"The current success of Fair Trade shows that we are on the right path. Because each purchase of a Fair Trade product is an act of practical solidarity - and a real pleasure!"(Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, German Development Minister)
“Promoting Fair Trade reconciles the act of consumption with the protection of ethical values and human dignity.”(Jacques Chirac – Former President of the Republic of France)
Fair Trade is widely recognized for contributing to sustainable development, poverty reduction and consumer awareness raising. Local, regional and national governments support Fair Trade by funding awareness raising campaigns, speaking out for Fair Trade and by introducing Fair Trade criteria into public tenders. Hundreds of Fair Trade Towns, universities and schools have been founded and a great number of Fair Trade resolutions have been passed by local, national and European authorities.
In response to the growth of Fair Trade, ever more companies have been developing “sustainable” or “ethical” trading initiatives or product lines. This is a welcome development as long as these initiatives contribute to the improvement of the producers’ living and working conditions and if they follow clear and transparent criteria. However, due to the mushrooming of these initiatives, consumers find it ever more difficult to orient themselves in the crowded ethical market place. In some cases, even the term “fair trade” is being used without complying with the related criteria.
Against this background, some public authorities have taken the initiative to regulate the use of the term “Fair Trade”. Such legislation processes are currently under way in Belgium, Italy and France.