ConsumerReports.org is published by Consumers Union, an independent, nonprofit testing and information organization. Since 1936, CU's mission has been to test products, inform the public and protect consumers. We are a comprehensive source for unbiased advice about products and services, personal finance, health and nutrition, and other consumer concerns. Our income is derived solely from the sale of Consumer Reports (in print and online) and other services, and from nonrestrictive, noncommercial contributions, grants, and fees. Consumers Union is governed by a board of 18 directors, who are elected by CU members and meet three times a year. CU's President, James Guest, oversees a staff of more than 450.

Our National Testing and Research Center, in Yonkers, N.Y., is the largest nonprofit educational and consumer product testing center in the world. We buy all the products we test off the shelf, just as you do. We receive no special treatment. We accept no free samples. If a manufacturer sends us a free product, we return it.

We test products in 50 state-of-the-art labs. More than 100 testing experts work in our eight major technical departments--appliances, auto test, chemical, electronics, foods, home environment, public service, and recreation and home improvement. We test cars and trucks at our fully equipped auto-test facility in East Haddam, Conn. We also survey our millions of readers to bring you information on the reliability of hundreds of auto models and of major products such as appliances and electronic gear. Reader-survey data also help us rate insurance and other consumer services.

Consumer Reports magazine alone has 4 million subscribers. We reach millions more consumers through ConsumerReports.org, our travel and health newsletters, radio programs, television programs, car price services, and fax service. For more information, see Our products.

Your safety is a priority. Our research and testing uncovered dangers that led to the Flammable Fabrics Act, the Child Protection and Toy Safety Act, and many product recalls, government standards, and regulations. Check Recalls on this site to learn of hazardous consumer products. All product safety-related reports are free to all visitors.

Consumers Union operates three Advocacy offices--in Washington, D.C., Austin, Texas, and San Francisco--that work on consumers' behalf on such issues as health care, food safety, financial services, and product safety. They testify before Federal and state legislative and regulatory bodies, petition government agencies, and file lawsuits on behalf of consumers. The Consumer Policy Institute, at CU's Yonkers, N.Y., headquarters, conducts research and education projects on such issues as biotechnology, toxic air pollution, community right-to-know laws, and food safety.