What is Fair Trade?

Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade.

It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing their rights of, disadvantaged producers and workers - especially in the South.

Fair Trade organizations (backed by consumers) are actively engaged in supporting producers in awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practices of conventional international trade.

Pano Cru and Fair Trade

Many raw materials used by companies in their production process come from developing countries where the negotiation power of the small producers is disadvantageous. Additionally many of the final products that we buy are produced in those countries using exploited and child labor.

Like many other companies and consumers, Pano Cru is aware of this problem paying special attention on the selection process of business partners that must respect Fair Trade ethics.

Besides that, Pano Cru is registered with Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO ID nr. 20362). Thus, when buying Pano Cru's bags made with Fairtrade certified organic cotton and bearing the FAIRTRADE certification mark you have the guaranty that:

• the minimum guaranteed price (Fairtrade Minimum Price) is paid directly to the producer organizations;
• a Fairtrade Premium is paid to producers on top of the Fairtrade Minimum Price;
• environmental standards restrict the use of agrochemicals and encourage sustainability;
• no forced labour of any kind, including child labour, is used.

What is the difference between "Fair Trade" and "Fairtrade"?

Fair Trade - is a commercial ethic as described above in "What is Fair Trade?"

Fairtrade - is a certification system that guarantees a certain product was produced and traded respecting International Fairtrade Standards. These standards are defined by Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO). The certification process is held by FLO-CERT GMBH. The Fairtrade Certification Mark (image on the right) allows consumers to easily identify Fairtrade certified products.

Fair Trade products

Many people believes that Fair Trade relates only to traditional, ethnical and handmade products. It includes these and much more.

Every year grows the number of companies around the world, some very well known by their innovative design, that are using raw materials produced and traded according to Fair Trade ethics. In doing so these companies and their clients are building a stronger economical, social and environmental ethics.

Photo by George Williams

Photo by George Williams