| Scottish Gaelic: Luchd-Cleachdaidh Alba | |
 Logo of Consumer Scotland | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 2022 |
| Type | Non-ministerial government department |
| Jurisdiction | Scotland |
| Headquarters | Thistle House, 91 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh [1] [2] |
| Agency executives |
|
| Website | consumer |
Consumer Scotland (Scottish Gaelic : Luchd-Cleachdaidh Alba) is a non-ministerial office of the Scottish Government. [2] It was established in 2022 following the passage of the Consumer Scotland Act 2020 as the statutory independent voice for Scottish consumers. This act defines the general functions of the organisation: [3] [4]
- Reducing harm to consumers in Scotland
- Increasing confidence among consumers in Scotland in dealing with businesses that supply goods and services to consumers
- Increasing the extent to which consumer matters are taken into account by public authorities in Scotland
- Promoting sustainable consumption of natural resources, and other environmentally sustainable practices, in relation to the acquisition, use and disposal of goods by consumers in Scotland
- Otherwise advancing inclusion, fairness, prosperity and other aspects of wellbeing in Scotland.
Consumer Scotland does not provide direct advice to consumers; [5] the office's role is to gather and use data and analysis to represent consumer interests to the Scottish Parliament, business and the public sector. [3] It receives funding from the Scottish Government's annual budget, which is approved by the Scottish Parliament, and levy-funding for specific advocacy activity in the energy, heat networks, post and water industries. [6]
