Membership / Permits

We’ve selected our commercial affiliates for the quality of their products and services, the value they offer to the sector, and their experience of working with voluntary organisations.

As well as meeting our selection criteria, our commercial affiliates must be aligned with our mission and values. We also expect them to act responsibly and adhere to the code of conduct below.

Our code of conduct sets out the behaviours and practices we expect to see from commercial affiliates. We also expect them to apply these standards when they are working with our members and other organisations.  

This code of conduct covers our Commercial Subscribers and Associates.

Ethical Commitment

Commercial Affiliates must respect the fundamental labour rights set out in the eight International Labour Organisation (ILO) core conventions.

They must make sure that working conditions of all employees, including employees along the supply chain, are of an acceptable standard. The ILO core conventions are used in the Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code.  

Commercial Affiliates should follow the key principles of the Base Code.

  • Employment is freely chosen. 
  • Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining is respected. 
  • Working conditions are safe and hygienic. 
  • No child labour. 
  • Living wages are paid (Commercial Affiliates should try to pay the UK Living Wage) 
  • Working hours are not excessive. 
  • No discrimination is practised. 
  • Regular employment is provided (temporary staff and zero hours contracts are allowed if they are applied fairly) 
  • No harsh or inhumane treatment 

Commercial Affiliates must also respect the rights set out in the International Bill of Human Rights.

Environmental Commitment

Commercial Affiliates must show they’re committed to protecting the environment. Where possible they should have environmental policies and processes in place.  

We do our best to make sure our work has minimal impact on the environment and the Earth’s finite resources. Commercial affiliates must also commit to continuously improving their business, products and services in the following ways.

  • Reduce energy consumption, including improving energy efficiency ratings and making efforts to reduce CO2 emissions.
  • Reduce water consumption, including improving water efficiency and making efforts to reduce water consumption. 
  • Reduce waste production, including waste to landfill. Affiliates should aim to make reductions in packaging and reuse materials as much as possible. They should also increase recycling activities. 
  • Reduce travel emissions, including distance travelled along with efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. 
  • Increase sustainable procurement and investment, including efforts to increase investment in sustainable practices and whole life cycle thinking. Affiliates should also make efforts to ensure natural products are from sustainable sources and, where possible, provide certification. 
     

Data Protection

Commercial Affiliates must comply with UK data protection legislation. This applies to the sale and marketing of their products and services to voluntary organisations.

Affiliates should use established exclusion lists to make sure they aren’t taking part in unsolicited sales or marketing. Inclusion lists include the following.

Customer Care

Commercial Affiliates should treat all CTA members and other community transport sector customers in an honest, equitable and transparent way.

Affiliates should show respect for the community transport sector and take time to understand the needs of their community transport sector customers. All products and services supplied to the sector organisations should be fit for purpose and appropriate to the size and nature of the organisation concerned.

Commercial Affiliates must follow our trusted supplier complaints procedure.

Failing to meet the Code of Conduct

If a commercial affiliate doesn’t meet an area of the code of conduct, we’ll work with them to address the issue. However, if an affiliate breaks the code of conduct, we reserve the right to terminate the relationship.

Get in Touch

If you have any questions about our Commercial Affiliates or the code of conduct, please email [email protected]  

We will continue to review the code of conduct and may amend it at any time.