Consumer Reports (CR) celebrated its 75th birthday on
October 28, 2011. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports is the world's largest
independent product-testing organization. The esteemed, independent, nonprofit
is celebrating its history of helping consumers make more informed purchasing
decisions and advocating for a safer and more consumer-friendly marketplace.
“As we look forward
to the next 75 years, our mission remains the same and as relevant as ever: to
be a catalyst for marketplace change and to empower consumers to make smarter
purchasing decisions so their hard earned dollars can stretch even
farther," said Jim Guest, president and CEO of Consumer Reports.
"We'll reach consumers wherever and whenever they need us by leveraging
new technologies such as shopping apps, and social media, and by being in the
marketplace when they need us."
Consumer Reports Marketplace Successes:
Safety Belts: CR's consistent emphasis to its readers in the
1950s and 1960s to buy and wear their seat belts potentially saved many of
their lives.
Cigarettes: CR's coverage was used by the Surgeon General's
Advisory Committee on Smoking and Health in drafting the committee's 1964
landmark report—warning of the dangers of cigarettes.
Toy Safety: Consumers Reports' toy tests contributed to the
1969 passage of the Child Protection and Toy Safety Act. The organization was
also instrumental in the passage of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act
of 2008.
Vehicle Safety: CR's engineers judged the 2010 Lexus GX 460
SUV a Don't Buy: Safety Risk in April 2010 after its rear slid out almost sideways
during one of our standard emergency handling tests. The designation was lifted
in May 2010 after recall work corrected the problem.
Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey
research center, the nonprofit entity rates thousands of products and services
annually. CR’s advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform,
food and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in
Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace. For 75 years Consumer
Reports has diligently sought to protect us, the consumers. Thank you and Happy
75th Birthday!
