GRS secure full membership of Ethical Trading Initiative

28 April, 2025

L-R: Molly Richardson, who led the project to secure ETI membership, with GRS Building Products customer service manager Deanne Francis

Company becomes one of only three suppliers of natural sone paving products to hold full membership

PAVING and landscaping materials suppliers GRS Building Products have become a full member of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), an alliance of companies, NGOs, and trade unions working to advance human rights in global supply chains.

A leading supplier to merchants across the country, GRS were approved for ‘graduation’ by the board of ETI last month, becoming one of only three suppliers of natural stone paving products to currently hold full ETI membership.

Having been an ETI foundation member since 2021, during which time the company has applied human rights due diligence (HRDD) approaches to managing its supply chain, GRS are now listed among some of the biggest names in retail, fashion, food, and cosmetics.

Best known for its range of bagged aggregates and landscaping products, GRS have expanded their portfolio in recent years and now offer a variety of stone and porcelain paving as well as garden products to builders’ merchants and garden retailers nationwide.

Kate Lewis, ETI’s head of membership, congratulated GRS on reaching this significant milestone in their human rights journey. She said: ‘Over the course of their foundation stage membership, GRS have shown commitment to the ETI base code and its implementation, improving conditions within their supply chains, and active involvement with the ETI secretariat.

‘This accomplishment is testament to the hard work and commitment GRS have put in to promoting workers’ rights around the globe. We look forward to GRS Building Products’ continued growth as an ETI member and leader in the field of human rights.’

Lee Hudson, managing director of GRS Building Products, said: ‘We are over the moon at becoming a full ETI member as it gives our customers the reassurance that products supplied by GRS are not only made to the highest standards, but done so in the interests of protecting workers’ rights.

‘It’s been quite a journey to ensure that we meet the stringent ETI criteria, and we will continue to act to ensure we keep on improving and promptly address any future issues in our supply chain. I’m grateful to my colleagues in GRS for their efforts in doing that, and to the team at ETI for working with us to reach this landmark.’