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KartiMarket is passionate about fair trade. We have direct experience working in developing countries with fair trade suppliers and have seen the benefits to marginalised communities of fair trade first hand. It really does make a difference and is an important complement to the current system of international trade in general by helping to sustain rural communities and local craftsmen.
 The two largest fair trade certification organisations, the International Fair Trade Organisation (IFAT) and the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations (FLO), describe fair trade as "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 the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South."
While a minor difference may be the way they write "fair trade", the main difference between the two organisations is that FLO certifies the products themselves as fair trade, while IFAT certifies organisations that sell fair trade products. The majority of FLO certified products are food products – you've possibly seen the blue and green FLO Fairtrade mark on such items as coffee and bananas at the supermarket, though they also certify cotton products. IFAT's mark is the FTO (Fair Trade Organization) mark (see box below), awarded to an organisation that fulfils its criteria in regards to being "fair trade". These organisations sell both food and artisanal products.
 The IFAT FTO Mark is an organisation label that identifies and gives global recognition to organizations that hold fair trade principles at the core of their philosophy. It ensures that IFAT's standards are being met regarding (among others) working conditions, wages, child labour and the environment.
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Since most of KartiMarket's homewares products are supplied by IFAT member organisations it's worth having a look in more detail at the Standards of Fair Trade as defined by IFAT.
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IFAT prescribes 10 standards that Fair Trade organizations must follow in their day–to–day work and carries out continuous monitoring to ensure these standards are upheld:
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.
Capacity building
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.
Promoting Fair Trade
Fair Trade Organizations raise awareness of Fair Trade and the possibility of greater justice in world trade. They provide their customers with information about the organization, the products, and in what conditions they are made. They use honest advertising and marketing techniques and aim for the highest standards in product quality and packing.
Payment of a fair price
A fair price in the regional or local context is one that has been agreed through dialogue and participation. It covers not only the costs of production but enables production which is socially just and environmentally sound. It provides fair pay to the producers and takes into account the principle of equal pay for equal work by women and men. Fair Traders ensure prompt payment to their partners and, whenever possible, help producers with access to pre–harvest or pre–production financing.
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.
Working conditions
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.
Child Labour
Fair Trade Organizations respect the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as local laws and social norms in order to ensure that the participation of children in production processes of fairly traded articles (if any) does not adversely affect their well–being, security, educational requirements and need for play. Organizations working directly with informally organised producers disclose the involvement of children in production.
The environment
Fair Trade actively encourages better environmental practices and the application of responsible methods of production.
Trade Relations
Fair Trade Organizations trade with concern for the social, economic and environmental well–being of marginalized small producers and do not maximise profit at their expense. They maintain long–term relationships based on solidarity, trust and mutual respect that contribute to the promotion and growth of Fair Trade. An interest free pre payment of at least 50% is made if requested.
Source: IFAT – The 10 Standards of Fair Trade
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Or course there are other fair trade organisations and networks – and many producers who produce under fair trade conditions but are not members of IFAT or have products certified by FLO, however, particularly for producers, gaining membership of IFAT or having a product certified with the Faitrade Mark can be beyond the budget of smaller organisations (FLO and IFAT charge fees to conduct their certification processes).
KartiMarket is not a registered Fair Trade Organisation but a buyer and retailer of fair trade products. We are a channel for these products produced all over the world under fair trade conditions to reach retail customers in the developed world. That's not to say we treat our relationship with our suppliers as a simple business relationship, we operate our business in accordance with the standards of fair trade mentioned above. And it does make business sense – if we invest in the development of our suppliers we do so in order to ultimately improve the quality of their products and thus improve the quality of the products we sell.
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