INDEPENDENT CONSUMERS UNION (ICU) OF AZERBAIJAN Mission of the organization: Consumer rights protection; Protection of countrys market from low-quality products and services; Enlightenment activities among consumers.

Brief info:ICU has more than 20 000 members and 30 regional departments.

Since 1998 ICU is a member of Consumer International (CI).

By the initiative of ICU, Caucasian Federation of consumer organizations was established in 1990.

We are consumers! Our voice should be heard at the highest governmental level!Street rally in the center of Baku.

PROJECTS OF UNICEF

Geography of Monitoring

Iodination of salt.Production of non iodized salt under different trade marks. Radical measures for prevention of non iodized salt sale.

II. Flour fortification.

I. Iodination of salt Dynamics of situation change of iodized salt consumption in households.

Dynamics of situation change of iodized salt in the market

Production of non iodized salt under different trade marksimitation of

imitation of

others

Radical measures for prevention of non iodized salt sale100 articles were published, 20 TV and radio programs with antiadvertisement content were transmitted;

Abandonment of business on Azadlig street 909, producing 10 types of non iodized salt; Exception from sale and on public elimination of over 30 tons of non iodized salts;

Appeal to the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Internal Affairs with call to end the sale of non iodized salt.

II.Flour fortification Usage of fortified flour in households (in 2004)

1

0.195

0.805

1

fortified19.50%

non fortified80.50%

1

2

3

Sale of fortified flour in the market

1

0.250.75

0.280.72

0.250.75

fortified

non fortified

2

0.250.75

0.280.72

1

June25%75%

July28%72%

August25%75%

1

2

3

PROBLEMSAbsence of the state policy and strategy on consumer rights protection;Absence of regulations on exception of low-quality goods from sale;Presence of one-sided state policy of market development, ignoring interests of consumers; Poor information distribution among consumers.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!

ICU AZERBAIJAN

Tel. (994 12) 441 28 33; 449 89 95; Fax: (994 12) 441 28 33 Email: eyub@consumer.baku.az http://icu.iatp.az