The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) is the umbrella group in Brussels for 45 independent consumer organisations. Our main role is to represent them to the EU institutions and defend the interests of European consumers. Our daily work involves making sure the EU takes policy decisions that improve the lives of consumers. This covers a range of topics including competition, consumer rights, digital rights, energy, redress and enforcement, financial services, food, health, safety, sustainability and trade policy. Our acronym originates from our French name, ‘Bureau Européen des Unions de Consommateurs’. We were founded in 1962 by consumer groups from six Member States of, what was then, the European Economic Community (EEC). Nowadays our members are from 26 EU Member States as well as Iceland, North Macedonia, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.