Anarchy In the AK

Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO), established in 1997, is a non-profit, multi-stakeholder association involving 26 member organizations: 19 Labelling Initiatives covering 23 countries, 3 Producer Networks and 2 Associate members. The Labelling Initiatives (LIs) promote and market the FAIRTRADE Certification Mark in their countries. FLO members currently operate in 18 European countries as well as Australia and New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Mexico (associate member) and the United States.

FLO is the leading Fairtrade Standard setting and certification body. It regularly inspects and certifies producer organizations in more than 70 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America through independent certification company FLO-Cert. The system permits more than 800,000 producers, workers and their dependants in 70 countries to benefit from labelled Fairtrade.

FLO guarantees that products sold anywhere in the world with a FAIRTRADE Certification Mark conform to Fairtrade Standards and contribute to the development of disadvantaged producers and workers.

What is 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 their rights of, disadvantaged producers and workers – especially in the South. Fair Trade organizations (backed by consumers) are actively engaged in supporting producers in awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practices of conventional international trade.

 

When FLO International was founded in 1997 by national Fair Trade organizations, the term "Fairtrade" was used to designate the system covering the Standard setting and certification at FLO and the marketing activities in the LI countries.

The Certification Mark CM

The International FAIRTRADE Certification Mark (CM) guarantees a very rigorous process of certifying products as complying with international Fairtrade standards set by FLO. The FAIRTRADE Mark is only awarded to products and does not make any statement about companies or organizations selling them. It is also an internationally registered trademark owned by FLO and its use must have prior written approval by a FLO Offcier.