| Scottish Gaelic: Luchd-Cleachdaidh Alba | |
 Logo of Consumer Scotland | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 2022 |
| Type | Non-ministerial government department |
| Jurisdiction | Scotland |
| Headquarters | Meadowbank House, 153 London Road, Edinburgh |
| Annual budget | £2.5 million (2022-23)[1] |
| Agency executives |
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| Website | consumer |
Consumer Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Luchd-Cleachdaidh Alba) is a non-ministerial office of the Scottish Government.[1] It was established in 2022 following the passage of the Consumer Scotland Act 2020 to act as the statutory, independent voice for consumers in Scotland. This act defines the general functions of the organisation:[2]
- 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 consumer advice direct to individuals;[3] 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.[2] It receives funding from two sources: the Scottish Government's annual budget, which is approved by the Scottish Parliament; and levy-funding for specific advocacy activity in the electricity, gas, post and water industries.[4]