The "Principles for Responsible Investment PRI" have been elaborated by an international group of institutional investors in order to meet increasing concerns of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues for investment decision-making.

This process was initiated by the ex-Secretary General of the United Nations Organisation, Kofi Annan. Ethos’ support for these principles is a matter of course insofar as its Charter of 1997 has already largely integrated the principles formulated in 2006. In fact, the Charter stipulates that the Foundation shall integrate environmental and social factors into its investment policy in order to promote sustainable development. Ethos signed the PRI in 2006.

Ethos Services received B Corp certification. The label, awarded by the non-profit organization B Lab, attests to the positive social and environmental impact of Ethos on society. It is based on a detailed assessment of the company in five areas: governance, employee policies, customer and community relations, and respect for the environment.

Ethos is a signatory of the Montréal Carbon Pledge.

By signing the Montréal Carbon Pledge, investors acknowledge that their investments are exposed to long-term risks linked to greenhouse gas emissions and to climate change. The signatories of the Montréal Carbon Pledge commit to measure and publicly disclose the carbon footprint of their investment portfolios on an annual basis. In this context, Ethos communicates the carbon emissions of all its equity portfolios.

Ethos is a signatory of the UN Global Compact.

Signatories commit to implement the ten principles of the Global Compact on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.

Since 2011 Ethos adheres to the regulations of the UK Stewardship Code. The UK Stewardship Code is a best practice code for institutional investors, asset managers and consultants established by the UK independent regulator the Financial Reporting Council.

The code sets out good practice on engagement with investee companies to which institutional investors should aspire. It contains seven principles that should apply in regard to stewardship activities. The principles include the exercise of shareowner voting rights in investee companies. Institutional investors should establish clear guidelines, not only with regard to the vote, but also relative to their engagement activities and collaboration with other investors. They should also specify when and how they escalate their activities in order to protect and enhance shareholder value.

Ethos is a signatory of the Charter of the Swiss Association of Pension Funds (ASIP).

Ethos endorses the ICGN Global Stewardship Principles. These Principles set out ICGN's view of best practices in relation to investor stewardship obligations, policies and processes.

Ethos adheres to the “Guidelines for institutional investors governing the exercising of participation rights in public limited companies”.

These Guidelines describe best practices relating to the exercising of participation rights. These Guidelines describe best practices relating to the exercising of participation rights. The Guidelines were presented on January 21, 2013 in Zurich by representatives of the Swiss businesses, institutional investors and proxy advisors. Ethos participated in the drafting of these principles.