Consumer Reports® and ConsumerReports.org® are published by Consumers Union, an expert, independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves. To achieve this mission, we test, inform, and protect. To maintain our independence and impartiality, CU accepts no outside advertising, no free test samples, and has no agenda other than the interests of consumers. CU supports itself through the sale of our information products and services, individual contributions, and a few noncommercial grants. Consumers Union is governed by a board of 18 directors, who are elected by CU members and meet three times a year. CU's President, James Guest, oversees a staff of more than 450.


How we test

Our National Testing and Research Center, in Yonkers, N.Y., is the largest nonprofit educational and consumer product testing center in the world. We buy all the products we use as test samples. We receive no special treatment. We accept no free samples. If a manufacturer sends us a free product, we return it.

More than 100 testing experts work in seven major technical departments--appliances, auto test, baby & child, electronics, foods, health & family, and recreation & home improvement, while more than 25 research experts work in three departments--product acquisition, product information, and statistics & quality management. In addition, we have more than 150 anonymous shoppers throughout the country. We test cars and trucks at our fully equipped auto-test facility in East Haddam, Conn. We also survey our millions of readers to bring you information on the reliability of hundreds of auto models and of major products such as appliances and electronic gear. Reader-survey data also help us rate insurance and other consumer services.


How we inform

Consumer Reports magazine alone has about 4 million subscribers. We reach millions more consumers through ConsumerReports.org, our CR Money Adviser newsletter, our health newsletter and Web site www.consumerreportsonhealth.org, radio programs, television programs, auto price services, and New Car Buying Kit. For more information, see Our products.


How we protect

Your safety is a priority. Our research and testing uncovered dangers that led to the Flammable Fabrics Act, the Child Protection and Toy Safety Act, and many product recalls, government standards, and regulations.

Consumers Union operates three Advocacy offices—in Washington, D.C., Austin, Texas, and San Francisco—that work on consumers' behalf on such issues as health care, food safety, financial services, and product safety. They testify before Federal and state legislative and regulatory bodies, petition government agencies, and file lawsuits on behalf of consumers. The Consumer Policy Institute, at CU's Yonkers, N.Y., headquarters, conducts research and education projects on issues of importance to consumers such as biotechnology, food safety and labeling, recycling, and sustainable consumption. For more information, see www.ConsumersUnion.org.