Will the WTO prevent the growth of ethical trade? Implications of potential changes to WTO rules for environmental and social standards in the forest sector

Abstract

Whilst its promoters believe that there are numerous benefits to be gained by many producers from ethical trade, some stakeholders in the South see ethical trade schemes as protectionist. This paper examines the World Trade Organization rules that relate to the environmental and social standards promoted by ethical trade schemes in the forest sector, focusing on debates around eco-labels and the Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement. The implications for current ethical trading schemes are considered with reference to initiatives in the forest sector including forest certification and ethical markets for non-timber forest products