Media FAQs

Some frequently asked questions about ETI:
(updated March 2007)

Who are we?

ETI is a diverse alliance established in 1998 that collectively works together to improve the lives of workers in global supply chains. As at May 2007 we have 40 corporate members including Asda, The Body Shop, Boots, the Co-op, Gap, Primark, London Underground, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s Tesco, Typhoo, and Zara. Trade union and NGO members include ITGLWF, TUC, Oxfam and Christian Aid. [ETI members]

How many workers do we help?

With a combined turnover of over £107 bn, our company members’ efforts to apply the ETI Base Code extend to an estimated 30,000 suppliers, which collectively employ 3.3 million workers. Together our corporate members supply around 70 percent of the UK’s food and groceries and almost 40 percent of its garments.

What exactly do we do?

Our job is to work out how to make sure codes of labour practice – like the ETI Base Code – benefit workers. This includes collectively tackling the many tough and complex questions about how global brands and retailers should go about addressing workers’ rights in their supply chains. It also involves working with our member companies to make sure they improve their performance over time.

What does corporate membership of ETI mean in practice?

When corporate members join ETI, they commit to adopting the ETI Base Code on a progressive basis throughout their supply chains. That doesn’t mean they are perfect, or that their suppliers are perfect - few companies who are really committed to ethical trade would claim they have perfect working conditions in their supply chain. But it does mean they have to demonstrate improvements over time, and they report annually to the ETI Board on their progress. [membership criteria]

What impact do we have?

According to a recent study by the Institute of Development Studies, our members have brought widespread improvements in health and safety, a reduction in the incidence of child labour, better pay and reduced hours. To find out more about the most comprehensive study of the impact of codes to date, go to Reports on the ETI Impact Assessment 2006.

More... 

ETI Media Information Sheets:

Facts about Ethical Trading Initiative
(updated May 2007).

Facts about Ethical Trading Initiative’s key achievements
(updated May 2007).

Elsewhere on our website:

Ethical Trade: What is it? General FAQ.

ETI Library: Key documents.

About ETI.

ETI Activities.