Definition of the Consumer Federation of America
The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) is a not-for-profit organization that strives to use a combination of research, education and service to promote the rights of consumers in America. One goal of the CFA is to oversee various corporations to ensure their business practices are in the best interests of the consumer.
Other People Are Reading
-
Method
-
The CFA conducts investigations involving business practices and consumer behavior through focus groups and polls. The CFA then works to spread the information it collects to consumers through programs, advertising, books and conferences. As a service organization, the CFA provides a variety support to local, state and national consumer advocacy organizations to allow them to better spread their own messages.
Membership
-
There are roughly 300 not-for-profit organizations that fall under the CFA's umbrella, giving the entire federation about 50 million members. Each member pays annual dues, which can be as low as $100 and as high as $20,000 depending on the person's role with the federation. Members elect a board of directors that steers the group's focus.
-
Political Slant
-
While not directly associated with any political party, the CFA is, according to the Weekly Standard, a liberal organization due to its membership makeup, which includes prominent liberals such as Ralph Nader. The CFA's headquarters are in Washington, D.C., putting the federation squarely in the country's political center.
State Chapters
-
The CFA has chapters in every state (such as the Consumer Federation of California) that work exclusively on consumer affairs there. While each chapter is led by its own board, the groups share information with one another and work toward a common goal if there is a consumer affair that concerns the entire country.
ATV cause
-
A leading cause of the CFA since the 1980s has been to urge the federal government to regulate the all-terrain vehicle industry. The CFA argues that the ATV industry has a poor safety record and has been the cause of a rising number of deaths and injuries that can be prevented if ATVs were banned or, barring a ban, regulated more stringently. While studies have shown deaths attributed to ATVs declining throughout the years, spokespeople for the CFA still believe stringent ATV regulation is required.
-
