Who can join ETI?

ETI membership is open to companies, trade unions and NGOs that source from or work within global supply chains and are genuinely committed to improving the rights and conditions of the workers within them.

For companies, that means organisations that buy or source goods internationally — whether in retail, food and grocery, garments, electronics, hospitality or other sectors — and that are ready to make a serious, ongoing commitment to human rights due diligence across their supply chain. You don't need to have all the answers before you join. What you do need is an honest acknowledgement that risks exist in your supply chain and a genuine willingness to engage with them.

One of the most common reasons companies hesitate before joining ETI is the sense that they're not ready — that their supply chain knowledge isn't complete enough, or that joining before having processes fully in place might expose them to scrutiny. In our experience, this gets it the wrong way round. Joining ETI is precisely how companies build the knowledge and processes they feel they're lacking. The peer community, practical programmes and expert support that membership provides are designed for companies at all stages of the journey, not just those who have already arrived.

ETI membership is also open to trade unions and NGOs who share ETI's commitment to workers' rights and want to be part of a tripartite alliance with genuine influence over corporate practice. Our trade union and NGO members are not passive stakeholders — they are active participants in ETI's governance, programmes and accountability framework, bringing the ground-level knowledge and worker representation that gives ETI its distinctive credibility.

If you're considering joining, we'd encourage you not to wait until conditions feel perfect. The companies that get the most from ETI membership are those that engage early, invest in the community, and treat membership as a genuine commitment rather than a credential. Get in touch and we'll have an honest conversation about what joining involves and what you can expect.

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