Fair Trade Certification
Guarantees minimum prices and community premiums for producers in developing countries.
What it is
Fair Trade certification (Fairtrade International, Fair Trade USA, Fair for Life) guarantees a minimum price floor for producers to cover sustainable production costs, a community premium paid on top to fund schools and clinics, prohibition of child and forced labour, democratic cooperative governance, and basic environmental standards.
How it's verified
FLOCERT independently audits Fairtrade producers and traders against detailed standards. Audits cover financials, labour conditions, premium use, and traceability. Annual surveillance and triennial recertification audits apply.
What to look for
Fairtrade International logo (green-and-blue figure), Fair Trade USA logo, or Fair for Life mark.
Watch out for
'Mass balance' accounting means a product can carry the Fairtrade mark even if its physical contents are not 100% certified — common for cocoa and sugar. Look for 'Sourced from Fairtrade producers' fine print.
What it doesn't cover
Fair Trade is not the same as organic — though many products carry both. It does not guarantee a 'living wage' (that is a stricter Fair Wear / Fair Trade USA initiative), and does not cover finished-product manufacturing labour in most cases.
Top Fair Trade-certified products
The highest-scoring products in our database that carry Fair Trade certification.
Pebble Child
Pebble Child Hand-knit Octopus Rattle
The Pebble Child Hand-knit Octopus Rattle is a Fair Trade certified, 100% cotton soft toy that provides sustainable employment for women in rural Bangladesh.
The Fairphone 5 is a revolutionary sustainable smartphone featuring a modular design for easy repairs and a 5-year warranty, making it the top choice for longevity.
Friendly Soap
Friendly Soap Aloe Vera Shaving Bar
The Friendly Soap Aloe Vera Shaving Bar is a plastic-free, handmade alternative to shaving foam, produced in the UK using traditional cold-process methods.
Harry Specters Social Enterprise Luxury Vegan Dark Chocolate Ganache Truffles offer an ethical, award-winning gifting experience that supports autism employment in the UK.
Lucy Bee Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is a multi-award-winning fair trade oil perfect for high-heat cooking and natural skincare, supporting sustainable farming in the Philippines.
Rare Tea Company
Rare Tea Company Lost Malawi Souchong Loose Leaf (50g)
Rare Tea Company's Lost Malawi Souchong is a sophisticated, smoke-dried black tea sourced directly from the oldest tea estate in Malawi, offering unparalleled ethical transparency.
Divine Chocolate 70% Dark with Hazelnut is a Fairtrade leader where cocoa farmers own a significant stake in the company, ensuring maximum ethical impact.
Fair Zone
Natural Rubber Household Gloves
Fair Zone Natural Rubber Household Gloves are ethically sourced, FSC-certified, and vegan-friendly, providing a durable and compostable alternative to synthetic latex.
Fairphone
Fairphone 4 5G 128GB
The Fairphone 4 5G is a highly ethical, modular smartphone that excels in repairability and fair labour practices, making it the top choice for conscious UK tech buyers.
Frequently asked
What does the Fair Trade premium pay for?+
The premium is paid into a democratically governed cooperative fund. Producers vote on its use — historically about half goes to community infrastructure (schools, water systems), the rest to farm productivity investments.