The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), formed in 1997, is a British alliance of companies, NGOs and trade unions operating in the UK, whose aim is to improve labour conditions in the global supply chains which produce goods for the UK market. Backed by the British government, the ETI brings together private companies (most of the biggest British supermarket chains are members), non-governmental development organisations and trade unions to discuss ethical trading, share best practices and work towards implementation of an industry-wide code of conduct throughout supply chains.

The ETI has developed a code of labour practices - the 'Base Code' - reflecting the most relevant international standards with respect to labour practices. All its members are expected to adopt this Base Code, or to adopt their own code as long as it incorporates the ETI Base Code. Members are not expected to be able to implement immediately and effectively the code for all of their activities. They do however accept the principle that the implementation of codes will be assessed through monitoring and independent verification and that improvements should be demonstrable over time. Read the ETI Base Code.

In October 2005, the ETI launched a new agenda to promote trade justice by using members’ trading relationships with their suppliers to protect poor workers around the world. “Lasting improvements will only be achieved if companies start putting ethical trade at the heart of their business activities and stop seeing it as an optional ‘add on’”, according to its director.

Read About A Similar Initiative Which Exists In Norway

Futher Reading

Read the following British Government Website for a good description of ethical trading.

The Report, Conclusions And Background Documents, Including Comparative Analysis Of The Main Environmental And Social Certification Programmes In The Banana Sector, Of The Ad Hoc Expert Meeting On Socially And Environmentally Responsible Banana Production And Trade Held By The FAO In Rome On 22-24 March 2000. The meeting gathered experts from various environmental and social certification programmes, small banana growers, auditors and consultants.

Website

The Ethical Trading Initiative

Other Ideas: 

Read Joanna Blythman's article "So Just How Unethical Is Your Supper?" for some examples of products which are not ethically sourced or traded, then follow the links to "Is This The Most Ethical Meal On Earth?" to find examples of ethically sourced products; from yoghurt to sea bass, wine and bananas