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 issues around
trade justice
Trade justice is a campaign by non-governmental organisations, plus efforts by other actors, to change the rules and practices of world trade in order to promote fairness. These organizations include consumer groups, trade unions, faith groups, ...
and
ethical consumption.
It was founded in 1989 by Rob Harrison and Jane Turner and has been publishing the bi-monthly ''Ethical Consumer Magazine'' since.
Its office is in Manchester.
History
Ethical Consumer was formed in
Hulme
Hulme () is an inner city area and electoral ward of Manchester, England, immediately south of Manchester city centre. It has a significant industrial heritage.
Historically in Lancashire, the name Hulme is derived from the Old Norse word ...
,
Manchester
Manchester () is a city in Greater Manchester, England. It had a population of 552,000 in 2021. It is bordered by the Cheshire Plain to the south, the Pennines to the north and east, and the neighbouring city of Salford to the west. The t ...
, UK in 1989. Between 1989 and 2009 it was a
worker co-operative,
then in 2009 became a not-for-profit multi-stakeholder
co-operative consisting of worker members and investor/subscriber members. It is an
industrial and provident society
An industrial and provident society (IPS) is a body corporate registered for carrying on any industries, businesses, or trades specified in or authorised by its rules.
The members of a society benefit from the protection of limited liability ...
.
Company research and ratings
Ethical Consumer researches the social, ethical and environmental records of companies,
using media reporting,
NGO
A non-governmental organization (NGO) or non-governmental organisation (see spelling differences) is an organization that generally is formed independent from government. They are typically nonprofit entities, and many of them are active in h ...
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
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.
It also produces the annual UK Ethical Consumer Markets Report in conjunction (2019) with
The Co-operative Bank
The Co-operative Bank plc is a retail and commercial bank in the United Kingdom, with its headquarters in Balloon Street, Manchester.
The Co-operative Bank is the only UK high street bank with a customer-led Ethical Policy which is incorporat ...
. 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
Tax avoidance is the legal usage of the tax regime in a single territory to one's own advantage to reduce the amount of tax that is payable by means that are within the law. A tax shelter is one type of tax avoidance, and tax havens are jurisdi ...
.
Consultancy work
Ethical Consumer also undertakes consultancy, research and ethical company screenings,
primarily for NGOs and third sector clients.
See also
*
Alter-globalisation
Alter-globalization (also known as alternative globalization or alter-mundialization—from the French alter- mondialisation—and overlapping with the global justice movement) is a social movement whose proponents support global cooperation and ...
*
Anti-globalisation movement
The anti-globalization movement or counter-globalization movement, is a social movement critical of economic globalization. The movement is also commonly referred to as the global justice movement, alter-globalization movement, anti-globalist m ...
*
Business ethics
*
Fair trade
*
Green brands Green brands are those brands that consumers associate with environmental conservation and sustainable business practices.
Such brands appeal to consumers who are becoming more aware of the need to protect the environment. A green brand can add a ...
References
External links
*
{{Consumer protection
1989 establishments in the United Kingdom
Anti-corporate activism
Bi-monthly magazines published in the United Kingdom
Business ethics organizations
Consumer magazines
Contemporary philosophical literature
Co-operatives in England
Ethical consumerism
Ethics literature
Magazines established in 1989
Magazines published in Manchester
Non-profit publishers
Consumer organisations in the United Kingdom
Research organisations in the United Kingdom
Social responsibility organizations