The Association of Consumers’ Unions is the national organization of consumer organizations and social policy-oriented member associations. These above all include the consumer centers in the federal states. The function of the Association of Consumers’ Unions is to promote consumer interests and support the consumer information activities of its member organizations. In order to improve consumer protection, the Association of Consumers’ Unions is actively involved in many political and^conomic-sector bodies at the national and international level, cultivates close relations with parliaments, and drafts proposals and position papers for legislative initiatives.

Consumer protection has been considerably improved by legislation. The Act on General Terms and Conditions of Contract protects customers from the pitfalls contained in small print; the Consumer Credit Act enables the borrower to cancel a loan and requires information to be provided by the lender; the Foodstuffs Act protects customers from damaging substances in food; the Travel Contract Act forces operators to fulfill their promises; the Product Liability Act makes manufacturers liable for flawed products. The Product Safety Act, which entered into force on 1 August 1997, obligates manufacturers and retailers to put safe products into circulation and empowers the competent authorities to take measures to avert dangers posed by defective products. There are also many other laws to protect consumers.