Certified Organics:

Fairtrade

by The House of Pillows Editorial Writers

Why the need for Fairtrade certificate?

For the average person there are little steps anyone can do to make the world we live in a little better. One option is being a more conscious consumer. From buying organic and eco products and thus help protecting the environment and your health, to spending your money on goods that guarantee everyone in the supply chain getting a fair share of the profit.

How does this influence you?

This means there is a way YOU can help reduce poverty. Fairtrade International is an organisation with a long history (since 1988) of ensuring that farmers at the beginning of the supply chain get properly paid for their produce, allowing them the opportunity to improve their lives and plan for their future. Every product labeled with The FAIRTRADE Mark ensures that a better deal and improved terms of trade have been made between the producers and traders.

Producers and traders are subjected to rigorous audits to examine the compliance with strict standards and requirements needed for obtaining the certification.

How does Fairtrade international work?

By buying a product labeled with The FAIRTRADE Mark, you help:

1. producers cover the costs of sustainable production (The Fairtrade Minimum Price),
2. producers or for the workers on a plantation to invest in improving the quality of their lives (The Fairtrade Premium),
3. preventing and effectively eliminating all forms of Forced Labour, Child Labour and human trafficking,
4. regular workers getting good employment conditions including adequate wages, leave time, social security and working environment meeting health and safety requirements,
5. reaching gender equality, women empowerment and elimination of sexual harassment,
6. financial pre-funding of small farms for improvement of productivity, quality and environmentally responsible production.

Cotton is one of the various Fairtrade products (incl. Bananas, Cocoa, Coffee, Tea, Sugar, Fresh fruit, Honey, Gold, Juice, Rice, Spices and Herbs, etc.).

According to Fairtrade International, ninety percent of the worlds cotton farmers live in the developing countries. So far, farmers invested about 41 percent of the Fairtrade Premium in community projects for education, healthcare and infrastructure development. Fairtrade encourages and empowers cotton farmers to protect the natural environment as an integral part of their farm management. There are currently 22 Fairtrade certified producer organizations with 65% also holding organic certification. Organic certified cotton only accounts for about 1 percent of the world’s cotton output however, Fairtrade does not certify any cotton seeds that are known to be genetically modified.

Now you know. It’s your turn – Be the change you want to see in the world!

Why is Fairtrade mark  & other certificates important, for you as well as us? Coming soon… a post on “What is certified organics and why do you want it?”

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