Fair Trade Certified Mark

Canadian Fair Trade Certified Mark
US Fair Trade Certified Mark

The Fair Trade Certified Mark is a fair trade certification mark used in Canada and in the United States. It appears on products as an independent guarantee that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a better deal. The Fair Trade Certified Mark is the North American equivalent of the International Fairtrade Certification Mark used in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

For a product to carry either Certification Marks, it must come from FLO-CERT inspected and certified producer organizations. The crops must be grown and harvested in accordance with the International Fairtrade standards set by FLO International. The supply chain is also monitored by FLO-CERT to ensure the integrity of labelled products. Only Fair Trade USA or Fairtrade Canada (formerly "TransFair USA" and "TransFair Canada," respectively) licensees can use the Fair Trade Certified Mark on their products, however a gradual phase-out of this mark began in Canada in 2011.

The Canadian Fair Trade Certified Mark was introduced by TransFair Canada on the Canadian market in 1997.

The American Fair Trade Certified Mark was introduced by TransFair USA on the American market in 1998.

In 2010, Canada began actively promoting both the Fair Trade Certified Mark and the International Fairtrade Certification Mark as part of a transition process towards the latter, which became the primary Fairtrade Certification Mark in 2011.

In 2012 a variation of the US Fair Trade certification mark was adopted with the benefit of being registered globally as a trade mark. The mark is designed to pop better on the shelf through a far simpler design and the use of color. The one basket with outstretched hands indicates sharing and a "give and take" between producers and purchases. The green signals the environmental strength of Fair Trade.[1]

References

  1. ↑ "Certification Mark: Frequently Asked Questions" (PDF). Fair Trade USA. Retrieved 2013-01-27.
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