Policy - Controversial activities

Alcohol is not considered as inherently harmful, because the quantity and frequency of the alcohol consumed determine its effect. Hence, it is possible to consume alcohol in a safe way (contrary to tobacco for example). However, overconsumption of alcohol has a number of well-known effects such as impairing a person's ability to think rationally and, over time, causing severe medical psychological and social costs.

Alcohol companies sometimes use questionable methods to increase alcohol sales. Examples include irresponsible marketing techniques (e.g. distributing free drinks, sponsoring music events to reach young people) and lobbying practices (e.g. to limit the legislative framework around advertising). Of particular concern is marketing that targets young people and influences them to consume alcohol. Producers and distributors should create awareness amongst users of alcohol about the risks of consuming alcohol and refrain from targeting children and teenagers. For these reasons, Forum Ethibel has decided to include alcohol as a controversial criterion in its methodology.

Alcohol producers and distributors may be eligible for inclusion in the Ethibel Register. This depends on their involvement in unethical and irresponsible practices regarding alcohol production, distribution, marketing and lobbying practices. 

In addition to positive criteria used for screening company’s corporate social responsibility profiles, alcohol producing and distributing companies are also screened for involvement with irresponsible practices. 

Sub-category: Production and distribution of alcoholic beverages

Irresponsible practices are: marketing of alcohol to children and teenagers, influencing children and teenagers to start or increase alcohol consumption, marketing or communication practices and/or lobbying activities to reduce and limit legislation regarding alcohol advertising.

The severity and frequency of involvement in irresponsible practices, company transparency on the issue, and corrective measures being taken will all determine whether the company is eligible for inclusion in the Ethibel Register.

Animals have played an important role in human societies since time immemorial, whether for farming, for transporting goods or people, or as pets. Animal welfare concerns have been on the agenda of numerous organisations and animal activists for many years. Legislation in different countries, and at the international level, forbids cruel treatment of animals; there are strict regulations in place regarding the use of animals for testing.

However, there is still a great deal of controversy regarding the treatment of animals, for example where they are used in laboratories to test chemicals or cosmetics, or for entertainment in a circus. Practices contrary to animal welfare may serve as a basis for not including companies in the Ethibel Register.

Forum Ethibel distinguishes between the following categories in terms of animal welfare:

Companies that use animal tests for the production of cosmetics, semi-cosmetics and household products are eligible for the Register, depending on how they implement the 3R -principle. These principles stand for:

The transition to a low carbon society - and minimising global temperature increase - requires urgent action. However, ending dependency on fossil fuels will not happen overnight. While higher energy efficiency and technological innovation may be elements of an effective climate policy, a transition to low or zero-carbon energy is necessary for realising the objectives agreed upon in the Paris agreement.

Companies in the energy (related) sector that are not contributing to decarbonisation – whether through their products and/or lack of progress – are liable to exclusion from the label as a result. Forum Ethibel gives preferential treatment to companies in this sector that made and/or are making ambitious progress in the decarbonisation process. 

Sub-category 5: Electric utilities

(*) An exception may be made for companies that show clear progress in recent years and have formally committed themselves to further reduction of the share of these types of fuels.

Forum Ethibel distinguishes between the following categories in terms of fossil fuels:

Since the first genetically modified organism was created, the use of GMOs has been controversial with an on-going debate between opponents and proponents:
Opponents use arguments such as the following: the use of GMOs reduces biodiversity; it will lead to the development of more hazardous pesticides; and it will increase costs for farmers and the food industry. 
Proponents use the arguments such as the following: GMOs increase agricultural productivity; they put less pressure on available land and water resources; and genetically modified plants and animals used in the medical industry contribute to human and animal health. 

Given this debate with strong arguments on both sides, Forum Ethibel has decided to include this as a controversial criterion in its methodology. 

As the use of certain GMOs can be beneficial while the use of other GMOs can be detrimental, it is important to make a case-by-case evaluation of each GMO to determine its impact. Companies that produce GMOs, manufacture products that contain GMOs or distribute GMOs will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
The criteria are as follows:

When in doubt, the precautionary principle applies.

A Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) is any organism whose genetic material has been altered by using genetic engineering techniques. Genetic modification means that genes are deleted, inserted or mutated in a certain species to obtain a certain objective, for example pest-resistant plants or high-yield milk cows.

The use of GMOs is allowed in some countries, like the United States. In the EU, the use of GMOs is allowed, but is strictly regulated.

Chemicals are an essential part of contemporary life. However, a number of hazardous chemicals have negative consequences for human and animal health as well for environment. Such chemicals are not always essential. Forum Ethibel therefore includes hazardous chemicals as a controversial criterion in its methodology.

(*) The assessment of the danger of the chemical substance will be based on international agreement(s) and the company’s future strategy.

In terms of hazardous chemicals, a distinction is made between the following categories: 

The UN Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action states that using people as sex objects – including through pornography – contributes to physical, sexual and psychological abuse. Moreover, trafficking for sex trade is a matter of pressing international concern. Prostitution and pornography are illegal or partly illegal in many countries (or are strictly controlled).

Forum Ethibel does not take a moral position on prostitution or pornography, but considers them in the light of their potential contribution to human rights violations. Therefore, these practices are considered a disputable criterion in the methodology.

Forum Ethibel distinguishes between the following categories in terms of the sex industry: