World Fair Trade Organization

The World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) is the global community and verifier of enterprises that fully practice Fair Trade. It is an association of SMEs, farmers or retailers that fully practice the 10 Principles of Fair Trade. They also advocate for fundamental change in our current economic system.

^[1] Members are primarily fair trade enterprises, whose business model is verified by independent audit and peer review.^[2] Verification is at enterprise level, which covers all aspects of the business and supply chain. WFTO verification should not be confused with commodity certification systems, such as Fairtrade certification, where only a component of the product is covered.^[3] The WFTO product label can only be used by verified fair trade enterprises, which consist of producer cooperatives and associations, export marketing companies, importers, retailers, national and regional fair trade networks and Fair Trade Support Organizations. WFTO is democratically run on a one member one vote basis.^[4] WFTO was created in 1989 and was formerly the International Federation of Alternative Traders ("IFAT").

WFTO members use commercial activity to achieve a social mission and have been referred to as 'Fair Trade Social Enterprises'.^[5]

WFTO's stated mission is "to enable producers to improve their livelihoods and communities through Fair Trade".^[6] Their five goals are:

To be the leading network of the Fair Trade movement
To provide an environment for sharing and learning
To raise awareness of and promote the Fair Trade model, and advocate for change to conventional trade.
To create market access opportunities for members
To enhance WFTO's capability to deliver a broader range of services to its members^[1]

In 2017, the WFTO board appointed Erinch Sahan as Chief Executive.^[7]

^ ^a ^b "WFTO Annual Report 2017" (PDF). World Fair Trade Organization. WFTO. 2017. p. 6. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
^ Granville, Brigitte (2014). The processes and practices of fair trade : trust, ethics and governance. Routledge. ISBN 9781138808430. OCLC 897393820.
^ Australia, New Internationalist. "What is the difference between the FTO mark and the Fairtrade label? - New Internationalist Fair Trade Shop - Adelaide, Australia". New Internationalist Fair Trade Shop - Australia. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
^ Sarcauga, Michael (6 November 2018). "Home of Fair Trade Enterprises". World Fair Trade Organization. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
^ "The governance of fair trade social enterprises in Belgium". ResearchGate. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
^ Administrator (6 September 2014). "VISION AND MISSION". World Fair Trade Organization. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
^ "World Fair Trade Organization names new Chief Executive".

[:0-1] "WFTO Annual Report 2017" (PDF). World Fair Trade Organization. WFTO. 2017. p. 6. Retrieved 26 January 2019.

[2] Granville, Brigitte (2014). The processes and practices of fair trade : trust, ethics and governance. Routledge. ISBN 9781138808430. OCLC 897393820.

[3] Australia, New Internationalist. "What is the difference between the FTO mark and the Fairtrade label? - New Internationalist Fair Trade Shop - Adelaide, Australia". New Internationalist Fair Trade Shop - Australia. Retrieved 27 January 2019.

[4] Sarcauga, Michael (6 November 2018). "Home of Fair Trade Enterprises". World Fair Trade Organization. Retrieved 26 January 2019.

[5] "The governance of fair trade social enterprises in Belgium". ResearchGate. Retrieved 26 January 2019.

[6] Administrator (6 September 2014). "VISION AND MISSION". World Fair Trade Organization. Retrieved 26 January 2019.

[7] "World Fair Trade Organization names new Chief Executive".

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