Fashion with Responsibility

Fashion With Responsibility :

One of FWR's main goals is to encourage participation in fair trade and fairtrade certification.

The intent of this blog is to describe the basic process of becoming fairtrade certified.

Fair Trade is a value based approach to manufacturing and agriculture production. It says we should pay workers a fair price for their work and their goods. It is an agreement to prioritize certain ethical standards over profit. It ensures that a business is respecting the rights and interests of its manufacturing partners in the developing world. It goes further to suggest that businesses should invest in improving the social and environmental standards for those providing the goods.

The currently accepted definition of Fair Trade has been agreed upon by FINE, an informal association of four international fair trade networks. They are World Fair Trade Organization or IFAT, Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International or FLO, Network of European Trade shops or NEWS, and the European Fair Trade Association

Each organization has a certain label, or logo. You've probably seen the logos on one product or another.

Many different types of business are eligible to apply for certification by one of these organizations. Essentially you are registering as a member of the organization. In order to become a member you must meet certain requirements. There are slight differences in each organization but the overall agreement on the fair trade standards are as follows:

* Creation of opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers
* Transparency and accountability
* Capacity building
* Promotion of Fair Trade
* Payment of a fair price
* Gender Equity
* Working conditions
* Child Labour
* The environment
* Trade Relations

The fair trade standards also describe a way in which wages and price setting must occur. One such resource is Fair Trade Calculator

A more detailed definition of these standards can be found at IFAT's website

In order to become a member of IFAT, you must complete a very thorough application describing in detail what efforts you are making to follow the above mentioned standards. The application must include 3 references, one of which must be an IFAT member. The application is reviewed by a committee within the organization, with great weight put on the references, and if approved you become a provisional member. There is a sliding scale of annual membership fees, but a business bringing in under 100k a year pays 250 euros a year.

There is an additional review process where you must submit a detailed self-assessment. A member must submit a self-assessment every two years. The self-assessment must happen before you become a full member and are given permission to use the logo in your marketing. There are various external auditing processes that happen from time to time as well.

IFAT currently has 350 members in 77 countries.

Some better known clothing companies that have already been certified are:

Rene Geneva Design
Amana Collection
Wildlife Works
Ciel Clothing

Fashion with Responsibility is working to help designers achieve these goals through consultation, education, and research.

For more information or consultation on fair trade certification, email us at fashionwithresponsibility@gmail.com