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BECOME A WFTO MEMBER

How to Join?

Berlin Summit how to join wfto

how to Join?

Organisations fully committed to the Fair Trade Principles and Code of Practice are welcome to join WFTO. Potential applicants are encouraged to do a self-check against the membership prerequisites to determine eligibility to apply. 

Approval of applications is based on compliance with our Fair Trade Standard and 10 Fair Trade Principles. Apart from the yearly membership fees (see fee calculator), there is also a one-time application fee that is explained further in the membership fee policy.

Enterprises that have the majority of their income from trade may apply as a Fair Trade Organisation or a Fair Trade Network. If your organisation does not fall in the above membership types, we welcome you to have a closer look at becoming an Associate Organisation of WFTO. See more on the different membership types here.

Newly approved applicants become Candidates with limited rights. Full membership is attained after the organisation has successfully passed the first Monitoring Audit.

Application Requirements

A mission-led enterprise wishing to apply must be able to demonstrate:

  • Commitment to our 10 Fair Trade Principles and Code of Practice;

    Commitment to our 10 Fair Trade Principles and Code of Practice;

  • Commitment to having a positive social and environmental impact, thanks to a business model that puts people and the planet first, and/or providing opportunities for economically marginalised groups as the core mission of their enterprise;

    Commitment to having a positive social and environmental impact, thanks to a business model that puts people and the planet first, and/or providing opportunities for economically marginalised groups as the core mission of their enterprise;

  • Sound economic performance and being able to submit the most recent annual financial statements, together with a copy of their constitution or company registration documents; and

    Sound economic performance and being able to submit the most recent annual financial statements, together with a copy of their constitution or company registration documents; and

  • Sustainable and ethical practices in their production processes/supply chain.

    Sustainable and ethical practices in their production processes/supply chain.

Step by Step

Apply for Membership

Apply for Membership

Create an account with WFTO and download the application form, which will allow you to tell us how your business is mission-led Once you have filled in the application form, please upload it together with the requested supporting documents onto your online profile. Following the approval of your application, you will reach Candidate status.
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Step 01
Self Assessment Report (SAR)

Self Assessment Report (SAR)

The SAR helps you check that your way of working is in line with the WFTO Fair Trade Standard. It needs to be completed within 1 year of becoming a Candidate.
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Step 02
Monitoring Audit

Monitoring Audit

A Guarantee System auditor from your region will look at your SAR and review supporting information during a visit. They will also visit a selection of your suppliers to check conditions and practices. WFTO will review the audit report. You may need to set up an improvement plan before we approve Guaranteed status.
Step 03

Once you are a WFTO member, there is a regular monitoring cycle we follow. Normally, trading organisations (FTOs) need to update their Self-Assessment Report once every two years and go through the Desk Audit and the Monitoring Audit once every four years (the Desk Audit and the Monitoring Audit alternate each other every two years). Contact us if you would like to receive further information on the monitoring schedule and requirements.

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If you want to contact any of our staff members (not Board) please write to the First Name (ex: Paul)@wfto.com

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WFTO Membership & Associate Types

  • Fair Trade Organisations (FTO)

    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.

  • Fair Trade Support Organisations (FTSO)

    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.

  • Fair Trade Networks (FTN)

    An organisation which is an association of organisations committed to Fair Trade.

  • Individual Associates (IA)

    Individual Associates are supporters of the Fair Trade movement with limited rights. The WFTO Guarantee System does not apply to them.

  • Associate Organisations (AO)

    Associate Organisations align with WFTO’s values but after their application. They do not undergo monitoring and also have limited rights.

WFTO Guarantee System Monitoring Statuses

  • Candidates

    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

    Guaranteed members have met the WFTO Membership requirements and are monitored under the WFTO Guarantee System.

  • Member

    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).

  • Renewal in Progress

    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.

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WHO CAN APPLY

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.

Add Your Heading Text Initial requirements for organisations:

  • 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.

Who can apply?

  • Fair Trade Organisations (FTO)

    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.

  • Fair Trade Networks (FTN)

    Legal entities whose primary function is to serve as national or international associations of Fair Trade producers and/or Fair Trade Organisations.

  • Fair Trade Support Organisations (FTSO)

    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.

  • Associate Organisations

    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 Associates

    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.

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OUR PRODUCT LABEL

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.

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