About Fair Trade

In light of inequity in the prevailing practice of international trade, the notion of Fair Trade was conceived to offer better trading conditions to and securing the rights of marginalized producers and workers, with a long term goal of attaining sustainable development.
Fair Trade is a trading partnership based on dialogue, transparency and mutual respect, with suppliers and distributers complying with a set of recognized standards and rules in their operations.

World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) is the global community and verifier of enterprises that fully practise Fair Trade. It is an association of visionary Small and Medium-sized fair trade enterprises (SMEs) that believes that a new economy is possible: together, WFTO stand as a collective of entrepreneurial activists and changemakers who are at the forefront of advocating for an equitable and sustainable world.   Through the collective actions between producers, workers, importers, retailers, advocators and consumers, WFTO demonstrates a sustainable and inclusive supply chain that social and environmental justice is practiced within the global trade system.  
WFTO was formerly known as the International Federation for Alternative Trade (IFAT), which was established in 1989, on of the oldest fair trade movement. Fair Trade Enterprises are changing the way business is done on a global scale. Active throughout 84 countries, with more than 1 million livelihoods impacted from North to South, they are demonstrating a viable alternative to the current exploitative businesses by prioritising social and environmental sustainability, alongside with economic success.

10 Standards of Fair Trade are prescribed by WFTO to be closely observed by its members, who must have 100% Fair Trade commitment in their mission and activities.  The WFTO Guarantee System guarantees that FAIR CIRCLE is in compliance with the global Fair Trade Principles and the WFTO FT Standard.
To learn how FAIR CIRCLE and our partners practise the 10 Fair Trade principles, you may download our 10 Fair Trade principle boards.

10 Fair Trade principles

1. Creating Opportunities for Economically Disadvantaged Producers

2. Transparency and Accountability  

3. Sustainable Trading Practices   

4. Payment of a Fair Price    

5. Preventing Child Labour and Forced Labour                 

6. Non Discrimination, Gender Equity and Freedom of Association                             

7. Provides Safe and Healthy Working Conditions

8. Building up Capacities of Producers

9. Promotion of Fair Trade

10.Sustainable Environmental Practice

To understand more about Fair Trade and our work, please visit Hong Kong Fair Trade Power