1. National Institute for Consumer Research www.sifo.no

2. Organisational foundation Non-bias governmental institute conducting consumer research and testing. Legal status as ‘public administrative body’. The board of directors is appointed by the Ministry of Children and Family Affairs which also provides the basic funding. © www.clipart.com

3. Financing 1.Basic funding (approx. 66 %) 2.Project grants (approx. 20 %) –The Research Council of Norway –Nordic Council of Ministers –European Union 3.Other assignments (approx. 14 %) –Public organisations –Private companies © www.clipart.com

4. EU-projects Surface Temperatures DEEP ToolSust Fire Hazards Laundry Habits OMIaRD Organic HACCP Trust in Food Welfare Quality TRUST EMUDE © www.clipart.com Risk problems with high surface tempe- rature on consumer products Developing effective and efficient pro- duct information The involvement of stakeholders to de- velop and implement tools for sus- tainable households in the city of tomorrow Fire hazard of clothes related to acci- dents and consumer habits An investigation into the domestic laundry habits in Europe Organic marketing initiatives and rural development Recommendations for improved proce- dures for securing consumer oriented food safety and quality of certified or- ganic foods from plough to plate Social and Institutional conditions for the production of trust Integration of animal welfare in the food quality chain: from public concern to im- proved welfare and transparent quality Food risk communication and con- sumers’ trust in the food supply chain Emerging user demands for sustainable solutions

5. Key figures 20002001200220032004 Basic funding (mill. NOK)16,917,418,520,321,9 Total income (mill. NOK) 31,428,730,232,2  35 Number of employees58 54 55 4948 © www.clipart.com

6. Areas of expertise Forbruker- politikken Markedene Produktene Forbrukerne © www.clipart.com

7. Main disciplines  Sociology  Anthropology  Ethnology  Political science  Economics  Social geography  Nutritional science  Chemistry  Engineering  Computer science © www.clipart.com

8. Research methods Quantitative methods –surveys –statistical analyses –testing and measurements Qualitative methods –focus groups / panel discussions –discourse analyses –literature studies –interviews –observations © www.clipart.com

9. Organisation Research groups: – Technology and Environment – Consumption and Economy – Market and Politics In addition: –Administrative Services –Information Technology –Public Relations © www.clipart.com

10. Test laboratories Testing of textiles –physical and mechanical qualities –colour ekthet –Washing –fire Testing of household appliances –energy consumption –functionality –use and effect of detergents –noise measurements Testing of household chemicals –washing effect –environmental labels nnn © www.clipart.com

11. Dissemination  SIFO-reports  Articles in national and international journals  Conference papers and presentations  Internet publishing  Features in TV- and radio programmes  Books  Lectures and talks  Interviews  Chronicles © www.clipart.com