The FTO Mark
Launched in 2004 at the World Social Forum in Mumbai, India, the FTO Mark identifies registered Fair Trade Organizations worldwide.
A list of registered members can be found at www.ifat.org/registeredftos.shtml.
Currently there are about 150 registered FTOs, and the number is steadily growing.
The FTO Mark is a quality mark which means standards are being met regarding working conditions, wages, child labour and the environment, and demonstrates that an organization's trading activity is dedicated to the development of disadvantaged producers, and is sustainable and committed to continual improvement.
The FTO mark is a means of identification which sets FTOs apart from other commercial businesses, making them recognizable to consumers as mission driven organizations whose core activity is fair trade. It also gives FTOs definable recognition amongst existing and new business partners, governments and donors who wish to support fair trade activities - providing wider market opportunities for producers.
Registered organizations identify themselves as FTOs by displaying the FTO Mark on stationery, websites, posters and other promotional material.
Unlike the FAIRTRADE Label, the FTO Mark is not a product label - it has not been designed as a label to appear on handcrafts or other products. It is a mark to identify Fair Trade Organizations.
More info at www.ifat.org/theftomark.shtml
Right now, the FTO Mark is on a Global Journey promotional tour. The latest information on the Global Journey can be found at www.ifat.org/globaljourney/index/shtml. The Global Journey will be coming to Australia and New Zealand in July 2006.