HOW TO BE AN ETHICAL PRODUCER.

Ethics in production is a subset of business ethic that is meant to ensure that the
production function or activities are not damaging to the consumer or the society. Like other
ethics there is a certain code of conduct or standards to be followed, however ensuring that the
ethics are complied with is often difficult.1
One of the most important characteristic of the business today is that there is a great
degree of interdependence between various business functions. Production cannot happen
without marketing and sales and vice versa. In order to survive in the competitive sphere
organizations try to reduce the costs involved in production processes. This cost efficiency is
sometimes achieved at the cost of quality. Poor processes and technology is used to keep the cost
down, this is especially true for small players who cannot afford economies of scale. Having said
this there are also examples of industry giants that compromised on certain production processes,
cola companies make up for a good example.
Ethical manufacturing is a holistic approach to the manufacturing process that focuses on
good health for all involved. Ethical business care about every part, every facet, of their
company. From production to the customer, ethical business manufacture safe products safely.2
An ethical producer ensures all parts of their product production is safe, efficient, and
focuses on the health of the workers. He enforces safety procedures that care for the best interest
of workers on top of those that are legally required. An ethical business does not sacrifice worker
safety or worker health for increased productivity. Workers in an ethical business are treated
fairly, with balanced work hours, appropriate compensation, and thorough protection against
injury.
An ethical producer ensures all parts of their product production is energy efficient and as
safe for the environment as possible. He ensures to minimize their production of waste and
emission as much as possible. Ethical companies often explore the use of alternative
technologies in order to reduce the energy being utilized during production. He will strive to be
environmentally friendly, pushing for a greater decrease of waste, energy, and emissions, across
all parts of the company.

1
https://www.managementstudyguide.com/ethics-in-production.htm

2
.https://www.kangovou.com/ethical-manufacturing/
 When you order products from an ethical business, you can be sure your product was
safely manufactured, and is safe for you and your family to use. When you shop ethically, you
know you’re buying from a company that is neither wasteful nor cruel: you’re buying from a
company that cares. With ethical manufacturing, the goal is safety, and love.

An ethical business produces safe products. An ethical business cares for the health of
their customers, stringently testing for safety to eliminate harmful contaminants or effects.
Products from ethical companies are safe, legal, and even proactively texted in order to combat
unexpected effects.
Sustainable food production is “a method of production using processes and systems that
are non-polluting, conserve non-renewable energy and natural resources, are economically
efficient, are safe for workers, communities and consumers, and do not compromise the needs of
future generations”.3 Global food production methods must change to minimize the impact on
the environment and support the world’s capacity to produce food in the future. As with other
man-made activities, food production contributes to climate change, water scarcity, soil
degradation and the destruction of biodiversity.
Ethical businesses prioritize safety in the workplace. In a manufacturing environment, the
presence of machines and raw materials make adequate safety procedures both legally mandatory
and ethically necessary. In addition to basic safety rules, such as wearing protective gear and
refraining from engaging in risky behavior, the main issues relate to a reasonable balance
between inconvenience, productivity and safety. Applying too many rules creates compliance
problems, while not addressing safety issues can lead to injury. If you give the employees a role
in developing safety regulations for a production line, it helps in the implementation of effective
rules that strike the right balance.
Manufacturing processes use energy and produce waste. Legal restrictions govern how
companies can produce energy while limiting emissions and how they have to treat waste to
reduce environmental damage. Ethics in production influence the overall approach of a company
toward environmental degradation caused by its manufacturing operations. Taking into account
both legal and ethical factors, you have to reduce your energy use by increasing energy
efficiency and exploring the use of alternative technologies. At the same time, you can reduce
waste by looking at where it is generated and changing your manufacturing process to produce as
little as possible.4
In addition to internal issues, manufacturing companies face liability once their products
leave the factory. Product safety is governed by legislation, and ethical concerns mean you
should only ship products that have been tested for safety. While knowingly shipping dangerous
products is illegal and unethical, the use of your products also may have unintended and harmful
effects. Going beyond legal requirements to thoroughly test all aspects of the use of your
products reduces your exposure to possible law suits and fulfills your ethical duties.

3
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/food-supply-systems/0/steps/53673

4
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/legal-ethical-issues-manufacturing-companies-74890.html
 CONCLUSION

Business owners face ethical decisions everyday in their companies. Business ethics
issues always start small. Each small decision you make builds the kind of businessperson you
are and the kind of company you run. We need to realize that most of these decisions produce
both good and bad results.
As a business owner, you want to make a profit and grow your business. That's why
you went into business. As a moral, caring person, you want to contribute to positive change in
the world. These motives don't need to conflict with each other: Your business can do well
financially and it can also do good in the world. The intersection of the profit motive and the
moral imperative can help establish your business as one that's ethically responsible. Many
large companies have embraced the idea that they can operate their business in an ethically
responsible manner. Being an ethical owner or producer means maintaining —even improving
— your objective of making profit, while setting a high bar for making a positive contribution
to society.
Ethics are about doing the right thing. They are about standards that help us decide
between right and wrong. They are not the same as our feelings, religion, the law, cultural norms,
science, or values.
Business ethics are about applying the virtues and discipline of ethics to business
behavior. They set the standard for how your business is conducted and define the value system
of how you operate in the marketplace and within your business. Ethical behavior in business
improves the workplace climate and will ultimately improve the bottom line. The cost of
unethical behavior can be staggering.
Small-business owners or producers have the opportunity to set the ethical tone for their
companies. Modeling ethical behavior is key. The community and peers heavily influence small
business ethics.