What is ethical trade?

Ethical trade is about having confidence that the products and services we buy have not been made at the expense of workers in global supply chains enjoying their rights. It encompasses a breadth of international labour rights such as working hours, health and safety, freedom of association and wages. Ethical trade involves companies taking a series of recognised steps to identify problems and improve working conditions, with a focus on continuous improvement over time. The ethical trade movement began in the 1990s when campaigns and media exposés brought attention to the harsh conditions of workers producing clothes, shoes, toys, food and other consumables for multinational companies.