The principal goal of ethical trade is to provide a vehicle for promoting international labour standards and human rights in developing country workplaces. In practice, it "seeks to encourage voluntary codes of conduct amongst large producers with subsidiaries or suppliers in developing countries. The codes of conduct and related standards are intended to benefit workers' rights and human rights, and to help meet other social and environmental development goals." (Duncombe, R. and R. Heeks, An Information Systems Perspective on Ethical Trade and Self-Regulation, Information Technology for Development, 10, 2003, p. 123)
Ethical trade and fair trade go hand-in-hand for consumers who want to shop with a conscience. Both practices aim to benefit the lives of workers in some of the world's poorest countries. Yet they are based on different principles. Ethical trade is about improving the conditions in which goods are produced, whereas fair trade is about improving the income that goes to the farm workers at the beginning of a supply chain, thus ensuring that the producers receive fair compensation and sustainable employment.
Toutefois, il y a des différences entre les concepts. Le commerce éthique est au cœur des filières traditionnelles, tandis que le commerce équitable crée une filière économique parallèle en traitant directement avec les producteurs (producers).
À la différence du commerce équitable, le commerce éthique et le commerce transparent n’imposent pas de norme stricte.
| Relation sémantique | Mot(s) relié(s) français | Mot(s) relié(s) anglais |
|---|---|---|
| Agent | consommateur responsable, consommateur éthique | ethical consumer |
| producteur | producer | |
| Concept | norme du travail | labour standard |
| responsabilité sociale de l'entreprise, responsabilité sociétale de l'entreprise, RSE | corporate social responsibility | |
| sourçage éthique | ethical sourcing | |
| Contraste | commerce équitable | fair trade |
| commerce transparent | transparent trade | |
| Lieu | chaîne d'approvisionnement | supply chain |
