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Ethical Consumer

Ethical Consumer Research Association Ltd (ECRA) is a British not-for-profit publisher, research, political, and campaign organisation which publishes information on the social, ethical and environmental behaviour of companies and governments 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]

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.[5] It is an industrial and provident society.[6]

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.

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][7] by sector including: Banking Sector, Energy Industry, Fashion, Food & drink, Home & Garden, Supermarkets, Technology and Transport. Some of the causes it supports are more contentious, such as the BDS movement.[8]

It produces reports on products and companies, and lists current boycotts.[1] It also produces the annual UK Ethical Consumer Markets Report[9] in conjunction (2019) with The Co-operative Bank.

Campaigning

Ethical Consumer runs consumer oriented campaigns, including a boycott against Amazon.com, Inc. for its use of tax avoidance.[10][11][12][13]

Consultancy work

Ethical Consumer also undertakes consultancy, research and ethical company screenings,[14] primarily for NGOs and third sector clients.

See also

External links

References

  1. Polly Toynbee. Why the green shopper is not being properly served The Independent, 18 December 1996, retrieved 30 October 2020^
  2. How can you shop with a conscience? BBC News, 5 October 1999, retrieved 2024-03-30^
  3. Shanta Barley. Vote for your unsung green hero The Guardian, 14 September 2010, retrieved 15 December 2011^
  4. Tim Hunt. Workers of the world, co-operate! RedPepper.org, June 2010, retrieved 15 December 2011^
  5. Dave Boyle. Fresh Ideas 2 – Good News: A co-operative solution to the media crisis Co-operatives UK, 2 March 2012, retrieved 30 March 2024^
  6. Annual Review July 2023 Ethical Consumer, 26 July 2023, retrieved 30 March 2024^
  7. From loo rolls to fashion: how to spend your cash more ethically The Guardian, August 15, 2020^
  8. David M. Halbfinger, Michael Wines, Steven Erlanger. Is B.D.S. Anti-Semitic? A Closer Look at the Boycott Israel Campaign The New York Times, July 27, 2019, retrieved 2024-03-21^
  9. Sarah Butler. Ethical shopping on the rise in UK despite cost of living crisis The Guardian, 2024-04-02, retrieved 2025-05-22^
  10. Daniel Thomas. Amazon accused of Covid failings as Prime Day begins BBC News, October 13, 2020^
  11. Rupert Jones. Alternatives to Amazon: MPs spread seasonal boycott message The Guardian, November 30, 2013, retrieved 2024-03-30^
  12. Miles Brignall. UK shoppers urged to shun Amazon Prime Day to support small businesses The Guardian, October 13, 2020^
  13. Katie Allen. 'Boycott Amazon' campaign launched The Bookseller, December 19, 2012, retrieved 2024-03-30^
  14. Consultancy & Research eldis.org, retrieved 2020-03-18^