Engagement 2.0 is launching July 14! This update is shaped by user feedback and includes new resources, updated engagement criteria and a more user-friendly experience. Growers will notice clearer guidance, streamlined navigation and improved tools to support alignment with the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices.
This page is built to support growers and suppliers on their journey with Engagement 2.0, scroll down for a library of resources.
Key Dates
- July 14, 2025: Engagement 2.0 launches
- July 14, 2025: Buyer Dashboard is temporarily frozen, retaining each supplier’s current engagement score
- September 2: Supplier Gold Star released in Supplier LAB
- September 30, 2025: Buyer Dashboard reopens with updated supplier engagement profiles. Changes to grower profiles made after July 14 will be reflected in the new engagement scores.
What to Expect
Here are some things you can expect with Engagement 2.0:
New Campaign Banner (growers & suppliers)
Signals the start of a new cycle and resets assessment responses and engagement scores—even for certified growers.Welcome Page on Login (growers only)
A new default landing page that prompts growers to begin their assessment right away.Streamlined Assessment Workflow (growers only)
Combines engagement and demographic questions in one flow, including new acknowledgement statements that can be completed immediately or later.Location & Commodity Selection
Growers can mark an unlimited amount of growing locations on a map and select the commodities they grow—both easily editable during the assessment.Redesigned Grower Benchmark Page (growers & suppliers)
Improved layout and navigation, with enhanced access to personalized tools and information.Assessment Status with a direct link to resume or retake the assessment
Engagement Score Badge explaining how scores are built
Recommended Resources based on grower input and priorities
Assessment Response Pie Chart showing performance across ECIP principles
Management System Dashboard to explore responses to prioritized questions
Grower Campaign History (growers & suppliers)
Accessible from the Company Page; view past performance, engagement scores, certification status, and full assessment responses in read-only format.
FAQs
Can growers be grandfathered into ECIP 2.0? Can previous responses be copied over so they only need to answer new or updated questions?
Previous responses will remain visible to the user as a tool for continuous improvement. However, they will not be saved as active responses—the user will need to complete the assessment again after July 14.
What does it mean when you say engagement profiles will reset, and how does that impact suppliers and growers?
On July 14, growers’ engagement profiles will reset, and responses will need to be re-entered. Growers will have until September 30 to complete the new assessment without it appearing on the supplier profile or buyer dashboard. After September 30, the updated grower assessments will go live, impacting the connected supplier engagement profiles and becoming visible to buyers on their dashboards.
To learn more about how grower engagement profiles are connected to—and impact—supplier engagement profiles, watch this video.
By what date should all our growers be enrolled in ECIP?
The grower engagement profile directly impacts the supplier engagement profile, which is visible on the buyer dashboard. To learn more about how these are connected, watch this video.
- July 14: Engagement 2.0 is released, and the Buyer Dashboard is temporarily frozen, preserving each supplier’s current engagement score.
- September 30: The Buyer Dashboard is reactivated, and updated supplier engagement profiles become visible to retailers. Any changes to grower engagement profiles made after the Engagement 2.0 release will impact the supplier’s engagement score.
Our growers participating in the ECIP program currently have only one star. Should I reach out to them in June to help them reach two stars before the update, or is it better to wait?
If your grower is already participating in ECIP and you’re looking to improve their engagement score, we recommend waiting until the Engagement 2.0 release on July 14. While previous responses and internal notes will remain visible (though not saved as active responses), waiting until after July 14 will help avoid duplicating efforts within a short timeframe.
Will the grower gold star for certified growers change?
You’ll now be asked about your certifications during the Assessment, in addition to providing this information on the “How to Earn Your Stars” Benchmark page. To waive your grower fee, simply send your certificate to support@ethicalcharterprogram.org. ECIP staff will verify it, and your subscription fee will be waived for the duration of your certification’s validity.
Will suppliers or growers need to pay for a new subscription after July 14?
No, both your suppliers and growers will maintain their current renewal schedule. No additional subscriptions or fees will be charged.
