With the emergence of the market economy, a new civil society movement of consumer protection appeared in Latvia. In 1999, non-governmental consumer organisations joined to form the Latvian Association for Consumer Protection (LAPP, PIAA in Latvian) to strengthen the non-governmental consumer movement and coordinate a network of protective NGOs in Latvia.Consumer protection within the European Union is one of PIAA’s key policies. The Association works closely with its extensive network of member organisations across the country to represent the consumers. Its 10 members include independent legal entities, who mainly deal with consumer complaints and the influencing of legislation.