Unilever named one of the world's most ethical companies

Raising the bar

It's the third year Ethisphere, a think-tank dedicated to the creation, advancement and sharing of best practices in business ethics, corporate social responsibility, anti-corruption and sustainability, has published the WME rankings. It’s also the second year in a row Unilever has entered - both times it has made it to the list.

According to the judges, Unilever earned a coveted place on the list by going beyond legal minimums, introducing innovative ideas to benefit the public and forcing its competitors to follow suit by raising the bar on what it takes to be an ethical leader. 

"A true standout"

"Unilever has proven to be one of the world leaders in upholding high ethical standards, making it a true standout in its industry, especially as unethical business actions and decisions grab headlines each day," said Alex Brigham, Executive Director, Ethisphere Institute.

"The competition for this year's World's Most Ethical Companies was very strong and we applaud Unilever for rising to the top."

The ranking evaluated a record-breaking 10 000 companies from more than 100 countries and over 35 industries.

The judging panel consisted of leading lawyers, professors, government officials and organisation leaders who created a short-list of companies. Those selected as semi-finalists then had to fill out an in-depth questionnaire about their ethical practices.

Good ethics, good business

Unilever is also singled out as an example of best practice on the Institute's website. Alex explains, "Unilever recognises that being ethical is not only the right thing to do, it is also good business practice and leads to more successful and profitable operations."

In deciding the list, the judging panel considers everything from a business's code of ethics; history with litigation and regulatory action; and investment in innovations – to its sustainable practices and activities designed to improve corporate citizenship.