“At Costco, we see ECIP as a dynamic program, one that will continue to evolve as we raise the floor on social responsibility across the produce industry. Grower and supplier participation is essential as we move into a new phase of ECIP engagement. Through continuous improvement, we can build a stronger and more resilient supply chain.”
Amanda Kuhn, Produce Buyer
On-Demand and Upcoming Live Webinars
These webinars are designed to help users navigate Engagement 2.0. Sessions will include open office hours (in both English and Spanish), targeted trainings to support your marketing and sales teams in communicating your ECIP efforts to retail customers, and deep dives into specific updates included in the Engagement 2.0 release.
See below for details on these upcoming free offerings.
ON-DEMAND: Everything You Need to Know About Engagement 2.0
Join ECIP staff for a one-hour webinar introducing Engagement 2.0, the latest evolution of the Grower LAB experience. Launching July 14, Engagement 2.0 features a redesigned grower journey and updated engagement criteria that will impact both grower and supplier engagement profiles.
This session will walk through the changes, explain what’s expected of growers and suppliers, and provide tips for making the most of the updated system. Whether you’re new to ECIP or already engaged, this is an essential opportunity to understand what’s changing, and why.
Who should attend:
Supplier & grower operations.
ECIP Office Hours (English)
During this 30-minute open Office Hours session, ECIP users asked questions about Engagement 2.0, Supplier & Grower LABs, and more. The ECIP support team provided live answers and guidance to help users navigate the updated system.
ECIP Oficina Abierta (Español)
Durante esta sesión de oficina abierta de 30 minutos, los usuarios de ECIP hicieron preguntas sobre Engagement 2.0, Supplier & Grower LAB y mucho más. El equipo de soporte de ECIP ofreció respuestas en directo y orientación para ayudar a los usuarios a navegar por el sistema actualizado.
How to Strengthen Customer Conversations with ECIP
Join us for a one-hour webinar on leveraging the Ethical Charter Implementation Program (ECIP) within your Sales and Marketing teams. Learn what your customers expect to see from ECIP, how to use your engagement score as a key talking point in sales conversations and hear from the ECIP Marketing team about the tools and resources available to ECIP users.
Who should attend: Marketing, Sales and Business Development
When: October 1, 2025 | 10:00am-11:00am PDT/1:00pm-2:00pm EDT
How to Earn Engagement Stars in Engagement 2.0
Assessment Star
To earn this star, Growers must complete all 54 management statements in the assessment, reaching 100% completion. Responses remain confidential, are not used for punishment or reward, and should reflect an honest view of current management systems.
Learning Channel Star
Growers earn this star by confirming their intent to use the Learning Channel to improve in areas where they’re still developing. If they don’t plan to use it, they may share alternative resources. They must also confirm their willingness to provide documentation for areas marked as strengths, though these responses are not scored.
Advanced Engagement Star
To earn this star, Growers must confirm their understanding of how their Engagement Profile is shared, express willingness to share best practices, and believe worker surveys will align with their assessment responses. These commitments reflect transparency, collaboration and accuracy in their self-assessment.
Workers & Recruitment Star
This star is earned by answering a short set of questions about recruitment practices, including use of tools like the Responsible Recruitment Toolkit, Verite’s Recruitment Cost Calculator or Field Labor Contractors (FLCs). If FLCs are used, their details must be provided to qualify.
Gold Star
Growers earn this star by verifying their certification with one of the approved certifications, including uploading certification details. Once submitted, the star stays valid for the entire Engagement cycle. To waive the grower fee, certification documents must be emailed to ECIP support at: support@ethicalcharterprogram.org for verification,
Event Recap: Engagement 2.0 Launch Preview
On July 9, during the Organic Produce Summit, more than 75 retailers, suppliers and growers came together for an early preview of Engagement 2.0, the latest release for the Ethical Charter Implementation Program. The event featured remarks from buyers at Sam’s Club and Costco, along with a walkthrough of new features and updates.
Attendees also had time to connect with ECIP staff, fellow users and retailers.
Need more assistance navigating Engagement 2.0? Send us an email, support@ethicalcharterprogram.org