#SwitchedOn

National Consumer Week (NCW) is an annual consumer education campaign run by the Consumer Protection Partnership (CPP). This year, NCW will be held November 28 to December 2, slightly later than in previous years.

NCW has been running since 1989 and has covered different themes each year such as second hand car buying, car boot sales, child care seats, quality of goods and customer care. This year’s theme of ‘Switched On’ is underpinned by research conducted by the Citizens Advice Partnership Knowledge Hub, which has identified a large number of problems with electrical goods. This sector was found to be the most complained about of the unregulated sectors.

There is strong evidence to show that there are significant benefits from seeking redress, but that too often consumers do not do so. While almost half of people who were polled had not sought a solution to a faulty product, those who did overwhelmingly received some form of refund, repair or replacement. However the data also shows that many consumers were "fobbed off" with around half of traders failing to engage with any form of complaint or problem.

To support NCW, CTSI have supplied pocket brochures to local trading standards services who are encouraged to distribute them to local businesses. The brochures aim to make businesses aware of their legal obligations in relation to electrical safety and consumer redress.

Further information and consumer focused materials are available on the Citizens Advice Website.