Through testimony and comments to legislative and regulatory bodies, legal action, issues management, and media outreach, Consumer Alert staff, board members, and Advisory Council members promote the consumer value of a market economy and point to government policies that restrict consumer access to information, consumer choice and competition, raise costs for consumers, and, in some cases, negatively affect their health and safety. In evaluating consumer health and safety issues, Consumer Alert promotes the need for sound science and sound economic data in public policy decisions.
Consumer Education
Consumer Alert is dedicated to providing "news consumers can use" through our Commonsense Consumer Column and our Web page. The column is designed to help consumers by providing useful facts and suggestions on such consumer topics as taxes, food safety, the environment, and financial concerns.(Additional consumer issues)
Publications
Consumer Alert publishes a bi-monthly newsletter, Consumer Comments, which updates readers on consumer issues and Consumer Alert's recent work. It also provides a forum for the viewpoints of public policy experts. Another publication of Consumer Alert is the CPSC Monitor, which reports on the activities of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The On the Plate newsletter evaluates current policies and new proposals relating to food issues on the basis of sound science, risk assessment, and their impact on consumers. Consumer Alert also writes a monthly column for Consumers' Research Magazine.
Comments and Petitions
Consumer Alert frequently submits formal comments and petitions to regulatory agencies to help guide policy decisions that affect consumers. Consumer Alert serves as a representative voice for its members and for market-oriented solutions to consumer concerns in the regulatory arena. Consumer Alert also formally petitions government agencies for regulatory change.
Coalition Building
Consumer Alert operates the National Consumer Coalition, which is comprised of 24 public policy organizations. Members of the coalition participate in various events. The coalition advances solutions to real consumer problems and seeks the most cost-effective manner in which to achieve desired results.
Research And Analysis
Consumer Alert conducts research to determine where consumer interests are being abused and analyzes potential reform proposals that would benefit consumers.
Expert Testimony
Consumer Alert representatives are often called upon by federal regulatory agencies and congressional committees to testify on the consumer effects of proposed regulations and legislation. For example, Consumer Alert recently testified before the Senate and House Banking subcommittees and the House subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Hazardous Materials.
Media and Public Outreach
Through frequent press releases, press conferences, and staff interviews with journalists, Consumer Alert provides the media with information about consumer issues. Consumer Alert also writes and distributes op-ed pieces that are published in newspapers throughout the country.