The appearance of the figure of the consumer in the context of democratic systems prompted the creation of a number of agencies on compliance with the rules of the free market.

Consumer associations are organizations, usually non-governmental, devoted to defending the interests and rights of individuals as consumersThey are governed by Article 51 of the Constitution guarantees that the government should contribute to the protection of consumers and users.

Functions

Consumer associations have as a primary objective to protect the free market and consumers' rights. This focus their functions:

The prevention of risks that could jeopardize their rights.

The consumer information on all topics that might affect them.

Consumer protection on the potential problems that may arise.

Types of Partnerships

In Spain, there are many consumer associations. Some specialize in certain sectors and covering all sorts of other services.

It also differs by its geographical extent, as some acting at the national level and locally. Moreover, the services offered by each will differ from those that merely inform those providing legal advice.

General Associations

They are those that offer assistance to their members in relation to issues of a general nature. They focus their efforts on keeping consumers informed and take care of their training, their legal defense and the protection of their rights.

The most widespread is the OCU, which offers support and advice to its members on all kinds of services. Others, such as the General Association of Consumers (ASGECO) or the Federation of Independent Users-Concumers (president), also struggling for environmental protection, international cooperation and sustainable development.

Support for certain sectors such as housewives, is another of the initiatives of some partnerships. The Spanish Confederation of Organizations of Housewives, Consumers and Users (indebtedness) and UNAE are some of the partnerships that specialize in this sector.

Others, such as the Spanish Confederation of Consumers and Users (CECU) include, in addition to the work of protection and consumer protection, support for disadvantaged groups.

Specific Associations

They focus their work on the information, protection, education and consumer protection in relation to certain services. In Spain there is a large number of associations of this type.

Pertenecen a este grupo, por ejemplo, la Asociación de Usuarios de Bancos, They belong to this group, for example, Users Association of Banks, Banks and Insurance (ADICAE), the National Association of Consumers and Users of Health Services (ASUSALUD), the Association of Users of Communication (AUC) and the Association Use Per Share Shift (AAPTC).

Partnerships associations

Many small consumer cooperatives are grouped around larger bodies that represent them at the national level.

They belong to this group, among others, the Spanish Confederation of Cooperatives of Consumers and Users (HISPACOOP) and the Consumers' Union of Spain (UCE). The latter is formed by consumer groups and users of various provinces.

Remarks

In addition to the aforementioned associations, a public information office for all consumers of any country in the European Union called European Consumer Center (CEC) in Spain. It offers advice and information to consumers on a country other than their own.

There are many other consumer associations at the national level, as well as other autonomic in nature, provincial and even local levels. All of them, ensuring the protection of the rights of its members.