Fair Trade Certification Process

Fair Trade San Diego (FTSD) had the great pleasure of meeting with David Funkhauser, Strategic Outreach Coordinator with Fair Trade USA, to discuss the complex topic of fair trade certification. There is a dynamic and intriguing conversation happening in the fair trade movement around certification, and in our desire to remain informed, FTSD invited David to join us to answer questions and clarify the certification process. Fair Trade USA is a major player in certifying items such as coffee and other commodities and now even textiles. David was able to help us better understand the nuances of fair trade certification. Some other key players in certification are the Fair Trade Federation and an organization newer to fair trade certification, called the Institute for Marketecology (IMO), which certifies fair trade under its ‘Fair for Life’ program.
Recognizing a need to answer the public’s questions about the fair trade certification process, the Fair Trade Resource Network is offering several webinars to discuss certification. The first webinar is Tuesday, October 26th from 10:00am to 11:30am PST and is entitled “Fair Trade USA’s “Fair Trade Certified” Illustrated by Following the Supply Chain from Producers to Final Seller.”
Registration is $5 for each webinar. There will be four webinars in total. To learn about the other sessions and for additional information please visit www.fairtraderesource.org.