Fairtrade Standards
For a product to display the FAIRTRADE Label it must meet the international Fairtrade standards.
Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO) is the international organisation responsible for setting and maintaining the Fairtrade standards that apply to producers and trading relationships. FLO is owned jointly by 21 national labelling initiatives covering 22 countries and producer networks representing certified producer organisations across Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Whilst FLO sets the standards, and works with producers to help them meet them, a separate international certification company (FLO-Cert) regularly inspects and certifies producers against these standards, and audits the flow of goods between producers and importers in the countries where the International Fairtrade Certification Label is available in the marketplace.
What are the Fairtrade standards?
Fairtrade standards are not simply a set of minimum standards for socially responsible production and trade. The Fairtrade standards go further in seeking to support the development of disadvantaged and marginalized small-scale farmers and plantation workers. Fairtrade standards relate to three areas of sustainable development: social development, economic development and environmental development.
In summary the key objectives of the standards are to:
- ensure a guaranteed Fairtrade minimum price which is agreed with producers
- provide an additional Fairtrade premium which can be invested in projects that enhance social, economic and environmental development
- enable pre-financing for producers who require it
- emphasize the idea of partnership between trade partners
- facilitate mutually beneficial long-term trading relationships
- set clear minimum and progressive criteria to ensure that the conditions for the production and trade of a product are socially and economically fair and environmentally responsible.
How do they work?
For each area there are minimum requirements that a producer organisation must meet in order to be certified and progress requirements in which the certified organisation must demonstrate permanent improvement over time. For example, a minimum requirement is a ban on the use of agrochemicals in the FLO list of prohibited materials. A progress requirement is the ongoing reduction in the use and toxicity of permitted agrochemicals. In this way, the standards enable poorer, more vulnerable farmers to enter the system, while supporting them to gradually improve their practices. It is recognised that the degree of progress depends on the level of economic benefits the organisation receives from Fairtrade and on the specific context of each organisation.
Who must meet Fairtrade standards?
Fairtrade standards need to be met by producers and their organizations (Generic Producer Standards and Product Specific Standards) and by the traders who deal with Fairtrade products (Trade Standards).
Visit the FLO website to find full details of all Fairtrade standards.
