EXPLANATORY NOTE ON FAIR TRADE:
Fairtrade, Fair Trade Certified and fair trade/Fair Trade mean very different things despite looking very similar and/or sounding identical, which can lead to confusion. The inclusion of the term “fair trade” and its derivatives in this glossary is not meant to encourage their use, it is in response to current and widespread use of these terms by vendors, designers, jewelers, the press and others.
All versions of the label enable the user to make a claim (for example “this is a Fairtrade gold ring”). The type of claim that can be made and by whom, and how credible the claim is, varies depending on the rules of the label being used. Here are three basic scenarios that highlight points of confusion:
Scenario A: A claim exists that can be independently verified: A public standard or protocol exists to which suppliers can be audited and then certified against, and there is 3rd-party (independent) oversight and verification. Products born from this scenario are found in the marketplace labeled as Fairtrade and Fair Trade Certified.
As of October 2019, there are:
- Only Fairtrade gold and Fairtrade silver jewelry-related products
- No Fair Trade Certified jewelry-related products
- No 3rd party-certified or vetted fair trade / Fair Trade gemstones, diamonds or jewelry-related products
Scenario B: A claim exists that cannot be independently verified: A supplier creates their own standard or stated protocol for internal use without third-party oversight or verification of the processes or products, placing the burden on the purchaser to evaluate claims. Products born from this scenario are found in the marketplace labeled as ‘Fair Trade’ and/or ‘fair trade’.
Scenario C: A claim exists that cannot be independently verified: No protocol or standard against which claims are measured exists, and no 3rd party oversight or certification, placing the burden on the purchaser to evaluate claims. Products born from this scenario are found in the marketplace labeled as ‘Fair Trade’ and/or ‘fair trade’.
fair trade/Fair Trade
DEFINITION: Fair trade is a general term that can be used by anyone, and claims are not verified via third-party auditors referencing a standard. General fair trade principles can, but don’t necessarily, include helping producers in developing countries achieve better environmental, health, safety and socioeconomic conditions. Products described as “fair trade” or “Fair Trade” are not associated with Fairtrade International or Fair Trade USA.
Notes on usage:
The inclusion of the term “fair trade” and its derivatives in this glossary is not meant to encourage their use, it is in response to current and widespread use of these terms by vendors, designers, jewelers, the press and others.
Organization: none
Product Label: fair trade or Fair Trade
Certification body: none
Fairtrade
DEFINITION: A label applied to products that are third-party certified against standards created by FLOcert (Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International), the certification body of Fairtrade International. This standard attempts to improve trading conditions and environmental sustainability for producers in developing countries. As of 2019, gold and silver are the only Fairtrade jewelry-related products.
Organization: Fairtrade International
Product Label: Fairtrade/FAIRTRADE
Certification body: FLOCert (Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International)
Fair Trade Certified
DEFINITION: A label applied to products by U.S. non-profit organization Fair Trade USA. As of 2019, there are no Fair Trade Certified jewelry-related products.
Organization: Fair Trade USA
Product Label: Fair Trade Certified
Certification body: Fair Trade USA