Writing a Code of Ethics

Writing a Code of Ethics

A code of ethics is a short document that sets out what your business stands for — not just what you sell, but how you sell it. It covers things like where your materials come from, how you treat people, what you charge, and how you think about the environment.

You might think codes of ethics are only for big corporations. They are not. In fact, creating one now — while your business is small — is one of the most powerful things you can do. It shows backers, teachers, and customers that you take your business seriously and that you care about doing things the right way.

Why Bother?

1. Trust. Backers on Futurepreneurs want to support young people who are thoughtful and responsible. A code of ethics signals that you have thought beyond just making money.

2. Decision-making. When you face a tricky choice (a cheaper supplier who might use unfair labour, a tempting shortcut on quality), your code of ethics gives you a clear answer.

3. Differentiation. Most teen businesses do not have a code of ethics. Having one makes you stand out immediately.

4. Accountability. Writing your values down makes them real. It is easy to say "I care about the environment" — it is harder (and more meaningful) to commit to specific actions.

What Should It Cover?

A good code of ethics for a teen business covers five areas:

#### 1. Responsible Sourcing

Where do your materials and ingredients come from? Are they produced ethically?

Questions to ask yourself:

• Do I know where my raw materials come from?
• Are the workers who produced them paid fairly?
• Are the materials produced in environmentally responsible ways?
• Can I trace my supply chain at least one step back?

Example commitments:

• "We source all our ingredients from UK-based suppliers where possible."
• "We use Fairtrade chocolate in all our baked goods."
• "We buy reclaimed wood from local joiners rather than ordering new timber."

#### 2. Fair Pricing

How do you set your prices? Are they honest and transparent?

Questions to ask yourself:

• Is my pricing fair to customers and sustainable for my business?
• Am I being transparent about what my prices include?
• Do I avoid hidden charges or misleading "sale" prices?
• Have I considered whether my product is accessible to different budgets?

Example commitments:

• "We price our products to cover costs and pay ourselves fairly, without overcharging."
• "All prices include delivery costs — no surprise charges at checkout."
• "We offer a £1 support tier on Futurepreneurs so anyone can back our project regardless of budget."

#### 3. Sustainability and Environment

What is your environmental impact and what are you doing about it?

Questions to ask yourself:

• What packaging do I use? Can it be recycled or composted?
• Do I generate waste? How can I reduce it?
• How are my products shipped? Can I reduce the carbon footprint?
• Is my product itself environmentally friendly?

Example commitments:

• "All our packaging is recyclable or compostable."
• "We use Royal Mail's carbon-neutral delivery service."
• "We donate production offcuts to local schools for art projects."
• "We aim to produce zero waste by using every scrap of material."

#### 4. How You Treat People

This covers customers, suppliers, collaborators, and anyone else your business interacts with.

Questions to ask yourself:

• How do I handle customer complaints?
• Do I respond to messages promptly and politely?
• If I work with friends or collaborators, do I treat them fairly?
• Am I honest in my marketing and product descriptions?

Example commitments:

• "We respond to all customer enquiries within 48 hours."
• "If a customer is unhappy, we offer a full refund or replacement — no questions asked."
• "We never exaggerate what our products can do in marketing materials."
• "Collaborators are credited and compensated fairly for their contributions."

#### 5. Honesty and Transparency

Are you open about how your business operates?

Questions to ask yourself:

• Am I honest in my crowdfunding campaign about what I will deliver?
• Do I share updates — good and bad — with backers?
• If something goes wrong, do I own up to it?

Example commitments:

• "We post honest updates on our Futurepreneurs page, including when things do not go to plan."
• "If a product has a defect, we tell the customer before they discover it."
• "Our crowdfunding milestones reflect real costs, not inflated estimates."

Template: Your Code of Ethics

Here is a structure you can copy and customise. Keep it to one page — short, specific, and genuine.

---

[Your Business Name] — Code of Ethics

Our Mission:

[One sentence about what your business does and why it exists.]

Our Values:

1. Responsible Sourcing

[1-2 specific commitments about where your materials/ingredients come from.]

2. Fair and Honest Pricing

[1-2 commitments about how you price your products.]

3. Environmental Responsibility

[1-2 commitments about packaging, waste, or sustainability.]

4. Treating People Well

[1-2 commitments about customers, collaborators, and suppliers.]

5. Transparency

[1-2 commitments about honesty in your marketing and communications.]

How We Hold Ourselves Accountable:

[How you will check that you are living up to these commitments — e.g. reviewing the code every term, asking for customer feedback, sharing updates with your teacher/mentor.]

---

Real Examples from Ethical Teen Businesses

"Green Teen Soaps" (handmade soap business):

• Sources palm-oil-free ingredients from UK suppliers
• Uses biodegradable cellophane wrapping instead of plastic
• Donates 5% of profits to a marine conservation charity
• Prices include delivery to avoid hidden costs

"Code Club Prints" (digital design business):

• Creates all designs originally — never copies other artists
• Prices digital downloads affordably (£2-5) so younger customers can afford them
• Does not collect unnecessary data from customers
• Credits any collaborators on the product page

"The Market Garden" (growing and selling vegetables):

• All produce is grown organically without pesticides
• Sells at local farmers' markets to reduce transport emissions
• Offers "wonky veg" boxes at reduced prices to minimise food waste
• Treats all market customers equally — no favouritism for larger orders

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Being vague. "We care about the environment" means nothing. "All our packaging is recyclable" is specific and measurable.

2. Over-promising. Do not commit to things you cannot actually do. If you cannot guarantee Fairtrade for every ingredient, say "We use Fairtrade where available."

3. Writing it and forgetting it. A code of ethics only works if you actually follow it. Review it every term and update it as your business grows.

4. Copying someone else's. Your code should reflect your actual business and values. A candle business has different ethical considerations from a coding service.

5. Making it too long. One page is plenty. If people will not read it, it cannot guide your behaviour or build trust.

Where to Put Your Code of Ethics

• Your Futurepreneurs project page — add a section or link to it in your project description
• Your website — a simple "Our Values" or "Ethics" page
• Your social media bio — a one-line summary, e.g. "100% recyclable packaging. Fairtrade ingredients. No shortcuts."
• Your packaging — a small card or sticker with your key commitments

Key Takeaways

• A code of ethics is a competitive advantage — it builds trust with backers, customers, and teachers
• Cover five areas — sourcing, pricing, sustainability, people, and transparency
• Be specific — vague promises are meaningless. Commit to actions you can actually take
• Keep it short — one page, written in your own voice
• Review it regularly — your business will grow and your commitments should evolve with it
• Live it — the code is only worth something if you follow through
• Share it proudly — on your project page, website, social media, and packaging