NCJ Number
58671
Date Published
1976
Length
12 pages
Annotation
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ALSACE CONSUMERS' CHAMBER, A FRENCH FEDERATION OF CONSUMER GROUPS, IS OUTLINED, AND ITS VARIOUS ACTIVITIES ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE ALSACE CONSUMERS' CHAMBER IS A BODY OPERATING WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF COMMERCIAL LAW ALONGSIDE THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE CHAMBER OF TRADE, AND THE CHAMBER OF AGRICULTURE. IT DERIVES ITS INCOME FROM PARAFISCAL CHARGES ASSESSED ON CONSUMER EXPENDITURE. ORGANIZED REGIONALLY, THE CHAMBER'S PRINCIPAL FUNCTION IS THAT OF A TECHNICAL TOOL FOR THE ASSOCIATIONS WHICH CREATED IT AND COMPOSE IT. THE CHAMBER DEFENDS ITS MEMBERS IN THE COURTS WHEN NECESSARY AND ACTS AS MEDIATOR OR ARBITRATOR IN MANY DISPUTES. THE MORAL AUTHORITY IT USES REGIONALLY ALLOWS IT TO ACHIEVE A FAIR SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES WHICH WOULD BE MORE DIFFICULT TO RESOLVE IN THE COURTS. TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF ITS SERVICES, THE CONSUMER CHAMBER PUBLISHES A PERIODICAL AND A WEEKLY TELEVISION PROGRAM DEALING WITH CURRENT CONSUMER PROBLEMS. IT ALSO PROVIDES A LEGAL COUNSELING SERVICE WHERE CONSUMERS CAN AIR THEIR GRIEVANCES AND OBTAIN ADVICE AND A PHONE-IN SERVICE. IN CASES OF COLLECTIVE INTEREST, THE CHAMBER REFERS CONSUMERS TO APPROPRIATE ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION. THE CHAMBER FREQUENTLY CONTACTS THE PERSON OF FIRM INVOLVED IN A COMPLAINT WITH A VIEW TOWARD REACHING AN AMICABLE SETTLEMENT. ATTEMPTS TO REACH SUCH SETTLEMENTS ARE LIKELY TO YIELD SATISFACTORY RESULTS IN INDIVIDUAL CASES OF LESSER SIGNIFICANCE. (RCB)