Many people use the term “Fair Trade”, but what does it actually mean? In 2018, more than 250 organisations around the world united to answer this question. The Charter was its result: it represents a joint effort by global Fair…
WFTO celebrates the International Fair Trade Charter as a significant milestone in advancing the principles and values of Fair Trade worldwide. The Charter embodies a collective vision that reaffirms the core principles of Fair Trade, including social and economic justice…
Every second Saturday of May, WFTO celebrates World Fair Trade Day to shine a spotlight on the transformative power of the Fair Trade business model and its positive impact on people’s lives and communities. Every year, the theme of the campaign…
During the month of April, when the world commemorates the Rana Plaza disaster of 2013, a significant portion of the fashion community critically rethinks how the entire fashion system is set up, and how we can move towards more sustainable…
Every year, from the 1st to the 8th of March, we raise awareness about women’s rights to honour their vital contributions and achievements in the Fair Trade movement. If you are a woman working for a Fair Trade Enterprise, you…
The “Circular Fashion Transformation Toolkit” is a valuable resource designed to support business support organisations in promoting circular and sustainable practices within the fashion industry, with a focus on small and medium-sized fashion enterprises. The toolkit aligns with the objectives…
Which are the main circularity trade-offs to be solved? Which are the obstacles & advantages of implementing circularity in fashion? How to shift from linear to circular fashion business models in fashion? Which are the main circular business models in…
Understand the basic financial rules that determine if your business can be profitable and to have an overview of different instruments you can use to fund your business idea. Every successful business starts with defining the purpose of the organisation:…
Read the latest Small But Perfect Toolkit, Logistics by Impact Hub Lisbon and Sonia Ferreira. Sustainability and circularity have become increasingly important when designing supply chain networks. The main difficulty in choosing the most sustainable choice is considering the different…
The concept of Extended Lifetime aims to shift the focus from fast fashion and disposability to a more mindful and conscious consumption of clothing through various methods, including repairs, recycling, and up-cycling. The Digital Layer refers to the use of…
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17-20 SEPT 2024 – CAPE TOWN
We are thrilled to invite you to our upcoming International Fair Trade Summit, set to take place in the vibrant city of Cape Town, from the 17th to the 20th of September 2024.
The International Fair Trade Summit aims to bring together leaders, practitioners, and advocates from all corners of the globe to collaborate and promote Fair Trade practices. This edition promises to be a unique opportunity for participants to engage in enlightening discussions, exchange ideas, and forge partnerships that will shape the future of Fair Trade.
All trading members of WFTO. This includes all organisations that have more than half of their income and/or more than €100,000 in income from trade.
An organisation whose primary mission is to support Fair Trade and/or provide services to organisations that are or want to become Fair Trade Organisations.
An organisation which is an association of organisations committed to Fair Trade.
Individual Associates are supporters of the Fair Trade movement with limited rights. The WFTO Guarantee System does not apply to them.
Associate Organisations align with WFTO’s values but after their application. They do not undergo monitoring and also have limited rights.
Candidates have been conditionally approved for membership but have not completed their first monitoring cycle under the WFTO Guarantee System. They have limited rights within WFTO. They may not use the WFTO Member Mark and Product Label or claim that they are monitored by WFTO.
Guaranteed members have met the WFTO Membership requirements and are monitored under the WFTO Guarantee System.
Organisations that have no or little income from trade go through a reduced version of the WFTO Guarantee System that does not include criteria related to trade. These organisations may use the WFTO Member Mark but cannot use the Product Label for any products they may be trading to support their mission. This status only applies to Fair Trade Networks (FTN) and Support Organisations (FTSO).
Members who are in the process of renewing their guaranteed status and are overdue on some requirements retain full rights while they work to meet the demands of the Guarantee System on an administrative or compliance level.
WFTO welcomes applications from established Fair Trade Organisations as well as organisations that support Fair Trade. Individuals in their capacity as researchers, writers, consultants and specialists in their field who can contribute solid skills, knowledge and expertise to WFTO and members are also welcome.
Compliance with the WFTO 10 Principles of Fair Trade. Please have a look at the WFTO Fair Trade Standard for more specific information on compliance with these principles.
All applicant organisations must already be duly registered (as a legal entity) and active for at least one year.
All companies, partnerships, co-partnerships and other legal bodies – as determined by the legal provisions of the country of the member concerned – that are directly engaged in Fair Trade. They may be producers or northern or southern based trading FTOs for whom Fair Trade is the main activity. To qualify for FTO membership, income from sales (turnover) must account for 50% or more of the total income. Applications for FTO membership cannot be accepted from organisations with no prior sales history.
Legal entities whose primary function is to serve as national or international associations of Fair Trade producers and/or Fair Trade Organisations.
Fair Trade Organisations where trading is not the main activity (proportion of trade is less than 50% of total income). These organisations are engaged in Fair Trade indirectly, through activities that promote and support Fair Trade. These activities can include business counselling, finance, advocacy or networking.
This is a special category for national or international organisations that are interested in supporting and promoting Fair Trade, including donor organisations. Organisations that do not meet the one-year legal existence requirement also fit in this group.
Individual researchers, writers, consultants and specialists in their field that can support WFTO. WFTO expects its individual associates to be active Fair Trade supporters whose experience and expertise in their own particular field can be of practical benefit to WFTO's members. To apply, please submit a curriculum vitae.
While FTO, FTN and FTSO are entitled to full WFTO membership, organizational and individual associates have only limited rights.
The WFTO Product Label is more than just a Fair Trade symbol. It signifies not only that the practices across the supply chain are checked against the WFTO Fair Trade Standard, but it also represents support to the battle against poverty and inequality. Products carrying the WFTO Label are made and traded by Guaranteed Fair Trade Organisations dedicated to the sustainable Fair Trade economy. Every purchase of products with the WFTO Label supports small producers and their communities.
