Fair trade, what does it mean?

We know from speaking to our customers that Fair Trade can seem like a vast and complex subject area. What we’ve tried to do here is give you a comprehensive insight into the principles of Fair Trade.

Fair trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, which 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 organisations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.

Key Fair Trade Principles

Fair trade advocates generally support the following principles and practices in trading relationships:

Creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers

Fair Trade is a strategy for poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Its purpose is to create opportunities for producers who have been economically disadvantaged or marginalized by the conventional trading system.
Transparency and Accountability

Fair trade involves transparent management and commercial relations to deal fairly and respectfully with trading partners.
Capacity Building

Fair trade is a means to develop producers’ independence. Fair trade relationships provide continuity, during which producers and their marketing organisations can improve their management skills and their access to new markets.
Payment of a Fair Price

A fair price in the regional or local context is one that has been agreed through dialogue and participation. It covers not only the costs of production but enables production which is socially just and environmentally sound.

It provides fair pay to the producers and takes into account the principle of equal pay for equal work by women and men. Fairtraders ensure prompt payment to their partners and, whenever possible, help producers with access to pre-harvest or pre-production financing. They also provide money for free primary schools and health care, which really help the people who are not earning enough to send their children to school.
Gender Equality

Fair trade means that the work of women and men is properly valued and rewarded. Each person is always paid for their contribution to the production process and are empowered in their organizations, regardless of gender.
Safe Working Conditions

Fair trade means a safe and healthy working environment for producers. The participation of children (if any) does not adversely affect their well-being, security, educational requirements and need for play and conforms to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as well as the law and norms in the local context.
Environmental Protection

Fair trade actively encourages better environmental practices and the application of responsible methods of production. Fair trade certifiers for example strictly prohibit the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), promote integrated farm management systems that improve soil fertility, and limit the use of harmful agrochemicals in favour of environmentally sustainable farming methods that protect farmers' health and preserve valuable ecosystems for future generations.

The Fair Trade Mark

The FAIRTRADE Mark is a registered certification label for products sourced from producers in developing countries.

For a product to display the FAIRTRADE Mark it must meet international Fairtrade standards which are set by the international certification body Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO). These standards are agreed through a process of research and consultation with key participants in the Fairtrade scheme, including
producers themselves, traders, NGOs, academic institutions and labelling organisations such as the Fairtrade Foundation.

Would you like to know more about how we do fair trade? Please visit our Uneeka, a lifestyle made fair pages for more information.