Component of the eRF1-eRF3-GTP ternary complex, a ternary complex that mediates translation termination in response to the termination codons. The eRF1-eRF3-GTP complex binds to a stop codon in the ribosomal A-site. ETF1/ERF1 is responsible for stop codon recognition and inducing hydrolysis of peptidyl-tRNA. Following GTP hydrolysis, eRF3 (GSPT1/ERF3A or GSPT2/ERF3B) dissociates, permitting ETF1/eRF1 to accommodate fully in the A-site, followed by hydrolysis of peptidyl-tRNA. Component of the transient SURF complex which recruits UPF1 to stalled ribosomes in the context of nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) of mRNAs containing premature stop codons. Required for SHFL-mediated translation termination which inhibits programmed ribosomal frameshifting (-1PRF) of mRNA from viruses and cellular genes