Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers - especially in the South.

Fair Trade:

Is a business model that creates trading partnerships based on equity, transparency, respect and sustainability.

Seeks to provide direct trade partnerships, and opportunities to escape poverty and build sustainable livelihoods, to producers, artisans and farmers in developing countries.

Is a “civil society” movement.  It is something we, as private citizens and consumers, can do to help producers and farmers marginalized by the current world order and trading systems

How Does the Fair Trade System Work?

The Fair Trade System allows for products and organizations to be labeled as Fair Trade if they meet a strict set of minimum criteria that ensure ethics, fairness and responsibility in the supply chain.   The FLO-I mark  is used for commodities and products made from commodities. This mark is monitored by the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation International (FLO-I) which was established in 1997 to unite many separate labelling initiatives.

The Fair Trade Organization (FTO) mark was launched in 2004 and is monitored by the International Federation of Alternative Trade (IFAT).  The FTO Mark is an organization label that identifies and gives global recognition to Fair Trade Organizations that meet Fair Trade criteria.   There are over 150 organizations registered including Oxfam, PeopleTree, the Network of European World Shops and Cafédirect.

For more information on Fair Trade including a large Q & A section, please read the presentation made by Footprint Singapore at the 1 Degree Festival.

You can visit the following web-sites for more information on Fair Trade:

villagexchange

Fairtrade Labelling Organisations Int’l

International Federation of Alternative Trade

Fairtrade Foundation