What is the Fairtrade mark?

The Fairtrade Foundation is a founding member of Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO) which operates the only labelling system where there are common international standards across a whole range of products.

The Fairtrade Mark is awarded by the Fairtrade Foundation to products which meet internationally recognised standards of fair trade.  As a result the Fairtrade consumer label stands for the same criteria, standards and single monitoring system across the world, although to date we have different FAIRTRADE Marks in different countries. The new international FAIRTRADE Mark will put an end to this.

The FAIRTRADE Mark is changing. The new international certification Mark, depicting a person waving on the world, is being introduced in the UK in Autumn 2002. Gradually it will replace the original 'F' Mark and both Marks will run concurrently until the end of 2003.

The Fairtrade Foundation is replacing its current FAIRTRADE Mark in order to:

• improve its visibility on supermarket shelves
• convey a dynamic, forward-looking image for Fairtrade
• join with the international Fairtrade Labelling movement in the introduction of a single certification Mark
• facilitate cross border trade
• simplify procedures for fresh fruit growers.