certifications have become a key component to ensuring that a product is made ethically, creating a lasting, positive social impact for the people of this planet. Established in 1992, the Fairtrade Foundation continuously strives to heighten the standards of modern production by not only securing living wages, workers’ rights, and safe working conditions for the workers and farmers that create our commercial items but also by guiding consumers into supporting ethically made products of greater quality. When shopping for businesses or products that are certified through Fairtrade, one contributes to both the battle against climate change, as well as the ongoing fight for worker fairness and equality. 

Well known for its holistic approach to creating a better future for our planet, Fairtrade possesses a plethora of both environmental and social benefits. The foundation actively promotes environmental protection through enforcing standards for greenhouse gas emissions reductions, biodiversity protection, waste management, and GMO restrictions, to name a few. Because a large portion of their advocacy is dedicated towards farmers, Fairtrade also offers sustainable training and eco-friendly farming techniques for these farmers, providing them access to new technologies such as nutrient-rich soils and less toxic pesticides. The organization specializes in assisting farmers with not only financial needs but also environmental expertise, so workers or companies can access the resources they need to contribute to the world of sustainability. 

As for the social advantages of Fairtrade, the foundation works towards empowering farmers and workers so that they can obtain fair wages, hours, and working conditions. Fairtrade also supports trade unions and collective bargaining, hoping that these methods can guarantee ethical terms and conditions for their work, as well as gender equality standards. The organization also demonstrates its commitment to generating positive change through participating in numerous forms of community engagement, including investing in improved education, schools, housing, and medical facilities for all the people who work under their certified factories and farms. 

With transparency at the core of its principles, the Fairtrade Foundation uploads the entirety of their social impact reports and financial statements annually, confirming their commitments to sustainability and ethical production. To buy from a Fairtrade-certified business is to buy from a brand that is transparent, ethical, and environmentally conscious. 

LEARN MORE: Fairtrade’s 10 Main Principles