FAIR TRADE

THE FAIR TRADE GIFT SHOP is supplied exclusively by our parent company, World Art & Crafts Ltd. World Art & Crafts have been Fair Trade importers since 1988 and are Certified Importers and Suppliers to BAFTS the British Association for Fair Trade Shops.

BAFTS is generally recognized as the UK's leading Fair Trade Organization, and its members undergo lengthy and rigorous vetting procedures prior to acceptance as Fair Trade Retailers or Certified Importers. Although BAFTS does not represent producers it has a direct link to producers through its Directory of Fair Trade Importers.

IFAT is the International Fair Trade Association; the global network of Fair Trade Organizations. There are over 270 Fair Trade Organizations in the IFAT network and membership is growing steadily.

FAIR TRADE CRITERIA & OBJECTIVES

The BAFTS Fair Trade Criteria:

The general objective of the Fair Trade movement is the promotion of changes in the structure of world trade which work towards the building of a fair society. The primary methods are the sourcing, importing and retailing of fairly traded goods. Other methods include spreading information and raising awareness of the issues involved. The British Association for Fair Trade Shops have established the following general criteria:

1. All aspects to be guided by principles of mutual respect, love, justice and equal partnership.
2. Displaying transparency on information, aims and working practices.
3. Paying fair prices to producer groups, to reflect the true costs of production. These would cover areas such as product development, transport, environmental protection and social development.
4. Ensuring individual workers receive fair wages.
5. Ensuring favourable conditions for employees, with particular attention paid to the situation of women so as not to perpetuate historical inequalities.
6. Promoting high/improving product quality.
7. Showing a preference for products which are of particular benefit or significance to countries in the South e.g. coffee, cocoa, sugar, textiles and finished products (as opposed to raw materials).
8. Respecting traditional crafts and encouraging their development.
9. Encouraging sound environmental policies.
10. Developing long term relationships with producers.

The IFAT definition of Fair Trade:

Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that 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.

The 10 IFAT standards of Fair Trade:

1. 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.
2. Transparency and accountability - Fair Trade involves transparent management and commercial relations to deal fairly and respectfully with trading partners.
3. Capacity building - Fair Trade is a means to develop producers' independence. Fair Trade relationships provide continuity during which producers and their marketing organizations can improve their management skills and their access to new markets.
4. Promoting Fair Trade - Fair Trade Organizations raise awareness of Fair Trade and the possibility of greater justice in world trade. They provide customers with information about the organization, the products, and in what conditions they are made. They use honest advertising and marketing techniques and aim for the highest standards in product quality and packing.
5. Payment of a fair price - A fair price in the region 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. Fair Traders ensure prompt payment to their partners and, whenever possible, help producers with access to pre-harvest or pre-production financing.
6. Gender Equality - Fair Trade means that women's work is properly valued and rewarded. Women are always paid for their contribution to the production process and are empowered in their organizations.
7. 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.
8. Child Labour - Organizations working directly with informally organized producers disclose the involvement of children in production.
9. The environment - Fair Trade actively encourages better environmental practices and the application of responsible methods of production.
10. Trade Relations - Fair Trade Organizations trade with concern for the social, economic and environmental well-being of marginalized small producers and do not maximize profit at their expense. They maintain long-term relationships based on solidarity, trust and mutual respect that contribute to the promotion and growth of Fair Trade. Whenever possible producers are assisted with access to pre-harvest or pre-production advance payment.

The FINE definition of Fair Trade:

A working group from four leading international Fair Trade networks, including IFAT, has come up with the following definition and guidelines for fair trade which are known as the FINE criteria.

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 organizations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practices of conventional international trade.

The FINE goals of Fair Trade:

1. To improve the livelihoods and well being of producers by improving market access, strengthening producer organizations, paying a better price and providing continuity in the trading relationship.
2. To promote development opportunities for disadvantaged producers, especially women and indigenous people and to protect children from exploitation in the production process.
3. To raise awareness among consumers of the negative effects on producers of international trade so that they exercise their purchasing power positively.
4. To set an example of partnership in trade through dialogue, transparency and respect.
5. To campaign for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.
6. To protect human rights by promoting social justice, sound environmental practices and economic security.

Fair Trade Labelling Organizations International (FLO)
International Federation for Alternative Trade (IFAT)
Network of European World Shops (NEWS)
European Fair Trade Association