The CCA monitors the effective implementation of the legislation and regulations regarding consumer protection and consumer rights in Cyprus, provides information on Cyprus law regarding consumer protection in accordance with the acquis communautaire, provides information on consumers rights and responsibilities, promotes consumer education through its Adults Consumers Education Programme, handles complaints by consumers on faulty, damaged or unsatisfactory quality of products and services, provides a reading library on consumer publications such as WHICH (UK), Consumer Reports (USA), Consumer Choice (Ireland), issues publications, such as 'O Katanalotis', the association's quarterly magazine, which is sent to its members free of charge, and other informative brochures, provides Consumer-related services, lectures, conducts comparative market surveys aimed at providing vital information and insight to the consumers.

The CCA's sources of funding come from governmental subsidies, membership subscriptions, contributions / donations and Fundraising activities (tea gatherings with a speaker, small scale lottery and dinner-dance functions).

The Cyprus Consumers Association is governed by an 18-member Council (President, Vice-President, General Secretary, Treasurer and 14 members). All Council members offer their services voluntarily. The Council is responsible for the direction of the work of the Association. The Council meets twelve times a year and there is an Annual General Meeting each year. The Association employs three full-time officers in Nicosia, and two part-time officers, one in Limassol and one in Larnaca

As a non-profit, non-governmental organization we are independent of any political, commercial or other vested interests. Our Council members are elected during the General Assembly every two years and ensure that they perform their duties with transparency, integrity, objectivity and accountability.

Anyone can apply to become a Member.

The Association publishes its quarterly magazine 'Ο Καταναλωτής' (The Consumer), which is posted to all members free of charge. All Members are also invited to attend the Annual General Meeting each year. This is an opportunity to put questions to the President, Council members, Director and other senior members of staff. Members can also vote in annual Council elections. They can even stand for election themselves. All Members receive a copy of the Annual Report and Accounts.

Approximately 1,400

The annual subscription is CYP £ 8.

Please complete the application form or click the Become a Member of CCA banner. You can either send it electronically or print the form and send it to us by fax or mail at Cyprus Consumers Association, P.O.Box 24874, 1304 Nicosia, Cyprus. It is important that all applications sent by fax or mail are signed. Upon receipt of your application our Admission's Officer will notify you regarding the payment method.

Before filing a complaint, try contacting a representative of the business in order to discuss your problem with that person and work towards finding a satisfactory resolution to your problem. If you are unable to do that you can complete a complaint form or click the File a Complaint banner for one. You can either send it electronically or print the form and send it to us by fax or mail at Cyprus Consumers Association, P.O.Box 24874, 1304 Nicosia, Cyprus. It is important that all forms sent by fax or mail are signed. Upon receipt of your form our Consumer Complaint's Officer will notify you regarding the next steps to be taken. Please be sure to have ready copies of relevant documents (for example, canceled checks, contracts or correspondence) as well as the faulty product itself if available.

The Consumer Protection Service of CCA is responsible for protecting the public in Cyprus from fraudulent or unethical business practices through the provision of information on consumer rights, the promotion of education and whenever possible mediation between consumers and businesses.

World Consumer Rights Day is observed every year on 15th March. On this day the then US President, John F Kennedy, made a landmark speech. He was the first one to identify and endorse the concept of consumer rights. With the adoption of the UN guidelines in 1985, consumer rights have been accepted in principle by governments the world over. Since then World Consumer Rights Day has been observed every year.

The School of Adult Consumer Education of the Cyprus Consumers Association was founded in 1990.

The vision of the School is to offer as many interested consumers as possible, men, women and children alike, specific information, knowledge and skills, which will permit them to exercise a reasonable choice among the goods and services, offered on the market, which are most suited to their desire and economic interest. It also considers their concerns with hygiene, safety, food and health and the environment. It offers them knowledge regarding the existing laws of consumer protection as well as their rights and responsibilities.

The School has branches in Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Dherynia.

The curriculum is divided in three sections/courses; one year's attendance is needed for each section/course.

> The first course includes topics about food in general,
Food and Health - food, nutrients, body needs Food Safety - bacterial contamination, food additives, pesticide use, pesticide residues in food, food storage, convenience foods Purchasing food - quality, prices, labeling, advertising, choice, substitutes

> The second course includes topics mainly about consumer protection,

• Consumer rights
• Existing Cyprian laws protecting the consumer
• Standards
• Family budgeting
• Personal and social needs

> The third course includes topics about services offered to the consumer,

• Government services - cost of living allowance, VAT, social security, public health, education, services to the aged
• Private sector services - banks, co-operatives, after sales services, electricity, municipal services.

Anyone can apply to become a student in the Schools.

The lecturers of the School of Adult Consumer Education are professionals from the public and private sector who believe in the Cyprus Consumers Association's consumer education policy and are convinced that today's consumers require greater knowledge and skills than ever before.

The curriculum is divided in three sections/courses; one year's attendance is needed for each section/course.

Tuition in the Schools is free.

Please complete the application form or click the Become a Member of the School of Adult Consumer Education banner. You can either send it electronically or print the form and send it to us by fax or mail at Cyprus Consumers Association, P.O.Box 24874, 1304 Nicosia, Cyprus. It is important that all applications sent by fax or mail are signed. Upon receipt of your application our Admission's Officer will notify you regarding the School functions.