Fair Trade Certification (Fairtrade International)

What is this programme?

Fairtrade is a producer/worker certification programme covering numerous agricultural/craft products including coffee, cocoa, bananas, cotton, flowers and sugar. FLOCERT has been ISO/IEC 17065-accredited (via German DAkkS) since 2007 as the sole certifier — but it is a subsidiary established by, and wholly owned by, Fairtrade International; this differs from the GOTS/GLOBALG.A.P.-style model of multiple CBs fully independent of the scheme owner.

Who is it for?

Producer cooperatives, worker organisations and supply chain businesses seeking Fairtrade certification.

Who issues the certificate?

The certificate is issued by FLOCERT. FLOCERT holds genuine external accreditation (ISO/IEC 17065, via DAkkS, Germany) — in that respect it differs entirely from WRAP, which has no external accreditation at all. In FLOCERT's own words, it is an 'independently governed subsidiary of Fairtrade International, FLOCERT's sole shareholder' — so the real point of divergence is not a lack of accreditation but sole/dependent-certifier ownership: unlike the GOTS/GLOBALG.A.P. model of multiple CBs fully independent of and competing under the scheme owner, only Fairtrade International's own subsidiary certifies against the Fairtrade standard.

What to verify before you accept it

Confirm the certificate was issued by FLOCERT against the current Fairtrade standard. Do not look for an alternative/competing certifier — FLOCERT is the sole certifier.

What triggers an assessment?

• A buyer or brand names Fairtrade certification specifically.
• A producer cooperative wants to use the FAIRTRADE Mark.

What does it not replace?

• It is not the same as GOTS's or GLOBALG.A.P.'s multiple-independent-CB model; FLOCERT is Fairtrade International's own subsidiary, the sole certifier.
• It is not the same scheme as Rainforest Alliance; a buyer's requirement specifies which one is accepted.