EAC QUALITY: Rwanda

CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION OF RWANDA

The Consumers Association of Rwanda (ASCORWA) is an organization which ensures the protection and promotion of consumer’s rights.
The idea of putting in place the association came after a meeting of its members in the early 2000, during which they realized that the problems related to consumption of goods and services were complex and unsolved.

The ASCORWA has come at the right time to take up the challenges of the inexistence of Rwandan organizations dealing with the above issues.

Objectives

To fight by all legal means against the excessive rise in prices on the market;
To protect the consumer’s interests as far as the quality goods and services is concerned, ensure the accuracy of the weights and measures of the products on the market;
To train and to sensitize the consumers in regard to the protection of their rights and the respect their duties;
To find solutions to all the problems which may affect the consumers in Rwanda;
To fully participate the development of our country in partnership with others socio-economic operators.

ASCORWA is member of the Consumers International which is the only independent global campaigning voice for consumers. With over 220 member organizations in 115 countries, Consumers International aims at building a powerful international consumer movement to help protect and empower consumers everywhere.

In Africa, the Regional office of the consumers International counts more than 100 members (Non-Governmental organizations and the semi-public institutions) in 45 countries of the area.

The ASCORWA benefits from its status of being observer within the regional organizations such as the SADEC (Southern African Development Community), the UDEAC (Customs union and Economic of Central Africa), and CEDEAO (the Economic Community of the States of West Africa).