THE FAIRTRADE CERTIFICATION SYSTEM
• Fairtrade is an ethical certification system and movement with a people first approach to trade. Fairtrade offers farmers and workers in developing countries a better deal– the opportunity to improve their lives and plan for their future. Fairtrade offers consumers a powerful way to reduce poverty and instigate change through their everyday shopping.
WHY IS FAIRTRADE IMPORTANT
• Poverty remains widespread amongst tea, coffee, cocoa, cotton sports ball producers around the world, who face an uncertain future due to range of factors including volatile world prices which have left many struggling to support themselves and their families.
THE FAIRTRADE DIFFERENCE
• Today more than six million people – farmers, producers, workers and their families – across 58 developing countries in Africa, Asia, Oceania, Latin America and the Caribbean benefit from the Fairtrade system.
Fairtrade delivers a better deal for farmers and producers in the developing world through the Fairtrade standards:
_ The Fairtrade Price - a designated fair and stable price for most products, aimed at
covering the cost of sustainable production and helping protect them from damaging
fluctuations in world market prices.
_ The Fairtrade Premium - an additional sum of money for investment in social, economic and environmental development - helping them grow their businesses and invest in their communities by building roads, schools and hospitals.
_ Security of long-term contracts and access to pre-financing
_ Improved working conditions through core International Labor Organization (ILO)
conventions.
_ Requiring environmentally sustainability farming and production practices.
_ Providing democracy within decision making processes including Fairtrade Premium use.
• A product is Fairtrade Certified if it carries the Fairtrade Label – an easy
way for consumers to recognise and choose products that have met internationally agreed Fairtrade Standards.
• A product bearing the Fairtrade Label means independent certification
against the Fairtrade standards has taken place at each step of the commercial supply chain: FLO-CERT certifies all Fairtrade producer organisations and is the only ISO 65 accredited certification body for an ethical label.
• In Australia, common Fairtrade Certified & Labelled products include coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate,hot chocolate, cotton and sports balls. Fairtrade Certified & Labelled rice, sugar and quinoa are also available. A variety of these products can be found in major supermarkets, independent retailers, organic and health food stores; through office supply companies; as well as hundreds of cafes across the country. A number of major coffee chains now have their own Fairtrade blends and several Australian airlines serve Fairtrade tea, coffee and chocolate on their flights.
