Ways of working with Fairtrade

With so many ways to work with us, Fairtrade is good for business.

Why Fairtrade is good for business

It means your company, whether it’s large or small, can help improve the lives of the farmers and workers who produce the products you sell and create a sustainable supply chain. It also means your customers can see the real ethical commitment of your firm.

Independent GlobeScan research shows 9/10 consumers who recognise the FAIRTRADE Certification Mark regard it as a trusted label.

Increasingly consumers are demanding transparency in the sourcing of their food and their products. The best way to do this is through trusted independent, third party certification - and research shows that nearly nine out of 10 consumers trust Fairtrade.

Four out of five say that having an ethical label on a product showing it is sustainable increases the likelihood of them buying a product. And many consumers think the quality of Fairtrade marked goods is better than the equivalent non-labelled products. Can you afford not to carry Fairtrade certification?

Ways your business can work with us

There are five main ways that your business can get involved with Fairtrade;

  • I want to carry the FAIRTRADE Mark on my products

    If your business owns finished products which you sell on to wholesalers, retailers, distributors, food service companies or directly to the public, you can become a licensee and carry the FAIRTRADE Mark on your goods.

     

    Hundreds of companies are already licensees with the Fairtrade Foundation, proudly showing the FAIRTRADE Mark on their products.

     

    When you become a licensee, you will receive:

    - Help compiling and updating your Fairtrade supply chain to make sure your product and its ingredients meet our rigorous ethical guidelines.

    - Access to national promotional activities for you to participate in and benefit from.

    - Regular updates and email with the latest Fairtrade news, including information about Fairtrade retail sales and ways to get more involved with our work

    - Tools and advice on how to use the FAIRTRADE Mark effectively.

     

    There are four simple steps to becoming a licensee:

    Step 1. Call us on 0203 301 5001 or email us to find out more. See our 'Learn More' checklist to understand what you need to work with Fairtrade. 

    Step 2. FLOCERT (the independent Fairtrade certification and auditing organisation) will contact you to confirm your certification needs.

    Step 3. Complete the licensing application form and pay registration fee. 

    Step 4. Countersign licence agreement for your business and submit product details for approval.


    Learn more

    - Check there are Fairtrade standards for your products.

    - Research Fairtrade suppliers.

    - Understand the Fairtrade Trader Standard which explains our requirements for companies.

    - Check your product composition meets our guidelines.

    - Understand what fees are involved.

    - If you are not UK based, another National Fairtrade Organisation may be better placed to help you.


  • I want to sell Fairtrade ingredients to other businesses to use in their products

    If you are solely selling your Fairtrade products or ingredients in the UK, then you will need to become certified with FLOCERT (the independent Fairtrade certification and auditing organisation). This means that your customers will be able to use your products or ingredients in their Fairtrade certified products. 

  • I want my business to stock and sell Fairtrade products

    If you are a restaurant, caterer, cafe or retailer, we can help you provide Fairtrade products for your customers.


    If you run a restaurant, cafe or you are a retailer, use the guide below to help you find a supplier of packaged Fairtrade products.

          

    Why and where to buy Fairtrade for your business. See the National Fairtrade Purchasing Guide.


    Contact us if you operate at a regional or national level, and are seeking to bring more Fairtrade products into your business.


    Visit our product pages to find information about the different finished products that carry the FAIRTRADE Mark in the UK.

  • I want to serve Fairtrade products to my employees and colleagues within my own business

    If you offer Fairtrade coffee, tea and sugar within your workplace you can celebrate your commitment by becoming a Fairtrade Workplace of Worldchangers.

  • I want to sell finished Fairtrade products wholesale to other businesses

    Contact commercial@fairtrade.org.uk to discuss being listed in our National Purchasing Guide.

  • Stock Fairtrade

    Customers are now more interested than ever in where their food and drink comes from, how it is grown and who by.

  • Fees

    Understand what fees are payable to work with Fairtrade.

  • Fairtrade in your workplace

    Do you want to change the world? Now’s your chance. Your workplace could be making a difference to people’s lives by switching to Fairtrade.

  • Fairtrade Sourcing Programs

    New ways to source Fairtrade cotton, cocoa and sugar.

  • Product composition

    How much of your product needs to be Fairtrade to get certification?