Driving Change: What ETI members achieved in 2025

As the year draws to a close, it is worth taking stock of what ETI members — companies, NGOs and trade unions — have achieved together. In a period marked by diluted and delayed due diligence legislation, geopolitical turbulence and growing pressure on supply chains, our members have shown that responsible business is both essential and achievable when backed by practical tools, shared learning and coordinated action. Their progress demonstrates the practical value of being part of a trusted alliance that translates commitment into capability and better outcomes for workers.

Strengthening due diligence where it matters most

Our latest impact report highlights how members have strengthened their human rights due diligence, improved transparency and deepened collaboration on some of the most entrenched challenges in global supply chains. Through new frameworks, guidance and hands-on support,, members have taken practical steps on issues including responsible purchasing practices, just transitions, meaningful stakeholder engagement, forced labour, and gender-based violence and harassment in agriculture, turning commitments into action and driving improvements for workers.

Advancing transparency and accountability

A significant milestone this year was the public release of member progress against the Corporate Transparency Framework. For the first time, ETI published aggregated performance against the CTF, and supporting more transparent, credible human rights due diligence. Making this information visible signals to governments, investors and regulators that ETI members are investing in robust systems that go beyond ‘tick-box’ compliance.

Delivering impact through collective action

Collective action also remained central to our work. ETI’s tripartite model, bringing together businesses, trade unions and NGOs, continues to provide a trusted space for practitioners to engage with diverse perspectives, challenge assumptions and implement practical solutions. Utilising the expertise of our tripartite membership, ETI initiatives enabled access to worker-driven grievance mechanisms, alongside training on social dialogue, climate action and risks of gender-based violence. Workshops and working groups also supported members to align on a shared position on mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence. 

Supporting individual companies to make progress

Alongside collective initiatives, ETI continued providing tailored, hands-on support to individual companies. Through group progression and use of the ETI Progression Framework, members were supported to take practical action on effective human rights due diligence, strengthening alignment with the UN Guiding Principles across areas such as risk assessment, strategy, grievance mechanisms and forced labour. 

Responding to crises and heightened risks

This year also reinforced the importance of ETI’s crisis insight and coordinated response. As supply chains were affected by conflict, climate-related shocks and political instability, members drew on ETI’s analysis, guidance and networks to navigate heightened risks, support impacted workers, and respond responsibly in complex and crisis-affected contexts. None of this progress would have been possible without the expertise and commitment of our membership. Each organisation, whether implementing due diligence, advocating for rightsholders or strengthening worker representation, plays a critical role in shaping responsible business practices globally, and ETI’s role is to convene, equip and amplify that collective impact.

Delivering Strategy 2030

Looking ahead, ETI will implement its new Strategy 2030, developed in consultation with our company, trade union and NGO members. The strategy sets out a clear priorities for collective action, progression and accountability, with worker representation and freedom of association at the heart, alongside a strengthened approach to crises and Base Code violations. ETI will also expand its programme of practical HRDD workshops, peer learning and tools, and continue supporting members to navigate evolving due diligence legislation with clarity and confidence.

Shared responsibility for meaningful change

As we move into 2026, one thing remains clear: meaningful progress on human rights requires shared responsibility. Simple ‘tick-box’ compliance measures don’t create sufficient change and are increasingly recognised as not being credible.  ETI exists to bridge that gap, helping members address real risks, respond to crises, influence policy and deliver improvements that are genuinely meaningful for workers. 

We are grateful to all our members for their dedication, insight and partnership, and we look forward to continuing this vital work together.