Fair Trade
Fair trade certification works similar to being certified organic. The certification marks products that abide by the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) standards. The standards promote environmental sustainability, and connect importers with cooperatives and individual farmers that follow social, economic, and environmental standards. Through fair trade, farmers benefit by gaining direct access to buyers and the US market. If a product has fair trade certification, consumers can recognize and support the just trading policies of the producer by purchasing their product. This ensures that farmers will receive profits.The organization behind the certification in the United States is Fair Trade USA. Here are the steps to have your company or product to become fair trade certified:
Farmers and Growers
Fair Trade USA has specific standards for varying raw products, such as coffee beans and cocoa beans. Individual farmers and cooperatives usually in developing countries apply for fair trade certification and will receive it once all the standards are met.
Just as how certain companies choose to buy certified organic for reasons such as increasing their image (showing that they are environmentally friendly and are using healthy ingredients), companies will buy fair trade certified ingredients to prove that they have an eye on world economic, social, and environmental issues.
Final Production and Products
Final products can only be fair trade certified if every single ingredient is certified, and that alone isn't enough. The production process also has to be looked at. Fair Trade USA will check worker conditions and wages at factories that produce fair trade products to make sure they meet the standards. When all this is met, The final product is certified and can carry the certification logo.
Becoming Fair Trade Certified
Working with Fair Trade USA
Fair Trade USA maintains lists of every certified cooperative, and can connect a business with producers that fit its needs. In this regard, it is very easy to obtain certification. All you must do is choose one of the approved producers. If their product is used in an additional production process, you must get that process certified. Once this is completed you may proudly display the certification logo on your product or service!