Fair Trade, What Does It Mean?

Should the modern concept of fair trade, an ancient term that was given its current identity in the Netherlands more than 20 years ago, be subject to a growing exclusivity? Should fair trade be free from official restriction to allow, and maybe more importantly encourage, anyone who wants to make a positive contribution to do so?

We at bestfairtrade.com have been battling with these questions. Our research into the global fair trade community has yielded an increasing number of cases in which companies and individuals, who are proactive and committed members of the fair trade industry are being sidelined because they cannot afford to gain the very accreditation that their work, in some respects, should achieve by default. Not that for one minute anyone should think that we are proposing a "free-for-all" with fair trade. It is only through the dedication of established organisations such as the World Fair Trade Organisation (IFAT) and the Fairtrade Foundation, that the validity of fair trade products has been able to gain widespread consumer approval.

It is simply the fact that a growing number of individuals and organisations are being excluded from official, and thus consumer, recognition. Currently, for a manufacturer or service provider to gain official accreditation (such as the mark of the Fairtrade Foundation) for their product they may have to go through a lengthy application process, which, if successful, allows them to feature the mark in return for a small percentage of their income.

Whilst this process seems to be both fair and reasonably priced, the timescales, indirect costs and strict product criteria often leave smaller businesses unable to gain the endorsement that their larger, corporate backed rivals so easily achieve. It is this that most notably highlights the exclusion element of the current system.

So what could be done to change this? It is foolish to suggest that there should be no official governing bodies to ensure that when a product is labeled "fair trade", it is fair trade. Much in the same way that eggs must be labeled "Free Range" or "From Caged Hens", products labeled "fair trade" must conform to a designated criteria or the entire system becomes open to widespread abuse. What may however be advancement to the current system is to allow smaller businesses to advertise their products as "fair trade" or "fairly traded" if they conform to a more general set of agreed criteria.

This would allow many more small businesses to bene?t from the ever growing global fair trade economy. Look out for our bestfairtrade.com stamp of approval – this means that we are confident that the company is doing its best to uphold the standards of fair trade, even though it is not officially certified. Many companies are striving to get official recognition – in some cases it can take several years to get international fair trade certification but we recognise their actions now.

Until independent certification is available for other products such as gifts, crafts, accessories and certain types of clothing, we feel that it is important to support those suppliers, manufacturers and communities who demonstrate their support for fair trade principles, and who are trying to benefit the communities in which they work and trade. This also includes co-operatives and communities who are striving to maintain traditional skills and crafts. We would class these individuals and companies as promoters of fair trade or purveyors of fairly traded goods.

To read more articles like this on eco friendly products, ethical clothing and organic food and drink visit www.greeenrewards.co.uk.