Provider of international trade consulting services specializing in antidumping, countervailing duty and international pricing.
www.captrade.com
Association of fair trade wholesalers, retailers, and producers whose members are committed to providing fair wages and good employment opportunities to economically disadvantaged artisans and farmers worldwide.
www.fairtradefederation.com
Developed by the United Steelworkers of America to provide information on trade and the global economy for a workers perspective.
www.fairtradewatch.org
Links to a papers about fairness in international trade and links to other sites.
internationalecon.com
From the 'Lectric Law Library's stacks, overview of U.S. Antidumping/Countervailing Duty Legislation.
www.lectlaw.com
Monitors the markets for goods and services in order to analyse trends and identify potential problem areas, researches trading practices that cause or may cause problems for consumers and encourages traders across all business sectors to provid...
www.oft.gov.uk
Non-profit monitoring organization which certifies that participating traders are following fair trade guidelines. Products include coffee, tea, and bananas.
www.transfairusa.org
Guide to International Fair Trade Regulations
Comply with fair trade laws to do business ethically, globally
By Lesley Graybeal
If you're interested in finding out more about international trading regulations, whether as a business owner or as a matter of personal interest, Fairtrade movement literature is published and easily accessible online. You can also apply for accreditation or fair trade certification online.
When researching fair trade laws, do all of the following:
1. Check the international governing bodies for statements of principles and regulations.
2. Investigate the process for governing fair trade of products.
3. Learn how you can become an accredited fair trade business.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Get industry-specific international fair trade regulations
The two largest governing and accrediting bodies for international fair trade regulations are the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements and the International Fair Trade Association. Because IFOAM and IFAT are member organizations for one another, some principles may overlap.
I recommend: IFOAM publishes the Principles of Organic Agriculture, guidelines and rules for fair trade in agricultural products. IFAT, a broader organization, publishes general regulations of fair trade and updates them regularly. You can also tap into resources that spell out what fair trade is at Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade or Fair Trade Certified.
Use labeling organizations to acquire certification for products that adhere to fair trade laws
While IFOAM and IFAT govern fair trade within certain industries, labeling organizations such as the Fair Labelling Organizations International provide a certification process for individual products. Through FLO International and other organizations, you can have your individual products accredited for meeting international trading regulations.
I recommend: FLO International offers a FLO mark certification through an independent organization for your products that meet international trading regulations and fair trade standards. TransFair USA is responsible for certifying U.S. free trade products.
Get your business certified for following regulations of fair trade
If you're interested in following fair trade rules and regulations, you may find it advantageous to enroll in one of IFOAM or IFAT's certification programs. Applications can be completed online for either IFOAM or IFAT accreditation if you abide by international fair trade regulations.
I recommend: Just like FLO International offers the FLO Mark, IFAT offers the IFAT FTO Mark as certification that your business abides by all IFAT standards. For organic agriculture, you can apply for the IFOAM Organic Guarantee, which certifies that you follow fair trade laws and IFOAM standards in the agriculture industry.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- • Organic and fair trade regulations can be stringent and even costly to follow, and many principles of fair trade are voluntary and easy to ignore. Being recognized as a fair trade business can have huge advantages, however, especially among certain populations, so if you want to get involved in fair trade but aren't sure if your business can afford it, get help from a fair trade consultant or accrediting body directly.
