We are the global community of social enterprises that fully practice Fair Trade. Our Guarantee System verifies that our members are truly Fair Trade Enterprises. This means they pioneer models of business that put people and planet first.

About Us

The Global Community of Fair Trade Enterprises

The WFTO is the global community and verifier of social enterprises that fully practice Fair Trade. Spread across 76 countries, WFTO members all exist to serve marginalised communities. To be a WFTO member, an enterprise or organisation must demonstrate they put people and planet first in everything they do. We are democratically run by our members, who are part of a broader community of over 1,000 social enterprises and 1,500 shops. We are their global community. 

WFTO = social enterprise + Fair Trade

The WFTO focuses on both social enterprise and Fair Trade. Its Guarantee System is the only international verification model focused on social enterprises that put the interests of workers, farmers and artisans first. Through peer-reviews and independent audits, WFTO verifies members are mission-led enterprises fully practicing the 10 Principles of Fair Trade across their business and supply chains. Once verified, all members have free use of the WFTO Guaranteed Fair Trade product label.

Impact

Fair Trade Enterprises across the world are producing and trading, campaigning and educating for a better world. The WFTO is their global community. Their direct impact includes 965,700 livelihoods supported through the operations and supply chains of these enterprises. 74% of these workers, farmers and artisans are women and women made up the majority of the leadership. They pioneer upcycling and social enterprise, refugee livelihoods and women's leadership. These enterprises show a better world is possible and we support them through a range of initiatives and projects. 

These figures are based on a May 2018 snapshot of 326 Fair Trade Enterprises and a separate analysis of the role of women in Fair Trade Enterprises conducted in January 2018.

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Green Glass Fair Trade Enterprise - Upcycling - Fair Trade Innovation
Green Glass Fair Trade Enterprise - Upcycling - Fair Trade Innovation

OUR GRASSROOTS
HISTORY

Fair Trade today

Fair Trade inspires millions and proves a better world is possible. We are a global community of businesses that exist to put people and planet first. We are campaigners and activists fighting for change. Our movement is farming and weaving, marching and lobbying, teaching and trading to take our vision forward. The WFTO was born in 1989, but the pioneers who founded us go as far back as the 1940s. Today, their vision and values transcends the WFTO community and the broader Fair Trade and social enterprise movements.

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DEFINITION OF
FAIR TRADE

"Fair Trade is 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 South.

Fair Trade Organisations have a clear commitment to Fair Trade as the principal core of their mission. They, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade."

Globally recognised definition, as agreed by the main international Fair Trade networks (WFTO, Fairtrade International and European Fair Trade Association)

Fair Trade Organisations (also known as Fair Trade Enterprises) can be recognised by the WFTO Mark.

Fair Trade is more than just trading:

  • It is a vision of business and trade that put people and planet before profit

  • It fights poverty, climate change, gender inequality and injustice

  • Is a proof of concept that showcases the enterprise models of the new economy

INTERNATIONAL FAIR
TRADE CHARTER

Established by organisations from across the movement, the Fair Trade Charter defines a unified vision of building a better future for people and planet. The Charter serves as the single international reference point for Fair Trade. 

The new International Fair Trade Charter enshrines the common vision and fundamental values of the Fair Trade Movement to put us on the path to realising the Sustainable Development Goals. Rising inequality, entrenched poverty and a deepening ecological crisis have led the global community to seek new models of business and trade that drive fair and sustainable economies.

You can download the charter in Spanish, German, English, French, Dutch, Polish and Portugese.

Support Fair Trade. Recognise the Charter. Visit www.Fair-Trade.website

10 Fair Trade Principles

The 10 Principles of Fair Trade specify the ways that Fair Trade Enterprises are set up and behave to ensure they put people and planet first. The WFTO carries out verification and monitoring to ensure these principles are upheld.

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FAIR TRADE
STANDARD

The WFTO Fair Trade Standard specifies criteria for assessing if an enterprise truly implements the 10 Principles of Fair Trade. Demonstrating compliance earns Fair Trade Enterprises the designation "Guaranteed Fair Trade". This Standard is the heart of the WFTO Guarantee System, focusing on the management and operation of Fair Trade Enterprises.

The WFTO Standard comprises a set of compliance criteria based on the 10 Fair Trade Principles and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions. Many of these criteria are mandatory requirements to join WFTO. There are also other non-mandatory requirements, where WFTO members must show continuous improvement over time.

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