FLO's Structure

Crucial to FLO’s transparency and credibility is the participation of traders, producers and other stakeholders in FLO’s governance.

Members

FLO Governance Structure

Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International is a membership-based, not-for-profit association. Its membership is open to Labelling Initiatives and Producer Networks. FLO's Board of Directors represents different stakeholders and regions involved in Fairtrade Labelling.

Producer Networks are organisations which Fairtrade Certified Producer Organisations may join if they so wish and which are recognised by the Association as representative of farmers, workers and others belonging to Fairtrade Certified Producer Organisations. All Fairtrade Certified Producer Organisations should have the right to participate in the Association’s decision-making processes through a recognised network.

Producer Network Assemblies as well as the Labelling Initiatives Assembly allow the respective organisations to discuss issues which are mainly relevant to them.

In the annual General Assembly all members get together to decide on membership issues, such as approval of the annual accounts, possible admission or expulsion of members, and ratification of new board directors.

Board

The Board of Directors is elected by the General Assembly and is composed of:

  • 5 representatives from the Labelling Initiatives (LI)
  • 4 representatives from Fairtrade Certified Producer Organizations (at least one from Latin America, Africa and Asia)
  • 2 representatives from Fairtrade Certified Traders
  • 2 external Board Members

The Chair of the Board leads the activities of the Board.

The Board’s mission is to guide FLO to becoming the worldwide reference for consumer and producer choice in Fairtrade Certification. It is primarily responsible for the strategic direction, sound financial management, risk management and employment of the Chief Executive of the association.

The board also appoints the members of its committees:

  • The Standards Committee
  • The Finance Committee
  • The Nominations Committee

Standards Committee

The FLO Standards Committee supervises and guides the standards. Membership comprises all stakeholders of FLO (national Labelling Initiatives, producers and traders) and external experts while making sure all necessary expertise is around the table to take informed decisions.

The standard development process additionally includes a broad consultation phase following the requirements of the ISEAL Code of Good Practice in standard setting.

Finance Committee

The FLO Finance Committee is responsible for the supervision of the Association’s finances. It also develops financial policies to ensure adequate funding of the Association.

Nominations Committee

The Nominations Committee is responsible for scrutinising appointments to the Board and its Committees, and reviewing and developing the performance of the Directors and of other members of Board Committees. This Committee also defines the roles and responsibilities, and the skills, experience and personal qualities required to fulfil them, of Directors and of other members of the Board Committees.