What is ‘fair trade’? Fair trade is a movement that works to bring equity into international trade. Unfortunately this isn’t the way business always works for the millions of disadvantaged producers living in poverty in developing countries.

The aspect of fair trade that is generally understood is the concept of paying a ‘fair price’ to producers for their goods. While this is one of the key principles of fair trade, the movement has a much broader aim.

The International Federation for Alternative Trade (IFAT) standards are:

• Creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers (supporting the poorest producers).
• Transparency and accountability (dealing fairly and openly with trading partners).
• Capacity building (developing the skills of producers and creating opportunities for trading their products).
• Promoting Fair Trade (telling as many people as possible about Fair Trade and informing customers where products have come from).
• Payment of a fair price (ensuring that producers receive a fair price for their products)
• Gender equity (providing equal pay and opportunities for women and men).
• Working conditions (ensuring that producers are working in a healthy and safe place).
• Child labour (ensuring that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is respected)
• Protecting the environment (ensuring that materials and processes used in production and packing do not damage the environment)

How do I know if I am buying fair trade products?

The Fair Trade Labelling Organisation (FLO) is responsible for certifying products as ‘fair trade’. This label currently applies to many consumable products, including coffee, tea, rice, chocolate, and cotton. It ensures that the products comply with all the requirements and standards set by the FLO – see the links below for more information.

However, there is no system in place for certifying handicraft products so that they can carry the fair trade label, although there is a process for co-operatives, businesses and organisations that produce, export, import and sell handicrafts to be certified as fair trade ‘traders’ under the IFAT certification system. There are also a number of international fair trade bodies that have membership criteria and standards similar to IFAT.

For more information about fair trade here are some useful links::

Fair Trade Labelling Organizations International – http://www.fairtrade.net/
International Fair Trade Association (IFAT) – http://www.ifat.org/
Network of European Worldshops – http://www.worldshops.org/
European Fair Trade Association - http://www.european-fair-trade-association.org/
Fair Trade Federation - http://www.fairtradefederation.org//
Cooperation for Fair Trade in Africa (COFTA) – http://www.cofta.org/
Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand (FTAANZ) – http://www.fta.org.au/

Sankofa’s Fair Trade Principles

Sankofa is committed to fair and ethical trade practices and all of our products have been purchased in accordance with the following principles:

• A fair price in local terms is paid – the producers determine the value of their work and prices are not negotiated.
• A deposit of at least 50% is paid at the time an order is placed, and the balance upon completion of the order;
• Producers work in a safe environment that supports their family circumstances.
• Respect for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child by ensuring that the participation of children in the production of fair trade goods (if any) does not adversely affect their well-being, security, educational requirements and need for play.
• We support co-operatives and organisations that provide on-going business development opportunities for producers.
• Working with some producers to provide advice on product design and providing feedback from customers.
• Sharing the story – telling customers about the products, who made them, how they were made, and where they come from.
• Promoting and respecting cultural diversity and preserving traditional skills.
  

How does Sankofa source products?

Our products are sourced directly from producers, where possible. We try to personally visit all producers. We know many of the artisans personally and are committed to forming long-term relationships with them.

Sankofa sources products in several ways:

• Some products come from members of fair trade organisations, eg. African Home is an IFAT member, Global Mamas is a member of the Fair Trade Federation.
• Some products are fair trade certified and carry the certification of the Fair Trade Labelling Organisation (FLO), eg. coffee, tea, and chocolate.
• Some producers have been recommended by members of fair trade organisations, eg. our kente weavers and lost wax brass producers were recommended by a member of the Fair Trade Federation in Ghana.
• Some producers rent workshops at cultural centres or artisans villages, eg, all of our products from Burkina Faso come from artisans working at the Village Artisinal de Ouagadougou.
• Some products are purchased from street sellers. Not everyone can be a producer, but everyone in Africa is trying to make a living in whatever way they can so we buy a small amount of products in this way.
  

Sankofa is a member of the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand (FTAANZ).

Click here for further information about the producers we purchase from.