Definition of OCU (Spain)

In any advanced society, consumers must be correctly informed of their rights, obligations and everything that may affect them. For this to be possible there are consumer associations and in the case of Spain the OCU is one of them. Its acronym specifically means Consumer and User Organization.

What does the OCU do?

It is a totally independent and non-profit association. Their task is to objectively inform all consumers about all kinds of products or services.

Those who are members of this entity have the legal advice of the OCU and, at the same time, receive advice to make any type of claim or complaint in relation to the product or service acquired.

One of its objectives is to prevent and prosecute fraud in any of its forms. In this sense, the OCU verifies that the information provided to the consumer be truthful and reliable. To make this possible, all kinds of checks are carried out in the laboratories of this entity.

One of the purposes of the OCU is to raise awareness in society as a whole about everything related to

consumption. It should not be forgotten that the consumer is interested in several issues when purchasing a product or service: quality, the price and the authenticity.

Among the specific tasks that the OCU performs, we can highlight the following: comparative analysis of different commercial brands, periodic studies on the basket of purchase, complaints in court about fraudulent activities, satisfaction surveys of customers who receive a specific service or information campaigns in the means of communication.

In the case of studies on the shopping basket, they are especially important because thanks to them consumers have a tool to improve your ability to save. Regarding the actions of complaint before the courts of Justice, the Supreme Court has declared invalid some banking clauses that were denounced by the OCU.

The OCU's activity is related to consumers, producers and the administration

The OCU's activity has three obvious consequences:

1) the consumer knows that he has the support of this entity,

2) the producers know that if they carry out illegal practices, the OCU can act against them and

3) the public authorities that supervise the compliance of the laws related to consumption know that the OCU is an independent body and its guidelines are useful to correct deficiencies that occur in the market.

On conclusion, it could be said that the OCU acts as an independent arbitrator at the service of the consumer and of society as a whole.

Photos: Fotolia - learchitecto / valentint

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