Fair Trade certification guarantees that producers — typically smallholder farmers and cooperatives in developing countries — receive a minimum price that covers sustainable production costs, plus a Fair Trade Premium that the community democratically invests in projects like schools, clinics, or infrastructure.
The standard also prohibits forced and child labor, requires safe working conditions, and restricts the most hazardous agrochemicals.
Several certifiers operate under the Fair Trade umbrella with different scopes: Fairtrade International (the FAIRTRADE Mark), Fair Trade USA, and Fair for Life. Common categories include coffee, cocoa, tea, sugar, cotton, and bananas.