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Membership

Founding Membership

Founding Membership is a special tier for individuals and organisations who join CRT during its founding stage and wish to contribute actively to shaping the Commission. Founding members receive priority access to services and formal recognition of their contribution to the initiative.

Applications invited Updated June 2026

What founding membership means

Founding membership is more than early access. Founding members are recognised as the individuals and organisations who took the initiative seriously before it was fully built — and who chose to invest their credibility and contribution in its creation.

The founding membership period will close when the Commission formally establishes its independent governance structure and launches the Foundation Certificate as a live programme. After that point, new applications will be for standard Professional or Business Membership.

There is no guarantee that the Commission will ultimately reach its full vision. Founding membership carries the same honest uncertainty as the initiative itself.

Recognition and priority access

  • Priority access: Founding members will be among the first enrolled in the Foundation Certificate pilot cohort
  • Founding recognition: Permanent record as a founding member, acknowledged in CRT's publications and governance documents (with consent)
  • Priority credential issuance: First in line for Trade Integrity Passport issuance once the service launches
  • Consultation rights: Direct input into standards development, governance design and service design ahead of general member consultation
  • Early platform access: Founding members will be invited to participate in the trade platform pilot
  • Founding fee rate: The founding membership fee rate will be locked for the duration of founding membership, with transition to standard pricing subject to published terms

Founding member obligations

Founding membership carries the standard obligations of Professional or Business Membership, plus:

  • Participation in at least one consultation or feedback process per year
  • Willingness to provide honest feedback on CRT's products and services as they develop
  • Commitment to the CRT Code of Professional Conduct from the date of membership

Founding members who cease to meet eligibility requirements, or who breach the Code of Conduct, are subject to the same consequences as any other member.

How to apply

Apply for Founding Membership

Join during the founding stage and help build the Commission of Registered Traders.

Apply now Check eligibility