Fairtrade has established a robust grievance mechanism that:

• Provides a structured approach for handling complaints and allegations
• Ensures confidentiality and efficiency in complaint management
• Enables all Fairtrade Members to follow consistent principles.

The scope of the Global Complaints and Allegations Policy is as follows: 

1. If the complaint / allegation is related to the conduct of the employees, Board members, consultant or any third party associated with a specific Fairtrade Organisation, the complaint / allegation will be handled by the respective Fairtrade Organisation.
2. If the allegation /complaint refers to activities by a Fairtrade certified operator (Producer or Trader) and it is related to a breach of the Fairtrade Standards, the complaint / allegation will be handled by FLOCERT.
3. If the allegation / complaint refers to activities of a Fairtrade certified operator (Producer or Trader) and is within the scope of the Act to Protect Policy the allegation / complaint will be handled in accordance with the Act to Protect Policy.
4. If the complaint / allegation refers to multiple actors including employees, Board members, consultants, or contractors of Fairtrade Member and are related to the activities in the Fairtrade certified supply chains, it is considered as a Fairtrade System-wide complaint / allegation, therefore it will be managed / coordinated by Fairtrade International according to its internal complaints and allegations procedure. 

The Fairtrade Whistleblower Portal

We have implemented a confidential whistleblower tool that:

• Allows secure and anonymous reporting of concerns
• Ensures protection for individuals raising legitimate issues
• Facilitates transparent and fair investigation processes

The following reporting channels are available via the Fairtrade Whistleblower Portal:

• ‘Internal Reporting Channel’ – cases against Fairtrade International employees, consultants, committee and Board members related to a misconduct in the scope of the German Whistleblower Protection Act and the Fairtrade Organisation Code and, the Fairtrade International Company Agreement and related  Fairtrade International Policies.
• ‘Fairtrade Members and Customers’ – cases related to a misconduct in the Fairtrade Supply Chains, Fairtrade Members or Fairtrade Certified Customers. 

Cases submitted to the ‘Internal Reporting Channel’ are handled by and external law firm, KLIEMT. This is to ensure all whistleblowers are protected in line with the German Whistle-blowers act.