International Consumer Research & Testing - History

History

ICRT was formally set up as a not for profit association under United Kingdom law in 1990 but it is based on a long tradition of co-operation between independent consumer organisations since the 1960s.

  • 1968 – The first joint tests between the Dutch and Belgian organisations included hairdryers, dishwashers, stereo receivers and model trains. A test of hotels in Majorca was also joined by Germany.
  • 1972 – The name European Testing Group (ETG) was adopted.
  • 1974 – By now twelve organisations were attending ETG meetings including those from The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, UK, France, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland and Austria.
  • 1982 – ETG Secretariat moved to London and an increasing number of collaboarative tests were carried out each year
  • 1990 – A new organisation – International Consumer Research & Testing was created to formalise the arrangements of the ETG.
  • 1991 – First European Commission (EC)-funded project “Comparative Testing in Europe” completed. This laid the basis for discussion about future ICRT EC-funded comparative testing projects.
  • 1992 – First ICRT Guidelines issued
  • 1995 – ICRT became a founder member of the Euro NCAP crash test programme
  • 1999 – Guido Adriaenssens appointed CEO. ICRT now has 26 members
  • 2002 – Nordic Testing Group formed.
  • 2004 – Consumers Union (USA) joins ICRT, Asia-Pacific Regional Group met for the first time
  • 2007–2010 Capacity building in new EU Member States lead to formation of Central & Eastern Europe Regional Group in 2010
  • 2008 – Worldwide test on breakfast cereals published – joined by 30 partners
  • 2010 – Latin NCAP launched
  • 2011 – ICRT has 43 member organisations, launch of Global NCAP

Read more about this topic:  International Consumer Research & Testing

Famous quotes containing the word history:

    What you don’t understand is that it is possible to be an atheist, it is possible not to know if God exists or why He should, and yet to believe that man does not live in a state of nature but in history, and that history as we know it now began with Christ, it was founded by Him on the Gospels.
    Boris Pasternak (1890–1960)

    Philosophy of science without history of science is empty; history of science without philosophy of science is blind.
    Imre Lakatos (1922–1974)

    Tell me of the height of the mountains of the moon, or of the diameter of space, and I may believe you, but of the secret history of the Almighty, and I shall pronounce thee mad.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)