The World of Handmade & Fair Trade

1. The World of Handmade & Fair Trade December 7, 2016

2. What is Fair Trade? A trading partnership based on: • dialogue, • transparency, and • respect that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to - and securing the rights of - marginalized producers and workers - especially in the [Global] South. -FINE Network (Fairtrade Labelling Organizations, International Fair Trade Association, Network of European Shops, European Fair Trade Association), 1998

3. Who are Fair Trade Federation Members? • Businesses that only practice fair trade and follow ALL of the fair trade principles • Screened against the FTF Code of Practice – a rigorous process • Work with small scale producer groups; in handmade, these are organizations that can’t be certified • Small to medium sized businesses – not multinational corporations or large scale manufacturing

4. Purchasing Practices in Fair Trade Design is a partnership

5. Purchasing Practices in the World of Handmade Pricing is a discussion

6. Purchasing Practices in the World of Handmade Quality control is a process

7. Evolution of fair trade in North America and Globally

8. Fair Trade in the US Market

9. Fair Trade in the US Market • Research shows that shoppers in the US are looking for ethical options – consumers want to “shop their values” • Opportunity: We can create real impact! • Challenge: Increasing number of labels, certifications, and claims on the market. How do fair traders differentiate ourselves in a real and meaningful way?

10. FTF Screening Process • The Code of Practice explains requirements under each fair trade principle. www.fairtradefederation.org/Practices. • Application focuses on purchasing practices and internal vetting systems. • Acceptance rate is 60-65%. • Yearly rescreening to ensure ongoing practice. • Handmade products cannot be fair trade certified. The FTF screening process is the most widely recognized verification system for handmade in Canada and the US, along with the WFTO Guarantee System globally.

11. WFTO Guarantee System - Global membership body – GS includes a self assessment, peer audit, and organizational audit.

12. Navigating Fair Trade in the Handmade Sector Worldwide Membership Organizations: World Fair Trade Organization (worldwide) and Fair Trade Federation (US/Canada) - (fully committed fair trade ) Regional Bodies: WFTO Africa, WFTO Latin America, etc National Networks (fully committed fair trade) Includes KEFAT, Fair Trade Forum India, Fair Trade Nepal, and many others

13. Differentiating Fair Trade Businesses 2. Membership Organizations (FTF or WFTO) provide verification of fair trade practices

14. Differentiating Fair Trade Businesses 3. If you have well-established clients, ask them what they are looking for in terms of workplace audits (SA 8000, internal audits, etc.)

15. Differentiating Fair Trade Businesses? • Regardless of which system you choose, establish ongoing systems for gathering and documenting information.

16. Beyond Verification: Building a Community and a Global Supply Chain

17. Beyond Verification: Building a Community “Our job as pioneers, as visionaries, as Don Quixotes, is to admit success as fair traders and create a new high bar, a new impossible dream. How do we work together to create something bigger?” -Jonathan Rosenthal

18. For more information: Renee Bowers, Executive Director rb@fairtradefederation.org 1-302-655-5203 www.fairtradefederation.org Code of Practice: www.fairtradefederation.org/practices