Join ETI

We support businesses to identify and reduce human rights risks in supply chains, through guidance and collaboration across our membership. 

Who we are

ETI is a leading membership organisation focused on addressing human rights impacts in supply chains.  By working with companies, trade unions and NGOs we are uniquely placed to tackle the challenges faced by workers around the world. 

Container ship

Why your company should join ETI

  • Support and collaboration – businesses cannot tackle human rights issues alone. Businesses need support, collaboration, and external stakeholder engagement to address the issues workers face. 
  • Understanding risk – Businesses must be able to identify risks workers face and specifically understand salient issues in their supply chains. 
  • Meet legislation – With global pressure to strengthen business and human rights legislation, those ahead of the curve are better placed to adapt. 
  • Protect your brand – Consumers are increasingly motivated by company ethics. Demonstrating respect for human rights builds trust and strengthens brand integrity.  
  • Supply chain resilience – From climate change to future pandemics, investing in people and sustainable business models is critical to long-term resilience. 
  • Investors – With increasing focus on environmental and social governance, investor risk analysis places value on not only strong but ethical business-supplier relationships, mitigating risk of disruption and disrepute. 

Benefits of ETI membership 

  • Develop your human rights strategy – ETI has a framework aligned with the UN Guiding Principles that enables companies to adopt an HRDD approach to identify and address risks in their supply chains. 
  • Access good practice and expertise – ETI has been working with businesses for over 25 years. As members you can learn from others, adopt tried and tested approaches and utilise our specialist thematic and geographical expertise to develop your supply chain approach. As the owner of the ETI Base Code, our expertise aligns with this internationally recognised code. 
  • Collaborate with NGOs and trade unions – Our membership structure is designed to facilitate business collaboration with key stakeholders in a safe environment. ETI’s approach supports companies, NGOs, and trade unions to address workers' rights issues together. 
  • Effectively respond in a crisis – Increasingly workers are impacted by global crises - from conflict and climate change to global pandemics. ETI supports businesses to react and protect workers in times of crisis and do this collaboratively with peers and suppliers. 
  • Join ETI projects and initiatives – ETI leads initiatives to address specific issues impacting workers and companies in supply chains globally; this work regularly benefits from donor funds and collaboration with external partners. 
  • Operate within a safe space – ETI cultivates a confidential space to collaborate with over 100 companies, trade unions and NGOs, unlike any other MSI. Members can network and engage via an exclusive online community of free guidance and resources, from ETI and our members. 
  • Get training and advice – ETI offers training which enables individuals new to human rights to understand the landscape and learn from peers. 

How to apply 

Thinking about joining ETI? Send us an email. We can discuss what membership entails and if you meet our criteria. Your company will be invited to submit an application if we believe it has the commitment and capacity to join. Our tripartite board will review this application at our quarterly meetings. The process typically takes about three months.    

ETI company members pay an annual fee based on their turnover; enter your company's annual turnover here to calculate your fee. There is a one-off application fee of £900.

Factory workers coffee break

NGO membership

Bringing human rights expertise and community-based experience.

What it involves 

NGO members provide expertise on labour rights and offer experience of diverse communities around the world.   

NGO caucus meetings are held regularly, organised by our NGO Co-ordinator Peter Williams. Trade union and NGO members can directly influence business, both one-on-one and collectively, by sharing knowledge and guiding continuous improvement on human rights. They also play a vital role in providing expert insight and guidance on ETI’s work, whether it’s our position on a specific issue or our involvement in a specific initiative.  

How to apply 

Applications are considered by the NGO caucus at their quarterly meetings. If you are interested in membership, you are welcome to attend two caucus meetings before making a final decision.  

The annual membership fee for large NGOs is £5,000. Smaller NGOs do not pay a membership fee and can apply to ETI for funding to help cover the costs of participating in ETI activities.  

Contact ETI's NGO Coordinator Sabita Banerji to find out more about NGO membership. 

Trade union membership 

Amplifying worker voice around the world.

What it involves 

Trade union members ensure workers remain at the heart of our work.   

Trade union caucus meetings are held regularly, organised by our Trade Union Co-ordinator Stephen Craig. Trade union and NGO members can directly influence business, both one-on-one and collectively, by sharing knowledge and guiding continuous improvement on human rights. They also play a vital role in providing expert insight and guidance on ETI’s work, whether it’s our position on a specific issue or our involvement in a specific initiative.  

How to apply 

If your trade union is a member of the following organisations, then you are already a trade union member and are welcome to get involved in ETI's work:  

  • IUF (uniting food, farm and hotel workers worldwide)  
  • The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)  
  • The Trades Union Congress in the UK  

Trade unions do not pay an ETI membership fee.  

Contact us for more information about trade union activities within ETI.

A woman picking crops.