I love it when people use the absolute-unethical capitalism comment when we do have initiatives out in the world that are progressing to indeed bring better conditions to workers or help solve other problems.

See the following, in no particular order; also note that most of this is with reference to textiles, but some overlap with other sectors:

• United Nations (aka Global Compact, Global Compact on Migration, Global Compact on Refugees)

• OEKO-TEX

• The Textile Exchange

• Forest Stewardship Council

• Science Based Targets Initiative

• Global Standard (aka GOTS)

• International Accreditation Forum (aka ISO)

• SEDEX (aka SMETA)

• PETA

• Good Jobs First

• Fairtrade Labelling Organization International (aka FairTrade)

• B Lab

• Bluesign Technologies

• Social Accountability International

• Climate Neutral

• amfori (aka BSCI)

• Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (aka WRAP)

• 1% For The Planet

• Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute

• Sustainable Apparel Coalition

• Stichting ZHDC Foundation

• Fair Wear Foundation

• Global Green USA

• Global Reporting Initiative (aka GRI) via Corporate Register

• Regenerative Organic Alliance (aka ROC)

• Better Cotton Initiative (aka BCI)

• CELC Developpement (aka European Flax™, Masters of Linen™ Certified)

• Belgian Flax & Linen Association (aka Belgian Linen™ Certified)

• European Union (aka Ecolabel Certified)

• United States of America (aka USDA Organic)

• American Apparel and Footwear Association

• Canopy Planet

• Ecological and Toxicological Association of Dyes and Organic Pigments Manufacturers (aka ETAD)

• Better Work aka International Labor Organization aka United Nations / International Finance, Corporation aka World Bank Group

• Open Supply Hub

• TÜV AUSTRIA

• International Association of Better Business Bureau

• Business & Human Rights Resource Centre

• U.S. Green Building Council (aka USGBC)

• CSP Worldwide (auditor)

• Ecovadis (auditor)

• MSCI (auditor)

• Sustainalytics (auditor)

I’m sure there are plenty of others out there, but I think at least for the textile sector, there is a consorted effort towards a better economy for workers, users, and the planet. See also Fairphone and their FarTrade Gold program, as well as Framework laptops.