How do ‘Ethics keywords’ and ‘Ethical standards labels’ differ?

All directory entries are categorised by ethical standards labels or ethics keywords.

Ethical standards labels

The ethical standards labels listed in the directory provide a third party guarantee that the products bearing their logos have been produced in keeping with ethical codes of practice that they set. They generally do this by using independent certification bodies to audit key stages in product supply chains thus verifying that ethical standards are being maintained in relation to those products.

Read more about ethical standards

Ethics keywords

For some types of ethical credentials there is no appropriate ethical standards label to provide a third party guarantee of the ethical claims about the product. Also some companies choose, for a variety of reasons, not to seek this kind of certification for their products whilst still conducting their business in an ethical manner.

Therefore ethics keywords can be added by mapping contributors in order to highlight these types of ethical claims. However please be aware that these claims may not have been verified by any independent party.

The ethics keywords can also be used to highlight any relevant networks the business belongs too. For example the ethics keywords BAFTS member and WFTO member relate to established ethical networks of businesses that trade fairly. These ethical networks do not certify products but they do work with their members to ensure that ethical commercial practices are followed. For more information about these networks please see the FAQ on What is the difference between Fairtrade and fairly-traded?

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