Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports, Inc.
FoundedJanuary 1936; 88 years ago (1936-01) (as Consumers Union)
Founders
TypeNonprofit organization
Location
Key people
Marta Tellado (president)[1]
Revenue
$241.7 million (2017)
Employees (2019)
592
Websitewww.consumerreports.org

Consumer Reports (CR), formerly Consumers Union (CU), is an American nonprofit consumer organization dedicated to independent product testing, investigative journalism, consumer-oriented research, public education, and consumer advocacy.[2]

Founded in 1936, CR was created to serve as a source of information that consumers could use to help assess the safety and performance of products.[3] Since that time, CR has continued its testing and analysis of products and services, and attempted to advocate for the consumer in legislative and rule-making areas.[4] Among the reforms in which CR played a role were the advent of seat belt laws,[5] exposure of the dangers of cigarettes,[6] and more recently, the enhancement of consumer finance protection and the increase of consumer access to quality health care.[7] The organization has also expanded its reach to a suite of digital platforms. Consumer Reports Advocacy frequently supports environmental causes, including heightened regulations on auto manufacturers.[8]

The organization's headquarters, including its 50 testing labs, are located in Yonkers, New York, while its automotive testing track is in East Haddam, Connecticut.[9] CR is funded by subscriptions to its magazine and website, as well as through independent grants and donations.[10] Marta L. Tellado is the current CEO of Consumer Reports. She joined the organization in 2014, following her work with the Ford Foundation, with the goal of expanding its engagement and advocacy efforts.[11]

Consumer Reports' flagship website and magazine publishes reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on reporting and results from its in-house testing laboratory and survey research center. CR accepts no advertising, pays for all the products it tests, and as a nonprofit organization has no shareholders. It also publishes general and targeted product/service buying guides.

  1. ^ Haughney, Christine (July 14, 2014). "Ford Foundation Executive to Lead Consumer Reports". The New York Times. New York. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  2. ^ Franklin 2015, p. 141.
  3. ^ Franklin 2015, p. 141-2.
  4. ^ Franklin 2015, p. 142-3.
  5. ^ Silber, Norman Isaac (1983). "The risk of smoking: verifying the tradition of temperance". Test and protest – the influence of Consumers Union. New York: Holmes & Meier. pp. 39–74. ISBN 0841907498.
  6. ^ Silber, Norman Isaac (1983). "Accidents and injuries:testing the automobile industry". Test and protest – the influence of Consumers Union. New York: Holmes & Meier. pp. 75–102. ISBN 0841907498.
  7. ^ Franklin 2015, p. 147.
  8. ^ Franklin 2015, p. 144-147.
  9. ^ Franklin 2015, p. 142.
  10. ^ Franklin 2015, p. 145.
  11. ^ Haughney, Christine (July 14, 2014). "Ford Foundation Executive to Lead Consumer Reports". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 26, 2016.