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Ethical Consumer magazine launched its Best Buy Label on Friday
March 7th.
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Rob Harrison, editor of the Ethical Consumer magazine which launched in 1989 and is an established and trusted name within the ethical business community said:
"By identifying those companies who consider ethics throughout their entire operation, the Ethical Consumer Best Buy Label gives shoppers the confidence that they are making the best possible ethical and environmental choice. The label will be the definitive endorsement for people who want to put principles on their shopping list."
Some of the UK's leading ethical companies have already signed up to the scheme whose products range from organic whisky to washing up liquid. Among these companies are the makers of trainers and providers of gas supplies and telephone landlines, none of which are covered by existing ethical product labels.
Malcolm Joels from Faith In Nature, a cosmetics company which has joined the Ethical Consumer Best Buy Label scheme said:
"Faith in Nature always strives to produce affordable, genuinely
natural
beauty products in a highly ethical manner. Ethical Consumer's recognition
helps us, and shoppers, by independently verifying our credentials in
a confusing market."
Despite the recent growth of consumer product labels, the Ethical Consumer believes that its 'butterfly' logo has a unique and important role to play in providing information to shoppers.
Rob Harrison, editor of the Ethical Consumer magazine said:
"The Ethical Consumer Best Buy Label has been developed in response
to demand from shoppers as well as ethical producers. Far from confusing
shoppers, we strongly believe that the Best Buy Label brings much needed
clarity to an increasingly complicated market."
For More Information
See more details about
the Best Buys label and how to apply for it.
Notes for journalists
Press enquiries:
During office hours please contact Ethical Consumer on 0161 226 2929
or email mary@ethicalconsumer.org
or dan@ethicalconsumer.org Out of hours contact Mary Rayner on 07816
754 032 or Dan Welch on 07715 558 465.
[1] Ethical Consumer magazine was launched in 1989 and is the UK's leading ethical and environmental consumer magazine. It is published by an independent research co-operative.
[2] Using its unrivalled database, researchers at Ethical Consumer magazine rate both the product and the company behind the product against more than 20 animal welfare, environmental and human rights criteria.
Based on these findings, each issue of Ethical Consumer magazine recommends a number of environmental and ethical Best Buy products and services. Ethical Consumer is now licensing its Best Buy Label as a trademark which selected companies can buy to promote their products and services.
Because Ethical Consumer's ratings take account of product features such as organic, Fairtrade and energy efficiency, the Best Buy Label isn't in competition with the best known labelling schemes but is complementary to them.
[3] Unlike some other labelling schemes, Ethical Consumer is completely open about how companies and products are rated and all research is available on-line.
[4] The ethical companies which have signed up to the Best Buy label are:
Equal Exchange
0131 554 5912
Contact: Andy Good
www.equalexchange.co.uk
Best Buy label awarded to organic rooibos tea
Equigas
01993 225061
Contact: Phil Levermore
www.ebico.co.uk
Best Buy label awarded to Equigas, an ethical gas supplier
Escor Toys
01202 591081
Contact: Sue Atkins
www.escortoys.com
Best Buy label awarded to range of Escor toys
Fair Deal Trading
0870 7665196
Contact: Jamie Lloyd
www.fairdealtrading.com
Best Buy label awarded to trainers
Faith In Nature
0161 724 4016
Contact: Malcolm Joels
www.faithinnature.co.uk
Best Buy label awarded to dishwasher detergent, laundry detergent,
shampoo, shower gel, soap bars & washing up liquid
Good Energy
01249 766090
Contact: Hugo House
www.good-energy.co.uk
Best Buy label awarded for supplier of renewable electricity
London & Scottish International Ltd
01483 894650
Contact: Alex Parker
www.junipergreen.org
www.uk5.org
Best Buy label awarded to organic & Fairtrade rum, organic gin,
vodka & whisky
Mooncup
01273 355024
Contact: Kath Clements
www.mooncup.co.uk
Best Buy label awarded to Mooncup, makers of Mooncup ethical sanitary
protection
Phone Co-op
01608 647729
Contact: Henry Richardson
www.thephone.coop
Best Buy label awarded to telephone landline rental & calls
[5] Concerning multinationals with highly controversial activities marketing niche 'ethical' products, the following are examples: (Information obtained from the Ethical Consumer's sister website: www.ethiscore.org 28th February 2007)
EDF Electricity Green Tariff: (Owned by EDF. Criticisms: Pro nuclear, coal fired power stations & military supply.)
Nouvelle recycled toilet roll: (Owned by Koch Industries. Criticisms: Unsustainable logging, oil and gas exploration & air pollution. Were a sponsor at Glastonbury 2007.)
GE A-rated compact fluorescent lightbulbs: (Owned by General Electric. Criticisms: Nuclear power, military supply, & river pollution.)
Nescafé Partners blend Fairtrade Coffee: (Owned by Nestlé. Criticisms: Boycott over babymilk marketing & human rights issues in Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia & Indonesia.)
Quaker Organic Oats: (Owned by Pepsico. Criticisms: Purveyor of unhealthy drinks and crisps, environmental violations in China & donor to George Bush's Republican Party.)
Quorn vegetarian sausages: (Owned by Premier Foods. Criticisms: Factory farmed meat products, river pollution & marketing unhealthy foods to children.)
Twinings Organic Tea: (Owned by Wittington Investments/AB Foods. Criticisms:
Unsustainable palm oil use, biofuels, river pollution & foie gras.)
