Ethical Consumer

Ethical Consumer Research Association Ltd (ECRA) is a British not-for-profit publisher, research and campaign organisation which publishes information on the social, ethical and environmental behaviour of companies and issues around trade justice and ethical consumption.[1] It was founded in 1989 by Rob Harrison and Jane Turner[2][3][4] and has been publishing the bi-monthly Ethical Consumer Magazine since.[1] Its office is in Manchester.[1]

Ethical Consumer Magazine
FrequencyBi-monthly
FounderRob Harrison and Jane Turner
Year founded1989
CompanyEthical Consumer Research Association
CountryUK
Based inManchester, England
LanguageEnglish
Websitewww.ethicalconsumer.org
ISSN0955-8608

Mission

Ethical Consumer's mission is "making global businesses more sustainable through consumer pressure". Its Manifesto (2018) identifies ten key issues "which could each have a transformative effect on the economic systems within which we live, and which are illustrative of the kind of broader change we are seeking".[5]

History

Ethical Consumer was formed in Hulme, Manchester, UK in 1989. Between 1989 and 2009 it was a worker co-operative,[1] then in 2009 became a not-for-profit multi-stakeholder co-operative consisting of worker members and investor/subscriber members.[6] It is an industrial and provident society.[7]

Company research and ratings

Ethical Consumer researches the social, ethical and environmental records of companies,[1] using media reporting, NGO reports, corporate communications and primary research. Its Corporate Research Database holds ratings for companies on 300 topics in 19 areas in 5 main ethical categories.[8]

Consumer publishing

It publishes a bi-monthly print magazine, Ethical Consumer Magazine, sold via subscription, shops and newsstands, and a consumer website which is partly subscription based. This includes analysis of company and product ethics[1][9] by sector including: Banking Sector, Energy Industry, Fashion, Food & drink, Home & Garden, Supermarkets, Technology and Transport.

It produces reports on products and companies, and lists current boycotts.[1]

It also produces the annual UK Ethical Consumer Markets Report[10] in conjunction (2019) with The Co-operative Bank. This is an annual review of the facts and figures around ethical consumption in the UK.

Campaigning

Ethical Consumer runs consumer oriented campaigns, including a boycott against Amazon.com, Inc. for its use of tax avoidance.[11][12][13][14] It was heavily involved in setting up both the Fair Tax Mark, and the Save Our Bank campaign.

Consultancy work

Ethical Consumer also undertakes consultancy, research and ethical company screenings,[15] primarily for NGOs and third sector clients.

References
  1. Toynbee, Polly (17 September 2011). "Why the green shopper is not being properly served". The Independent. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  2. "BBC News | UK | How can you shop with a conscience?". BBC.
  3. Shanta Barley (14 September 2010). "Vote for your unsung green hero". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  4. Tim Hunt (June 2010). "Workers of the world, co-operate!". RedPepper.org. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  5. "Ethical Consumer Mission and Manifesto". Ethical Consumer. March 28, 2018.
  6. "Ethical Consumer Research Association Limited". ethicalconsumer.org. Retrieved 18 November 2011.d
  7. "Member Structure". ethicalconsumer.org. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  8. "Our Ratings". EthicalConsumer.org. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  9. "From loo rolls to fashion: how to spend your cash more ethically". The Guardian. August 15, 2020.
  10. "The rise and rise of ethical shopping". New Internationalist. December 13, 2017.
  11. "Amazon accused of Covid failings as Prime Day begins". BBC. October 13, 2020.
  12. "Alternatives to Amazon: MPs spread seasonal boycott message". The Guardian. November 30, 2013.
  13. Brignall, Miles (October 13, 2020). "UK shoppers urged to shun Amazon Prime Day to support small businesses". The Guardian.
  14. "'Boycott Amazon' campaign launched". The Bookseller.
  15. "Consultancy & Research". eldis.org.
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