Fairtrade International has updated its Human Rights Remediation Policy, marking an important milestone in strengthening how human rights violations are addressed across Fairtrade supply chains. The updated policy was approved during Fairtrade’s General Assembly week held earlier this year. 

The Human Rights Remediation policy (formally known as the Act to Protect Policy) outlines Fairtrade's approach to enabling effective remediation when human rights and environmental health and safety violations occur, while reinforcing the organisation's long-standing commitment to respecting internationally recognised human rights. It builds on Fairtrade's broader human rights commitment and complements existing standards, certification systems, producer support programmes, and human rights and environmental due diligence processes.

"Human rights are not optional but fundamental,” said Marike Runneboom de Peña, Global CEO of Fairtrade International. “Our updated policy demonstrates Fairtrade's commitment to providing clarity on how we respond to allegations and enable remediation while reinforcing our focus on prevention and mitigation. This is about promoting dignity and respect that everyone is entitled to.”

Developed in line with international frameworks, including the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidance, and International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, the policy also reflects the evolving regulatory landscape, including new European Union human rights due diligence requirements.

At its core, the policy outlines how Fairtrade responds to allegations of human rights and environmental health and safety violations within its scope of responsibility. It outlines transparent processes for receiving and handling complaints, defines roles and responsibilities across the Fairtrade system, and sets out guiding principles, including accountability, confidentiality, non-retaliation, transparency and a human rights-based approach that prioritises the rights, dignity, and safety of affected persons.

The policy focuses on the most salient human rights risks in agricultural supply chains, including child labour, forced labour, gender-based violence and sexual harassment, workplace rights, and environmental health and safety impacts affecting workers, farmers, and communities.

Recognising that effective remediation enablement requires collaboration, the policy also strengthens coordination between Fairtrade International, its three producer networks – Fairtrade Africa, Fairtrade Network of Asia and Pacific Producers (NAPP), and the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Fair Trade Small Producers and Workers (CLAC) – and 19 National Fairtrade Organisations located throughout the world. In the policy, Fairtrade acknowledges the value of continued support to producer organisations in building their own capacity to prevent, identify, and address human rights and environmental health and safety risks.

Importantly, the policy goes beyond responding to individual cases. “By integrating lessons learned from grievances into Fairtrade's wider human rights and environmental due diligence, the policy supports in identifying systemic risks, strengthening prevention measures, and building more resilient, equitable, and sustainable supply chains,” said Lilian Manna, Senior Advisor, Social Protection, Fairtrade International.   

The policy will periodically be updated to reflect practical learning, evolving risks, and regulatory developments. To learn more about Fairtrade's approach to enabling remediation and protecting human rights across its supply chains, read the full Human Rights Remediation Policy here.