Producer Certification

Fair Trade Labelling Organisations International (FLO) certifies producer groups and manages Fair Trade producer registers. It is also the umbrella organization for a global network of 20 national Fair Trade certification initiatives, including TransFair USA.

Producers, click here for a step-by-step guide to certification.

Certification Process
The producer certification process begins with an application. If a producer group’s application is accepted, a regionally based FLO inspector will physically inspect its farms. That inspector then makes a recommendation to a committee of trade experts on whether the group meets Fair Trade criteria, and this committee makes the final certification decision.

Once approved, most producers are re-inspected annually. Any producer groups that violate the Fair Trade criteria are removed from the FLO register.

Summary of Certification Standards
1. Guaranteed floor price paid directly to the producer group, or income paid to the worker organization.
2. Fair labor conditions for farm workers.
3. Freedom of association for farmers and workers, and democratic decision-making processes.
4. Environmental standards that restrict use of agrochemicals and foster sustainability.
5. Removal of unnecessary middlemen that decrease producer income.
6. Access to pre-harvest lines of credit for cooperatives.

Fee for Certification
After 15 years of providing producer certification at no cost, FLO began charging producers for inspection early in 2004. This change is due to rapid growth in demand from both industry and producers, and has enabled FLO to expand the number of farms it inspects and adds to the Fair Trade register. A scholarship fund is available for producer groups unable to pay the fee. The producer representatives on the FLO board unanimously approved the fee model, and there is widespread support among producer partners.

Under the previous system, producers needed a buyer in order to be inspected. Certification fees make it possible for more producer groups to join the Fair Trade community and to sell to Fair Trade markets. Fair Trade Certification is a sound business investment that empowers producers around the world. Applicants that lack the initial capital to make this investment may apply for a scholarship. Please email your inquiry to: producercertification@transfairusa.org. The vast majority of applicants make the investment with their own funds, or receive financial assistance from a commercial partner.

Certification fee structure>