The Etho Ethical Production Standards
It is important that our sellers value our 7 Core Principles of Ethical Production:
- Opportunity:Market Access and Economic Integration: The Etho provides marginalized communities with access to the global market. The sale of Fair Trade and ethically produced products gives stakeholders the profit and resources needed to lift themselves out of poverty.
- Transparency:We require transparency in the social and environmental aspects of our sellers' production.
- Non-exploitative Trade Relationships and Wages:Every individual in the supply chain is treated with respect and ensured a wage at or above local standards.
- Labor Conditions & Restrictions:The Etho prohibits the use of child labor, forced labor, or unsafe working conditions in the production facilities used by any of our sellers.
- Women's Economic Empowerment & Freedom of Association:We value female-operated enterprises that support women's economic empowerment, gender equality, and community building.
- Skill-set Building & Opportunity Infrastructure:Our partners do more than offer employment. They give valuable assets to workers through training and education.
- Environmental Sustainability:Production practices should have a minimal or offset impact on the environment.
| Production Principle | Production Standard | Seller Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| Opportunity: Market Access & Economic Integration | Sales should provide fair income for stakeholders and provide resources to avoid or overcome poverty and plan for a sustainable future. | The business relationship with suppliers/producers must be based on respect, opennes and negotiation, keeping in mind the aim to poverty reduction and support to marginal producers |
| Transparency | Our sellers provide us with information on their supply chain and production practices. | Sellers should visit the producers in their supply chain to discuss social and environmental practices with management. |
| Non-Exploitative Trade Relationships & Wages | Sellers should be aware of regional minimum wages and their adequacy to cover local minimum wage. | Sellers should work on a time-bound plan to pay a living wage to all employees by utilizing resources provided by the World Etho Trade Organization and Global Living Wage Coalition. |
| Labor Conditions & Restrictions | Sellers must provide a safe environment and fair compensation for workers. We prohibit child and forced labor in factories of our sellers or seller's partners. | Can be best verified by visiting the production units in supply chain, interviewing the workers, and building long-lasting relationships, based on trust, with them. |
| Women's Economic Empowerment & Freedom of Association | Workers shall not face gender-based discrimination in the workplace, and have the right to join labor unions or workers' committees. | Can be best verified by visiting the production units in supply chain, interviewing the workers, and building long-lasting relationships, based on trust, with them. |
| Skill-set Building & Opportunity Infrastructure | Sellers and producers should provide proper skill-training to employees | Sellers should make intentional efforts to upgrade workers' skills and capacities for upward mobility. |
| Environmental Sustainability | Production practices and inputs--such as chemicals, dyes, and waste waters--should have as low of an impact on the environment as possible. | Sellers should take responsibility for origin of raw materials and shift to organic and eco-friendly inputs. |