Ethical Trade

What is ethical trade?

Ethical trade can be defined as business practices that are socially responsible and protect the environment and the rights of workers.

Organisations providing guidance on Principles, Codes and standards are:-

1. Ethical Trade Initiative (ETI) 
2. International Labour Organisation (IL0) 
3. UN Global Compact

Other Initiatives and standards are:-

Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI)
BSCI is a leading business-driven initiative for companies committed to improving working conditions in the global supply chain.

The Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS)
CIPS is dedicated to promoting best practice in the purchasing and supply profession and provides a wide range of services for members and the wider business community.

Corporate Responsibility Group (CRG)
The Corporate Responsibility Group (CRG) is the learning and development network that exists for and is run by corporate responsibility (CR) professionals. It’s a place where CR practitioners can learn from their peers, exchange ideas and access support.

The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI)
The ETI is an alliance of companies, trade unions and voluntary organisations working in partnership to improve the lives of workers across the globe who make or grow consumer goods.

The Fair Factories Clearinghouse (FFC)
FFC is a collaborative industry effort involving retail and consumer brands and retail trade associations to create a system for managing and sharing audit information.

Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO) 
Fairtrade International is made up of 24 organisations working to secure a better deal for producers. The organisation sets  international Fairtrade standards and supports Fairtrade producers.

Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA)
The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) was set up in the UK to protect workers by licensing labour providers in the agriculture, shellfish gathering and food processing and packaging sectors.

Labour users and suppliers have an important role to play in making sure workers continue to be fairly treated through their day-to-day contact with labour providers and workers. This good practice guide for labour users and suppliers sets out the legal requirements for labour users as well recommended best practice.

Global Social Compliance Programme (GSCP)
The Global Social Compliance Programme is a business-driven programme for the continuous improvement of working and environmental conditions in global supply chains. The GSCP provides a global cross-industry platform to promote the exchange of knowledge and best practices in order to build comparability and transparency between existing social compliance and environmental compliance systems.

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) 
GRI is a network-based organisation that pioneered the world’s most widely used sustainability reporting framework.

International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI) 
ICTI and its member associations are committed to the promotion of toy safety standards, to the reduction or elimination of barriers to trade and to the advancement of social responsibility in the industry with programs to address environmental concerns, fair and lawful employment practices and workplace safety.

International Institute for Sustainable Development
IISD champions sustainable development around the world through innovation, partnerships, research and communications.

ITC Standards Map
An online database of the ITC (International Trade Centre), the joint agency of the United Nations and the WTO, which enables analyses and reviews of sustainability standards and audit protocols using a unique set of social, environmental and economic criteria, audit best practices and good governance models. 

Worldwide Responsible Apparel Production (WRAP)
WRAP is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to the certification of lawful, humane and ethical manufacturing throughout the world. The WRAP Principles are basic standards that address labour practices, factory conditions, and environmental and customs compliance.

Some examples of Guide lines for ethical conduct