Verein für Konsumenteninformation

The Verein für Konsumenteninformation (VKI) is an Austrian non-profit consumer protection organisation founded in early 1961 by the Austrian social partners. Its mission is independent and objective consumer information and the promotion of consumer interests. Headquartered in Vienna's 6th district (Mariahilf), it operates a main office at Linke Wienzeile 18 and a regional office in Innsbruck, Tyrol. The VKI describes itself as independent, objective and free of economic interests, and it is one of the most trusted consumer voices in Austria. The VKI's core activities include publishing the test magazine KONSUMENT, which contains comparative product and service tests; producing more than 100 product tests per year in cooperation with independent laboratories; publishing consumer guides through its own publishing house; and providing personal, telephone and electronic advice to consumers. It also intervenes with companies on behalf of consumers and runs collective actions (Sammelaktionen) and model proceedings (Musterprozesse) that have helped shape Austrian consumer law. In 2025 alone, the VKI reports having won 39 million euros for consumers through its collective actions. Ownership and governance reflect its social-partner origins. The ordinary member is the Kammer für Arbeiter und Angestellte (Chamber of Labour), while the Republic of Austria, represented by the Federal Minister for Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection, is an extraordinary member. The Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) left the association in December 2016, after the Economic Chamber and the Agricultural Chamber had already exited following more than 52 years of membership. Around 72% of the VKI's funding is self-generated, mainly through the sale of publications, with the remaining 28% contributed by members. Internationally, the VKI cooperates with organisations such as International Consumer Research & Testing (UK) and Stiftung Warentest (Germany), and is a member of ANEC, BEUC, Consumers International and the TransAtlantic Consumer Dialogue. It also publishes verbraucherrecht.at, focused on consumer law, and europakonsument.at, the European Consumer Centre Austria. In 2021, marking its 60th anniversary, the VKI launched the VKI Prize for Young Journalism, and since 2020 it has awarded the negative KONSUM-Ente prize for misleading food packaging and shrinkflation.

The Verein für Konsumenteninformation was founded in early 1961 by the Austrian social partners. Initially it operated only an advice centre on Mariahilfer Straße in Vienna. In the same year, on the initiative of employee (and later managing director) Fritz Koppe, the test magazine Konsument was published for the first time. Since 1975 the Republic of Austria has been an extraordinary member of the association. From 1990 to January 2017, Peter Kolba headed the legal department. In December 2016 the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) dissolved its membership; previously the Economic Chamber and the Agricultural Chamber had left after more than 52 years of membership. The VKI has since continued as a non-profit association with the Chamber of Labour as ordinary member and the Republic of Austria as extraordinary member. It has expanded its activities to include collective actions, model proceedings, webinars, and international cooperation. In 2021, for its 60th anniversary, it launched the VKI Prize for Young Journalism. Since 2020 it has awarded the negative KONSUM-Ente prize for misleading packaging and shrinkflation.

• 2021

  60th anniversary; VKI Prize for Young Journalism launched.

• 2020

  First awarding of the negative KONSUM-Ente prize.

• 2016

  ÖGB dissolves its membership; Economic Chamber and Agricultural Chamber had already left.

• 1990

  Peter Kolba becomes head of the legal department (until January 2017).

• 1975

  Republic of Austria becomes an extraordinary member of the association.

• 1961

  Founded by the Austrian social partners; first issue of Konsument magazine published.

Independent, objective and free of economic interests; a trusted consumer protection organisation in Austria.

• KONSUMENT magazine

  Test magazine published by VKI, available in print and online for subscribers.

• Consumer guides and books

  Published through VKI's own publishing house.

• Product tests

  Over 100 product tests per year conducted with independent laboratories.

• Consumer advice

  Personal, telephone and electronic advice on consumer rights.

• Collective actions and model proceedings

  Legal actions to help consumers enforce their rights.

1. 1Startseite | VKIvki.at
2. 2myVKI - Kontakt | VKIvki.at
3. 3Verein für Konsumenteninformationde.wikipedia.org
4. 4Wikidatawikidata.org