Consumers in the global North can have a real impact on the lives of the people who produce what they put in their shopping baskets.
ISO 26000 is the first global guidance standard on social responsibility.
Talk of being ethical is not enough; consumers want corporate claims to be independently verifiable.
What certification labels such as Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance mean and if consumers can trust them.
The Bad Company Awards highlight irresponsible behaviour by some of the world's leading brands, drawing attention to notable consumer rights issues over the past 12 months.
The Real Deal is part of CI's ongoing work on sustainable consumption. Working with our member organisation's and partners, this series of features highlight unethical and unsustainable behaviour by corporations and governments.