Becoming Fair Trade

That little black label that’s been popping up on bags of coffee and bottles of wine has been gaining momentum and influence in the retail world. The Fairtrade organization estimates that one million farmers and workers, coming from 58 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, are currently a part of Fair Trade-certified production.

Producers looking to become Fair Trade-certified follow an application process. Once certified, labourers benefit from improved working conditions, producers benefit from Fair Trade-standard pricing, and the environment benefits from green goals.

The certification process:

Step one: Application

Producers submit an application online or by mail to FLO-CERT, the fair trade certification organization. The application requires information about what is being grown on the farm, whether it’s organic and it’s place of origin. The producer also provides information on the business of the farm: whether it’s a plantation that hires labour, a small farm where only seasonal help is required or any other model. The application process costs 500 euro, or about CAD$800.
 

Step two: Audit

A date is fixed for the audit. In the case of a plantation, during the audit, management needs to prove that they have clear, attainable goals to improve working conditions for labourers. For example, salaries must meet living wages, or be on their way there. All workers enjoy equal rights, or have the ability to, and a health and safety policy is in place. Management must also have clear environmental goals and cannot grow genetically modified organisms. The first audit is free.
 

Step Three: Audit Evaluation

The audit is evaluated and returned to the producer. If the producer fails to meet any standard it must be reworked and reaudited. After the first audit, producers pay per audit.
 

Step Four: Certification

Three-year certification is issued once all the standards are adequately met. Regular check-ups and new goals are made to improve the working and environmental conditions of the farm. After three years, another three-year certification is issued based the check-ups. This three-year cycle continues indefinitely.