THE BOARD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CONSUMER QUESTIONS AND ASSISTANCE TO HELP CONSUMERS IMPROVE THEIR POSITION IN THE MARKETPLACE. IT IS HEADED BY A GOVERNING BOARD OF 12 MEMBERS THAT INCLUDES REPRESENTATIVES OF CONSUMERS, BUSINESS, POLITICAL PARTIES, LOCAL AUTHORITIES, STAFF OF THE BOARD, AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL FOOD ADMINISTRATION. THE BOARD HAS AN ANNUAL BUDGET OF ABOUT $30 MILLION AND EMPLOYS APPROXIAMTELY 275 PERSONS. FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD ARE CARRIED OUT IN NINE WAYS: INVESTIGATING THE SITUATION OF CONSUMERS AND FOCUSING ATTENTION ON CONSUMER GROUPS THAT ARE IN A WEAK POSITION, EXAMINING THE SUPPLY OF GOODS AND SERVICES ON THE MARKET AND CARRYING OUT INQUIRIES AND MAKING TESTS, SUPERVISING THE MARKETING OF FIRMS, DRAWING UP GUIDELINES FOR MARKETING AND THE DESIGN OF PRODUCTS, INFORMING CONSUMERS ABOUT FACTS AND CONDITIONS OF IMPORTANCE TO THEM, ENCOURAGING AND PARTICIPATING IN CONSUMER EDUCATION AND SUPPORTING RESEARCH, MAKING OTHER BODIES AWARE OF CONSUMER PROBLEMS, PROMOTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONSUMER ACTIVITIES BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR REGIONAL CONSUMER ACTIVITIES, AND BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR CARRYING WORK ON A TRIAL BASIS WITHIN THE PUBLIC COMPLAINTS BOARD. AT THE REQUEST OF INDIVIDUAL CONSUMERS, THE PUBLIC COMPLAINTS BOARD SETTLES DISPUTES BETWEEN BUYERS AND SELLERS, PRIMARILY DEALING WITH DEFECTS IN GOODS AND SERVICES. DECISIONS OF THIS BOARD TAKE THE FORM OF RECOMMENDATIONS ON SUCH AREAS AS TRAVEL, MOTOR VEHICLES, DOMESTIC APPLIANCES AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT FOR THE HOME, PLEASURE CRAFT, TEXTILES, FOOTWEAR, LEATHER, AND INSURANCE. IN ADDITION TO THE PUBLIC COMPLAINTS BOARD, SPECIFIC DEPARTMENTS/DIVISIONS OF THE NATIONAL BOARD FOCUS ON SURVEYS AND NEGOTIATIONS, CONSUMER OMBUDSMAN SERVICES, INFORMATION, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND ADMINISTRATION. AN ORGANIZATIONAL CHART OF THE NATIONAL BOARD IS INCLUDED.