The Fairtrade Certification Mark (CM)

The International Fairtrade Certification Mark (CM) guarantees a very rigorous process of certifying products as complying with international Fairtrade standards set by FLO. The Fairtrade Mark is only awarded to products and does not make any statement about companies or organizations selling them.

History

The Labelling Initiatives that founded FLO had originally all different logos. The decision to move to international standards and certification was accompanied by the creation of the International Fairtrade Certification Mark.

TransFair Canada
TransFair USA

Most FLO Labelling Initiatives (LIs) are now using the International Fairtrade Certification Mark, often with a strapline in their own language or the name of their organization. Our Labelling Initiatives in Canada and the USA are still using their own logos.

Using the CM

FLO’s aim is to ensure that the mark is always used correctly and never in a misleading manner, since an incorrect use would harm the integrity of the system and its stakeholders. Please help us with this important task by following some simple guidelines provided by your LI or FLO.

Do not change the CM

Think of the International Fairtrade Certification Mark as the equivalent of a person’s unique signature. The position, size, colour, proportions and spatial relationship of the seal may not be altered. The Fairtrade Certification Mark consists of the graphic element of the “cheering person”, representing Fairtrade consumers and producers, enclosed by a black vertical rectangle with the word element FAIRTRADE (at times with a local strapline).

Do not re-draw or re-create or cut out any parts of the certification mark, but obtain a high quality version from FLO or your LI. Confusing or misleading use of the mark is prohibited. Special care must be taken not to associate the Fairtrade mark with

  • any other brand, mark or identity
  • products that have not been FLO-Certified

How the Mark can be used

The International Fairtrade Certification Mark is a product-label intended mainly for use on packaging of consumer end-products, licensed by the Labelling Initiatives (LIs) in their countries or by FLO for countries with no LIs.

With appropriate permission, it can also be used on wholesale packaging as well as for promotional use (e.g. posters, leaflets, web pages, etc.).

ANY use of the mark (by licensees, producers, traders or third parties) on products or for promotional purposes requires prior written approval from FLO or a Labelling Initiative.

International Packaging

If you would like to develop only one packaging for several countries, please follow the guidelines in the manual below:

CM Manual for international sales

For products made out of Fairtrade Certified Cotton, please use the manual below:

Cotton Manual for international sales

Please note that packaging for the US requires the use of the Transfair Mark and permission by Transfair USA.

Where to apply

Licensees, or third parties from countries with Labelling Initiatives: contact the LI in your country.
Click  here for the contact details of all Labelling Initiatives

Producers, traders certified by FLO-Cert and third parties from countries with no labelling Initiatives: contact FLO at cm@fairtrade.net.
Please read the relevant guidelines and present FLO your artwork for approval:

           

                 - Producers – Promotional Use     Productores - Uso Promocional

                 - Traders – Promotional Use        Comerciantes - Uso Promocional

                 - Third Parties – Promotional Use

    Property

    The International Fairtrade Certification Mark is the exclusive property of FLO and internationally registered as a trade mark. FLO reserves the right to take legal action against any party that reproduces, copies or associates with the International Fairtrade Certification Mark in any form whatsoever without the prior authorization of FLO or a Labelling Initiative.

    All use must be in compliance with the current regulations. Please notify FLO of any abuse of the International Fairtrade Certification Mark as protecting its integrity is paramount.
    If you require further information please contact your Labelling Initiative or FLO International at cm@fairtrade.net.