prioritizes small-scale farmers and producers, who tend to be the most marginalized contributors to the global trade system. The standards include economic, environmental and social criteria that are required by traders and producers in order to obtain and retain 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.

LEARN MORE: Fairtrade Foundation Certifications

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