Consobs

Consobs is a global network of independent consumer observation bodies dedicated to collecting, validating, and disseminating data on consumer markets, product safety, and service quality.

The network was established in 2012 by a coalition of non-governmental organizations, academic researchers, and public agencies. It began with regional pilots in Europe and North America and expanded to Asia-Pacific by 2016. Governance is provided by a council composed of member agencies, with a small central secretariat coordinating activities.

Members operate national Consobs offices that compile data locally, share standardized metrics through a central data framework, and publish national reports. The consortium covers topics such as safety incidents, pricing transparency, fraud reporting, and customer satisfaction indicators. It also runs a rapid-alert mechanism for dangerous products.

Outputs include an annual State of Consumers report, real-time dashboards, and benchmarking tools for policymakers.

Methods emphasize data quality, privacy, and comparability, with standardized definitions and anonymized datasets.

The network is widely used by policymakers, researchers, and consumer groups, though funding variability and methodological debates have limited reach in some regions.

See also: consumer protection, market surveillance, data transparency.