Fair Trade Standards

Your Fair Trade Purchases Support:

A Living Wage

The Fair Trade pricing system enables workers to receive a livable income that covers their basic needs, which include food, shelter, education and health care for their families. Fair Traders pay producers promptly and, if necessary, help them with access to pre-harvest or pre-production financing.

Long Term Investment in People

Fair Trade is about building direct, long-term and stable relationships between importers and producers. Long term contracts are a key component of Fair Trade because they provide farmers and artisans with consistent work and job security.

Environmental Sustainability

Fair Trade actively encourages environmentally friendly production by promoting the use of local and recycled materials, sustainable harvesting techniques and organic farming practices. Fair Trade farmers are required to implement integrated crop management and are given price incentives as well as ongoing trainings, to help facilitate their transition to organic farming. Currently 85% of all Fair Trade certified coffee is organic.

Empowerment for Women

Fair Trade provides employment without discrimination and ensures equal pay for equal work for both women and men. According to the Fair Trade Federation, 70% of Fair Trade artisans are women, who are often the sole wage earners in their homes. Fair Trade not only allows women to earn an income, while attending to their daily tasks, but also provides them with leadership positions and an equal voice in decision making.

Learn more about Fair Trade and women.

Safe and Healthy Working Conditions

Fair Trade means a safe and healthy working environment for artisans and farmers and no forced or exploitive child labor.

Transparent Trade Terms

Fair Trade ensures transparent trade terms throughout the supply chain. Finances, management policies and business practices of businesses engaged in Fair Trade are transparent and open to public accountability.