Consumer transparency has always been central to Fairtrade’s work. People who choose Fairtrade-certified products rely on clear and accurate information to make informed decisions.

In October 2025, Fairtrade International’s Exceptions Committee granted a collective exception in response to challenges linked to the implementation of the EU Organic Regulation (EUOR). The regulation introduced stricter requirements related to operating supplies and documentation. While its aim is to strengthen the integrity of organic production, these changes led to follow-up inspections, certification backlogs and, in some cases, temporary suspensions of organic status at farm level, affecting the availability of physically traceable Fairtrade organic cocoa.

To address these temporary supply constraints, the exception allowed Fairtrade cocoa using mass balance to be used where physically traceable Fairtrade organic cocoa was not available, without requiring changes to packaging already produced that referenced physically traceable organic cocoa.

Following further assessment, Fairtrade International has decided to revoke this collective exception with effect from 14 January 2026. This decision was taken due to significant challenges in consistently maintaining the level of consumer transparency, working to ensure accurate consumer information. Protecting consumer trust and transparency is a core principle of Fairtrade and guided this decision.

What this means for partners:

As a result of the revocation, packaging bearing the indication “physically traceable” must be discontinued in all cases where physical traceability of the cocoa cannot be ensured.

Where the exception has been applied, National Fairtrade Organisations will communicate to their partners on the need to revert to the applicable standard requirements without undue delay.

Companies that had applied the exception in good faith prior to the revocation are requested to accelerate the transition to compliant packaging and maintain only those processes or supplier contracts already in execution.

We recognise that this decision has implications for businesses and do not underestimate the effort required to adapt. However, maintaining consumer trust is essential to the long-term strength of the Fairtrade System and the credibility of the claims made to consumers.

At the same time, we reaffirm our position on the EU Organic Regulation. While we welcome its objective to strengthen the integrity of organic production through consistent global rules, compliance requires additional economic investment from producers. For many farmers, who already face challenges in earning a living income, these costs represent a significant burden.

The Fairtrade label is founded on credibility and transparency, upheld through an independent certification system. We remain firmly committed to enabling consumers to make informed purchasing decisions and to trust the accuracy and integrity of the claims made on Fairtrade-labelled products.