How can I tell if a product is FAIRTRADE or not?

Over 2,000 products now carry the FAIRTRADE Mark which is your independent guarantee that the product really does make a difference to some of the poorest farmers in the world. The Fairtrade Foundation is an independent charity that awards this stamp of approval to products that meet international standards. The Foundation does not itself buy or sell any products but works with all those who do – from farm to shopping basket – to turn the ambitious dreams of Fairtrade into part of everyone’s daily shopping.

The Fairtrade Foundation belongs to the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation (FLO) an international organisation that sets standards for producer organisations and defines the terms of trade that qualify products as Fairtrade. To put the sought after FAIRTRADE Mark on their products, companies must pay the set price and buy only from certified producer organisations. That way people can choose products with the FAIRTRADE Mark, confident that the marginalised producers in developing countries, really are getting a better deal.

In addition, there are some fairly traded products such as crafts, clothes, textiles and jewellery which are available from outlets such as Oxfam and Traidcraft which do not carry the Mark. This is because international standards do not yet exist for these types of products. However, since organisations such as Oxfam and Traidcraft exist for the main purpose of challenging poverty and promoting justice in trading, their products can be trusted as being fairly traded.

 

 

 

 

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