1. The World of Handmade & Fair Trade
December 7, 2016
The World of Handmade & Fair Trade

2. What is Fair Trade? 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 [Global] South.
-FINE Network (Fairtrade Labelling Organizations, International Fair Trade Association, Network of European Shops, European Fair Trade Association), 1998

3. Who are Fair Trade Federation Members?
Businesses that only practice fair trade and follow ALL of the fair trade principles
Screened against the FTF Code of Practice – a rigorous process
Work with small scale producer groups; in handmade, these are organizations that can’t be certified
Small to medium sized businesses – not multinational corporations or large scale manufacturing

4. Purchasing Practices in Fair Trade
Design is a partnership

5. Purchasing Practices in the World of Handmade
Pricing is a discussion

6. Purchasing Practices in the World of Handmade
Quality control is a process

7. Evolution of fair trade in North America and Globally
1970s - An informal network of fair traders including the pioneers of the fair trade movement – Ten Thousand Villages USA, Serrv, Aid through Trade, Third World Shoppe of Fort Wayne, and others – meets regularly for collaboration.
Early 1980s – This group is loosely organized into NAATO (North American Alternative Trade Organization) which later becomes the Fair Trade Federation.
Late 1980s – Creation of the International Federation of Alternative Trade (IFAT), a global organization of producer groups and buyers. Later becomes the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO.)
Late 1980s – Creation of the Max Havelaar label, which later becomes Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International (FLO.) Set standards for fair trade agricultural products.
Fair trade includes multiple certifiers and membership organizations, both global and national, with different approaches to fair trade practices.
Code of Practice Revisions – Commodities, now Retailers

8. Fair Trade in the US Market

9. Fair Trade in the US Market
Research shows that shoppers in the US are looking for ethical options – consumers want to “shop their values”
Opportunity: We can create real impact!
Challenge: Increasing number of labels, certifications, and claims on the market. How do fair traders differentiate ourselves in a real and meaningful way?

10. FTF Screening Process
The Code of Practice explains requirements under each fair trade principle.
Application focuses on purchasing practices and internal vetting systems.
Acceptance rate is 60-65%.
Yearly rescreening to ensure ongoing practice.
Handmade products cannot be fair trade certified. The FTF screening process is the most widely recognized verification system for handmade in Canada and the US, along with the WFTO Guarantee System globally.

11. WFTO Guarantee System - Global membership body
– GS includes a self assessment, peer audit, and organizational audit.

12. Navigating Fair Trade in the Handmade Sector Worldwide
Membership Organizations: World Fair Trade Organization (worldwide) and Fair Trade Federation (US/Canada) - (fully committed fair trade )
Regional Bodies: WFTO Africa, WFTO Latin America, etc
National Networks (fully committed fair trade)
Includes KEFAT, Fair Trade Forum India, Fair Trade Nepal, and many others

13. Differentiating Fair Trade Businesses
2. Membership Organizations (FTF or WFTO) provide verification of fair trade practices

14. Differentiating Fair Trade Businesses
3. If you have well-established clients, ask them what they are looking for in terms of workplace audits (SA 8000, internal audits, etc.)

15. Differentiating Fair Trade Businesses?
Regardless of which system you choose, establish ongoing systems for gathering and documenting information.

16. Beyond Verification: Building a Community and a Global Supply Chain
This is who we are. 16

17. Beyond Verification: Building a Community
“Our job as pioneers, as
visionaries, as Don Quixotes,
is to admit success as fair traders and create a new high bar, a new impossible dream. How do we work together to create something bigger?”
-Jonathan Rosenthal

18. For more information: Renee Bowers, Executive Director
Code of Practice: