Fair Trade Principles and Goals

The Key Principles of Fairtrade are

Creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers
Fairtrade is a strategy for poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Its purpose is to create opportunities for producers who have been economically disadvantaged or marginalized by the conventional trading system

Transparency and accountability
Fairtrade involves transparent management and commercial relations to deal fairly and respectfully with trading partners

Capacity building
Fairtrade is a means to develop producers' independence. Fairtrade relationships provide continuity, during which producers and their marketing organisations can improve their management skills and their access to new markets

Payment of a fair price
A fair price in the regional or local context is one that has been agreed through dialogue and participation. It covers not only the costs of production but enables production which is socially just and environmentally sound. It provides fair pay to the producers and takes into account the principle of equal pay for equal work by women and men. Fair Traders ensure prompt payment to their partners and, whenever possible, help producers with access to pre-harvest or pre-production financing

Gender equity
Fairtrade means that women's work is properly valued and rewarded. Women are always paid for their contribution to the production process and are empowered in their organisations

Working conditions
Fairtrade means a safe and healthy working environment for producers. The participation of children (if any) does not adversely affect their well-being, security, educational requirements and need for play and conforms to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as well as the law and norms in the local context

The environment
Fairtrade actively encourages better environmental practices and the application of responsible methods of production

Goals of Fairtrade are

To improve the livelihoods and well being of producers by improving market access, strengthening producer organisations, paying a better price and providing continuity in the trading relationship

To promote development opportunities for disadvantaged producers, especially women and indigenous people and to protect children from exploitation in the production process

To raise awareness among consumers of the negative effects on producers of international trade so that they exercise their purchasing power positively

To set an example of partnership in trade through dialogue, transparency and respect

To campaign for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade

To protect human rights by promoting social justice, sound environmental practices and economic security