytime.

 

 

The www.movimentoconsumatori.it website is a complete and updated tool with news about MC and the world of consumerism, about the initiatives and projects of the association, in-depth reviews, press releases and useful services to consumer citizens (such as the search engines on equivalent drugs and third-party liability car insurance).

 

 

Movimento Consumatori funds its activities through membership fees and the participation in projects commissioned by public institutions such as the European Union, the government, the Regions, the Provinces and the Municipalities.

ü you may call our main offices at 06/4880053, or

ü visit the www.movimentoconsumatori.it website, or

ü write us at info@movimentoconsumatori.it

 

As a member, you will receive our news and have access to specialist advice in various fields, made available by the various offices and windows that make up our organisation.