standards are designed to address poverty and motivate producers and traders to employ ethical working regulations and environments. The standards include economic, environmental and social criteria that are required by traders and producers in order to obtain and retain Fairtrade certification.

The economic criteria cites the Fairtrade Minimum Price, providing a safety net for producers, improving the quality and security of businesses. They also encourage long-term trading partnerships, stabilizing producers’ operations. The environmental criteria requires ecologically and agriculturally sound practices. This includes but is not limited to water and waste management, biodiversity preservation, and minimal use of pesticides. Also, Fairtrade prohibits the use of many hazardous materials and all GMOs. Lastly, the social criteria ensures ethical labor standards. For small-scale producers, Fairtrade requires democratic self-organization, transparency and non-discrimination. For larger producers with hired labor, standards also require non-discriminatory practices, a baseline of local or federal minimum wage pay rates, freedom of association and bargaining rights, and worker safety and health safeguards. Forced labor and child labor are strictly prohibited.

Furthermore, Fairtrade holds standards for various food and drink ingredients, such as cane sugar, cacao, coffee, fresh fruits, honey, and more. These certifications ensure specific attention allotted to each industry, navigating distinctions in each area.

LEARN MORE: Fairtrade Foundation Certifications

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