Internation Federation for Alternative Trade

IFAT (International Federation for Alternative Trade)

The International Federation for Alternative Trade (IFAT) aims to improve the livelihoods of disadvantaged people in developing countries by linking and strengthening organisations that offer just alternatives to unfair trade structures and practices. IFAT members come together in solidarity and mutual cooperation to create an alternative and fairer way of doing business. IFAT is a federation to promote fair trade and a forum for the exchange of information to help members increase benefits to producers.

The 10 Standards of Fair Trade

IFAT prescribes 10 standards that Fair Trade organizations must follow in their day-to-day work and carries out continuous monitoring to ensure these standards are upheld:

  • Creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers
    Fair Trade 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
    Fair Trade involves transparent management and commercial relations to deal fairly and respectfully with trading partners.
  • Capacity building
    Fair Trade is a means to develop producers’ independence. Fair Trade relationships provide continuity, during which producers and their marketing organizations can improve their management skills and their access to new markets.
  • Promoting Fair Trade
    Fair Trade Organizations raise awareness of Fair Trade and the possibility of greater justice in world trade. They provide their customers with information about the organization, the products, and in what conditions they are made. They use honest advertising and marketing techniques and aim for the highest standards in product quality and packing.
  • 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
    Fair Trade 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 organizations.
  • Working conditions
    Fair Trade 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.
  • Child Labour
    Fair Trade Organizations respect the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as local laws and social norms in order to ensure that the participation of children in production processes of fairly traded articles (if any) does not adversely affect their well-being, security, educational requirements and need for play. Organizations working directly with informally organised producers disclose the involvement of children in production.
  • The environment
    Fair Trade actively encourages better environmental practices and the application of responsible methods of production.
  • Trade Relations
    Fair Trade Organizations trade with concern for the social, economic and environmental well-being of marginalized small producers and do not maximise profit at their expense. They maintain long-term relationships based on solidarity, trust and mutual respect that contribute to the promotion and growth of Fair Trade. Whenever possible producers are assisted with access to pre-harvest or pre-production advance payment.

On organizations: the IFAT FTO Mark

Over the years, IFAT has developed a monitoring system for Fair Trade organizations. Once an IFAT member has successfully met the requirements of the IFAT Standards and Monitoring system they become Registered Members, eligible to carry the Fair Trade Organization (FTO) Mark.

Launched in 2004 at the World Social Forum in Mumbai, India, The FTO Mark is an organization label that identifies and gives global recognition to Fair Trade Organizations, as opposed to a Fairtrade product. These organizations are mission driven organisations whose core activity is Fair Trade. This means that standards are being met regarding working conditions, wages, child labour and the environment. These standards are verified by self-assessment, mutual reviews and external verification.

The FTO Mark is a commitment

The FTO Mark is a quality mark. It means standards are being implemented regarding working conditions, wages, child labour and the environment. These standards are verified by self-assessment, mutual reviews and external verification. It demonstrates that an organization's trading activity committed to continual improvement.

The FTO Mark makes Fair Trade stand out from the crowd

The FTO Mark gives Fair Trade Organizations definable recognition amongst consumers, existing and new business partners, governments and donors who would like to support Fair Trade activities - providing wider market opportunities for producers

The FTO Mark adds to an organization's identiy

The FTO mark is a means of identification. It sets organizations apart from other commercial businesses, making recognisable mission driven organizations whose core activity is Fair Trade.

The FTO Mark shows that an organization is part of a wide network

The FTO Mark shows that an organization belongs to the global network of Fair Trade Organizations. It serves as a common voice for solidarity amongst all Fair Trade Organizations in the North and South.

The procedure

The FTO Mark is available to all IFAT members who meet the requirements of the IFAT Standards and Monitoring System. IFAT's Registration Sub-Committee oversees this procedure and makes its recommendations to the IFAT Executive Committee. Registered organisations are able to use the FTO Mark on headed paper, websites, posters and other promotional material.

The FTO Mark is not a product label. It has not been designed as a label for handcrafts. It is a mark to identify Fair Trade Organizations.

 

Visit www.ifat.org