On Wednesday, 9th of November 2011, Science Minister Svenja Schulze and Consumer Minister Johannes Remmel of the German State of North Rhine Westfalia (NRW) signed an agreement with the Consumer Advice Center NRW (Verbraucherzentrale NRW) for the foundation of a Competence Center Consumer Research NRW. In a first step the state government provides 660.000 Euro until 2014 to finance an office and to launch first projects.
The objective of the Competence Center is to enhance consumer research. Questions such as what impact new economic and social circumstance have on individual consumers or how the concept of sustainability is accepted by consumers will be analysed. The objective of the Center is to connect the already existing research infrastructure in NRW.
Both Ministers highlight: “A future-oriented consumer and economic policy needs a theoretical foundation. Yet, until so far there is too little academic research on consumer protection.” Klaus Müller, Director of the Consumer Advice Center NRW, positivly recognized the initiative: “In an increasingly complex world of consumption, consumer policy and consumer advice work should be tailored to the real needs of consumers. This is why we need consumer research. The interdisciplinary Competence Center is a very valuable step into this direction.”
Further information: www.nrw.de/landesregierung/gruenes-licht-fuer-neues-kompetenzzentrum-verbraucherforschung-nrw-11825/
Source: State Government of NRW