The Ethical Charter Implementation Program
The Ethical Charter Implementation Program (ECIP) helps the fresh produce and floral industry align on social responsibility reporting across multiple buyers. It connects retailers, suppliers and growers around labor practices—highlighting what’s working, showcasing social responsibility programs and offering tools for continuous improvement.
ECIP LAB, the digital platform featuring built-in self-assessments and actionable resources, makes it easier for suppliers and growers to track progress and align with the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices. It also gives retail buyers a common place to view where their supply chain is investing in social responsibility—and where additional support may be needed.
Backed by the Walmart Foundation and powered by Equitable Food Initiative, ECIP is guided by an industry Advisory Group of buyers, suppliers and other key stakeholders to ensure it delivers real value and drives meaningful progress on responsible labor.
Retailers
Retailers play a key role in ECIP by utilizing the Buyer Dashboard to align their supply chains with ethical and responsible labor practices. Retailers invite their suppliers to participate in the program to promote industry-wide consistency and accountability.
Suppliers
Growers
Growers participate in ECIP after being invited by their suppliers, gaining access to valuable resources that support continuous improvement and help align their operations with the Ethical Charter’s principles.
“At Walmart, we are excited about the potential of this program to scale across the produce value chain without adding additional audits. What we like about ECIP is that it focuses on continuous improvement while offering many tools and resources for growers to assess their management structures, benchmark their progress and continue to improve over time.”
“ECIP reflects the power of industry collaboration to advance meaningful changes for people and our planet. We’re pleased to help scale this capacity-building work that prioritizes meeting growers where they are in their journey and offering practical resources and guidance to help enhance labor practices.”
“The Ethical Charter Implementation Program will give our supply chain the ability to showcase our alignment with the Ethical Charter principles and meet our customers’ expectations without undertaking the burden of audit or certification.”
ECIP Blog
LAB HUB: Importance of the Supplier Supply Chain Question
Your total number of growers matters when it comes to earning
Topline Farms’ ECIP Strategy
This letter was written by Amy Cochrane-Knotek, a consultant working in
Celebrating an ECIP & Produce Legend!
With her retirement from Naturipe Farms and the ECIP Advisory Group,
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