In the late 1990s, companies selling food and clothing to UK consumers were coming under increasing pressure ñ from trade unions, non-governmental organisations and consumers ñ to ensure decent working conditions for the people who produce the goods they sell. Such companies typically responded by adopting a code of practice setting out minimum labour standards that they expect their suppliers to comply with. But what should minimum labour standards cover? And how can they be implemented effectively? Many companies who adopted such codes soon found that they had neither the public credibility, nor the necessary experience and skills, to answer these questions alone. They realised they needed the backing of relevant civil society organisations, in particular of trade union organisations and NGOs with expertise in labour issues and overseas development.