The independent movement in Latvia was slow to develop. It was not until March 1999, ten years after the foundation of the first Consumer Club in Riga, that a national federation was formed - and this was made possible by the strong influence from European consumer organisations and a one-year grant from the Nordic Council. Up till that time there had been only five separate Clubs and two Landlord and Tenants Associations, two in Riga and five in provincial cities, with rather small memberships of devoted, unpaid activists and no financial resources of their own.

Non-governmental organisations which are de facto considered as consumer organisations are as follows (source: European Commission questionnaire on Institutional relations between public authorities and consumer organisations at national level):

• Club for Protection of Consumer Interests - the first and longest established consumer non-governmental organisation in Latvia. Founded in 1990;
• National Association for Consumer Protection (PIAA) – a federation established uniting Consumer Clubs and Societies from all over Latvia. Founded in 1999.

Consumer NGOs are not receiving any state funding and are operating as complaints-handling and campaigning agencies, carrying out small investigative studies, representing consumers on consultative bodies and working with the government institutions on legislation, and education and information programmes. There is much goodwill and practical co-operation between the government sector and the voluntary organisations.