Guidelines on recognizing consumer groups released

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has released new guidelines on recognizing consumer organizations (COs), a move seen to give buyers representation in the development of policies and programs for them.

In a department order set to take effect next Friday, DTI defined a CO as “an organized and independent group that represents a substantial number of consumers, whose membership is voluntary and whose primary objective is to protect the rights of consumers and promote their welfare.”