Notes

Creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers
Fair Trade is a strategy for poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Its purpose is to create opportunities for producers who have been economically disadvantaged or marginalized by the conventional trading system.
Transparency and accountability
Fair Trade involves transparent management and commercial relations to deal fairly and respectfully with trading partners.
Promoting independence
Fair Trade is a means to develop producers' independence. Fair Trade relationships provide continuity, during which producers and their marketing organizations can improve their management skills and their access to new markets.
Payment of a fair price
A fair price is one that has been agreed through dialogue and participation, which provides fair pay to the producers and can also be sustained by the market. Fair pay means provision of socially acceptable remuneration (in the local context) considered by producers themselves to be fair, and which takes into account the principle of equal pay for equal work by women and men. Fair Trade buyers, importers and intermediaries ensure prompt payment to their producers and other partners and, whenever possible, help producers with access to pre-harvest or pre-production financing (advance payments).
Gender Equity
Fair Trade means that women's work is properly valued and rewarded. Women are always paid for their contribution to the production process and are empowered in their organizations.
Decent conditions of work
Fair Trade means a safe and healthy working environment for producers. The participation of children (if any) does not adversely affect their well-being, security, educational requirements and need for play and conforms to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as well as the law and norms in the local context.
Respect for the environment
As a strategy for sustainable development, Fair Trade requires a strategy that enables economic activity without environmental degradation; that maximizes the use of raw materials and packaging from sustainable sources, minimizes the pollution caused by transportation, minimizes waste and energy consumption and promotes the use of technology that respects the environment.
Promoting Fairer Trade
Fair Trade is more than just trading: it proves that greater justice in world trade is possible. It highlights the need for change in the rules and practice of conventional trade and shows how a successful business can also put people first.