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 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,
Manchester, UK in 1989. Between 1989 and 2009 it was a
worker co-operative
A worker cooperative is a cooperative owned and Workers' self-management, self-managed by its workers. This control may mean a firm where every worker-owner participates in decision-making in a democratic fashion, or it may refer to one in which ...
,
then in 2009 became a not-for-profit multi-stakeholder
co-operative
A cooperative (also known as co-operative, co-op, or coop) is "an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically-control ...
consisting of worker members and investor/subscriber members. It is an
industrial and provident society.
Company research and ratings
Ethical Consumer researches the social, ethical and environmental records of companies,
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
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. 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.
Amazon.com, Inc. ( ) is an American multinational technology company focusing on e-commerce, cloud computing, online advertising, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence. It has been referred to as "one of the most influential econom ...
for its use of
tax avoidance.
Consultancy work
Ethical Consumer also undertakes consultancy, research and ethical company screenings,
primarily for NGOs and third sector clients.
See also
*
Alter-globalisation
*
Anti-globalisation movement
*
Business ethics
Business ethics (also known as Corporate Ethics) is a form of applied ethics or professional ethics, that examines ethical principles and moral or ethical problems that can arise in a business environment. It applies to all aspects of business co ...
*
Fair trade
Fair trade is an arrangement designed to help producers in developing countries achieve sustainable and equitable trade relationships. The fair trade movement combines the payment of higher prices to exporters with improved social and enviro ...
*
Green brands
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