The formation of the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe can be traced to as far back as 1955 and it was spurred by economic problems resulting from increased cost of living and violation of manufacturing standards.
The formation was spearheaded by two prominent Women’s Organizations, which had active interest in consumer issues. These were the National Women’s Organization and the Federation of Women’s Institute.
The then Salisbury Consumer Movement group was aimed at ensuring that consumers would not only get value for their money, but that primary producers and manufacturers produced items of high standard which could compete with imported processed foods and manufactured goods.
It is against this background that the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) was born in the structure we know today on the 5th of December 1975. Over the years, the organization has expanded and restructured its policies in order to enhance its effectiveness. Its four major areas of concentration are complaints handling, consumer education, lobbying and advocacy, and research.