Ethical Consumer

Last updated
Ethical Consumer Magazine
FrequencyBi-monthly
FounderRob Harrison and Jane Turner
Founded1989
CompanyEthical Consumer Research Association
Country UK
Based in Manchester, England
LanguageEnglish
Website www.ethicalconsumer.org
ISSN 0955-8608

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]

Contents

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

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Toynbee, Polly (18 December 1996). "Why the green shopper is not being properly served". The Independent . Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  2. ↑ "How can you shop with a conscience?". BBC News . 5 October 1999. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
  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. ↑ Boyle, Dave (2 March 2012). "Fresh Ideas 2 – Good News: A co-operative solution to the media crisis" (PDF). Co-operatives UK . p. 38. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  6. ↑ "Annual Review July 2023" (PDF). Ethical Consumer. 26 July 2023. p. 6. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  7. ↑ "From loo rolls to fashion: how to spend your cash more ethically". The Guardian. August 15, 2020.
  8. ↑ Halbfinger, David M.; Wines, Michael; Erlanger, Steven (July 27, 2019). "Is B.D.S. Anti-Semitic? A Closer Look at the Boycott Israel Campaign" . The New York Times . Archived from the original on 2019-07-27. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  9. ↑ Butler, Sarah (2024-04-02). "Ethical shopping on the rise in UK despite cost of living crisis". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  10. ↑ Thomas, Daniel (October 13, 2020). "Amazon accused of Covid failings as Prime Day begins". BBC News .
  11. ↑ Jones, Rupert (November 30, 2013). "Alternatives to Amazon: MPs spread seasonal boycott message". The Guardian . Retrieved 2024-03-30.
  12. ↑ Brignall, Miles (October 13, 2020). "UK shoppers urged to shun Amazon Prime Day to support small businesses". The Guardian .
  13. ↑ Allen, Katie (December 19, 2012). "'Boycott Amazon' campaign launched". The Bookseller . Retrieved 2024-03-30.
  14. ↑ "Consultancy & Research". eldis.org.
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