Ethical Consumer Explained

Ethical Consumer Magazine
Frequency:Bi-monthly
Founder:Rob Harrison and Jane Turner
Founded:1989
Company:Ethical Consumer Research Association
Country:UK
Based:Manchester, England
Language:English
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]

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

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Polly. Toynbee. Polly Toynbee. Why the green shopper is not being properly served. 18 December 1996. 30 October 2020. The Independent.
  2. Web site: How can you shop with a conscience?. 5 October 1999. BBC News. 2024-03-30.
  3. Web site: Vote for your unsung green hero . 15 December 2011. London. The Guardian. Shanta Barley. 14 September 2010.
  4. Web site: Workers of the world, co-operate!. 15 December 2011. Tim Hunt. RedPepper.org. June 2010.
  5. Web site: Boyle . Dave . Fresh Ideas 2 – Good News: A co-operative solution to the media crisis . 38 . 2 March 2012 . 30 March 2024 . Co-operatives UK.
  6. Web site: Annual Review July 2023 . 30 March 2024 . 6 . Ethical Consumer . 26 July 2023.
  7. Web site: From loo rolls to fashion: how to spend your cash more ethically. August 15, 2020. The Guardian.
  8. Web site: Halbfinger . David M. . Wines . Michael . Erlanger . Steven . Is B.D.S. Anti-Semitic? A Closer Look at the Boycott Israel Campaign . July 27, 2019 . 2024-03-21 . . subscription . https://web.archive.org/web/20190727081359/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/27/world/middleeast/bds-israel-boycott-antisemitic.html . 2019-07-27 . live.
  9. Web site: The rise and rise of ethical shopping. December 13, 2017. New Internationalist.
  10. Web site: Thomas . Daniel . Amazon accused of Covid failings as Prime Day begins . October 13, 2020 . BBC News.
  11. Web site: Jones . Rupert . Alternatives to Amazon: MPs spread seasonal boycott message . November 30, 2013 . . 2024-03-30.
  12. Web site: UK shoppers urged to shun Amazon Prime Day to support small businesses. Miles. Brignall. October 13, 2020. The Guardian.
  13. Web site: Allen . Katie . 'Boycott Amazon' campaign launched . December 19, 2012 . . 2024-03-30.
  14. Web site: Consultancy & Research. eldis.org.

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