How Fairtrade Addresses EmpCo Requirements

• 1. Open and honest accessibility

  1. Open and honest accessibility

  The Requirement:

  EmpCo states that a certification scheme must be open to traders under transparent, fair, and non-discriminatory conditions.

  How Fairtrade addresses it:

  At Fairtrade, transparency comes first. Fairtrade certification is available for every link in the chain, such as:

  • cooperatives
  • plantations
  • traders
  • companies that sell Fairtrade products

  Moreover, the Fairtrade standards are publicly accessible and are further developed in accordance with the ISEAL Code of Good Practices. This means you can be sure there will be clear and transparent processes.

  To find out what is included in the Fairtrade standards and how they are reviewed – you can find here:  Fairtrade standards

• 2. Developed with experts and stakeholders

  2. Developed with experts and stakeholders

  The Requirement:

  EmpCo states that requirements must be developed in consultation with experts and relevant stakeholders.

  How Fairtrade addresses it:

  Fairtrade has a unique way of collaborating and making decisions - producers have a real say.

  During the annual General Assembly, the members of the Fairtrade system come together to make important decisions. The voting distribution is 50/50: 

  • 50% producer networks (representatives of farmers' cooperatives)
  • 50% national Fairtrade organizations

  In this way, producers have just as much influence on the direction and standards as the organizations that represent Fairtrade in the market. 

  Fairtrade standards are also periodically reviewed in consultation with producer organizations, civil society organizations, experts, certification bodies, and market parties. In this way, the standards remain: 

  • substantively substantiated
  • practically applicable
  • relevant to current sustainability challenges
• 3. Clear procedures for non-compliance

  3. Clear procedures for non-compliance

  The Requirement:

  EmpCo requires that a scheme have procedures for addressing non-compliance, including the ability to suspend or revoke the use of the mark.

  How Fairtrade addresses it:

  Standards are worthless if they are not verified. That is why Fairtrade has strict controls. This is carried out through regular audits by the independent organization FLOCERT. The auditors inspect fields, factories, and offices, review documents and finances, and hold confidential interviews with employees. FLOCERT is a reliable organization with ISO17065 accreditation that complies with international audit regulations under the ISEAL Assurance Code.

• 4. Independent verification by a third party

  4. Independent verification by a third party

  The Requirement:

  EmpCo states that monitoring of compliance must be carried out through an objective procedure by a competent and independent third party.

  How Fairtrade addresses it:

  A certification mark is only credible if it is verified. That is why the verification at Fairtrade is organized independently.

  Fairtrade operates with a strong quality assurance and oversight system. This ensures that certification and licensing bodies can work independently and effectively, and that the integrity of the FAIRTRADE label remains protected. This system aligns with the ISEAL Assurance Code, an internationally recognized standard for reliable certification.

  There is also a robust complaints mechanism, based on the Fairtrade Global Complaints and Allegations Policy.