Fair Trade - guidelines

Fair trade is concerned about human rights. The goal of fair trade certificates is to give people a chance to pull their weight in the fight improve living conditions in the poorer regions of the world. In short the goals can be summed up as:

• To insure fair pay for workers and producers
• Do fight against discriminations based on gender, race or religion
• Fight against child labor
• To promote organic agriculture
• To promote democratization at the same time as people receive quality goods

Small farmers and craftsmen in the developing countries are often struggling on the world market. In order to access and stay afloat on the larger markets, farmers are often forced to lower their prices and work in poor conditions, at the same time as their profits are considerably reduced by intermediates. As a result many farmers do not receive a fair pay for their work and are unable to feed their families.

Fair Trade is a special kind of business relationship between producers, importers, retailers and consumers which aims to be open, mutually beneficial and respective of each participant. Fair Trade is not based on grants or subsidies, but rather on insurance to farmers for fair pay, safe working environment, further development and respect for human rights as well as the environment, which is the basis of a secure economical and social development.

Bananas, coco, sugar, coffee, tea, mango, honey, oranges, cotton products, toys, soccer balls and juices are some of the products which can receive a fair trade certificate.
The international Marks of fair trade go by various names (depending on countries), Max Havelaar / Fairtrade/ Transfair. The Marks all stand for the same and are authorized by the Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO) an umbrella organisation of 20 Labelling Initiatives in Europe as well as Canada, the United States, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

Controling takes place annually, or even more often if need be. In addition to that every retailer with Fair trade certified products must show quarterly reports.

Grafik: A symbol exclusively used for fair trade at nature.is ©Nature.is.

Graphic: A symbol exclusively used for Fair trade at nature.is ©Nature.is.