Fair Trade

The Fair Trade label is the seal of approval of the Fair Trade Labelling Organisations International (FLO). Fair Trade is a trading partnership that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to and securing the rights of disadvantaged producers and workers ? especially in the South. FLO International is the umbrella organisation of 23 labelling initiatives in Europe as well as Canada, the United States, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. The organisation develops and reviews Fair Trade standards and provides support to Fair Trade Certified Producers by assisting them in gaining and maintaining Fair Trade certification and capitalising on market opportunities. Certification is carriedout by an independent international certification company, FLO-CERT GMBH. FLO-CERT GMBH is responsible for the inspection and certification of producer organisations and traders in line with the Fair Trade Standards. The independence of the inspections ensures that the Fair Trade Minimum Price reaches the producers and that the Fair Trade Certification Mark is only used on products coming from Fair Trade Certified Producers. The International Fair Trade Certification Mark is only awarded to products and does not make any statement about the companies or organisations selling them. The labelling initiatives that founded FLO had originally all different logos. Today most FLO labelling initiatives are using the International Fair Trade Certification Mark, often with a slogan in their own language or the name of their organisation. The labelling initiatives in Canada and the USA are still using their own logos. www.fairtrade.net


Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

FSC is an independent, non-government, nonprofit organisation established to promote the responsible management of the world?s forests. It is an international association of members consisting of a diverse group of representatives from environmental and social groups, the timber trade and the forestry profession and forest product certification organizations from around the world. FSC has offices in almost 50 countries. Products carrying the FSC label are independently certified to assure consumers that they come from forests that are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations. 10 principles and 56 criteria form the basis for all FSC forest management standards. The principles and criteria include among others:

? Prohibiting the conversion of forests or any other natural habitat
? Respecting international workers rights
? Prohibiting the use of hazardous chemicals
? Respecting human rights with particular attention to indigenous
people
? No corruption ? compliance with all applicable laws
? Identification and appropriate management of areas that need spe
cial protection (e.g.cultural or sacred sites, habitat of
endangered animalsand plants)
www.fsc.org