Ethical Trading Initiative Sweden – for sustainable global supply chains

ETI Sweden gathers companies, trade unions, civil society organizations and the public sector to promote and ensure good working conditions in global supply chains. Axfoundation was the driving force behind the formation of the organization and is one of the founders. ETI Sweden has a close collaboration with ETI in Norway, Denmark and the UK.

Decent working conditions is the focus for ETI Sweden.

The Issue

Collaboration is crucial to uphold decent working conditions and environmental responsibility in global supply chains. Sweden’s imports are dependent on production in high-risk countries with precarious labour conditions and environmental impact. In the traces of Covid -19, it is more important than ever to maintain ethical business practices towards suppliers, who are severely affected by canceled orders. Through ETI Sweden, companies, trade unions, civil society organizations and public procurers can collaborate and get methodological support to manage human rights risks and secure sustainable supply chains.

Solution

Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) gathers like minded parties within all sectors to effect concrete improvements in the supply chains. The member companies pledge to follow the OECD guideline for human rights due diligence and report yearly to ETI. The members tackle common problems in projects in the production countries while the ETI-organizations attempt to influence governments and suppliers who violate international labour law. ETI also support collaborations with researchers, investors and owners.

A force for better conditions

ETI Sweden promotes fair working conditions, reduced environmental impact and anti-corruption according to the UN Guiding Principles for business and human rights, and the OECD guideline for multinational companies. The Swedish organization’s aim is to be an expert agency for sustainable supply chain issues and to gather skills, methods and tools for its members. ETI is aimed at small and large companies within all sectors. Membership is open to companies, civil society organizations, trade unions and the public sector.

The Board

The Board of Directors was elected at the Annual Meeting on April 15, 2020 and consists of representatives from Axfoundation (Chair), NCC (Vice Chair), Unionen (Secretary), Oxfam Sweden (Treasurer), Coop Sweden, Union of Commercial Employees, Systembolaget, Union to Union, Västtrafik (members).

Founders

ETI Sweden is founded by Axfoundation, Coop Sweden, Fairtrade Sweden, Oxfam Sweden, Systembolaget, The Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO), Union of Commercial Employees (Handelsanställdas förbund), Unionen, Union to Union, Västtrafik and We Effect.