Their mission is “to connect disadvantaged producers and consumers, promote fairer trading conditions and empower producers to combat poverty, strengthen their position and take more control over their lives”. In other words, the Fairtrade Certification is given independently and it means that there is cooperation between producers and consumers with one goal in mind: improving lives and reducing poverty via ethical trade practices and decent working conditions.

There is a very high variety of products that can comply with the Fairtrade Standards: bananas, cocoa, coffee, flowers, sugar, tea, cotton, fruit/juices, herbs/spices, honey, nuts, oil, quinoa, rice, vegetables, wine, gold, sports balls, textiles, carbon, and beauty products, among others.

If a product has the Fairtrade Certified sticker, it means that it was grown or produced with care and control by the workers, that there is traceability throughout the supply chain, and that all parties adhere to economic, social, and environmental standards.

The Fairtrade Mark means that producers and businesses have met internationally agreed standards. These seven main standards include a range of economic, environmental, and social norms that need to be met by producers and traders.

1. Small-scale Producer Organisations: This applies to small-scale farming organisations that supply Fairtrade products. These members are usually people who depend mainly on using their own and their family’s labour. In these organisations, everyone has a voice and vote in the decision-making process. This standard supports producers to build strong organisations, improve their performance, and create benefits for its members and communities.
2. Hired Labour: This applies to organisations that employ hired labour to provide Fairtrade certified products. Under this standard, the workers will be provided with equitable working conditions for all, with salaries equal to or higher than the regional average (or than the minimum wage), and a healthy and safe environment to avoid possible injuries. In addition, workers will have the right to join an independent union to be able to negotiate their working conditions collectively.
3. Contract Production: This applies to small-scale producers who are not yet democratically organized. Said standard only applies to cocoa in the Pacific; rice, and cotton in India; and cotton, dried fruit, almonds, apricot seeds and walnuts in Pakistan.
4. Trader Standard: This applies to companies and producers that are trading Fairtrade products to ensure that the Fairtrade label is credible. it is all about transparency between both parties while complying with labour and environmental laws.
5. Climate Standard: To support small-scale organisations and rural communities to produce Fairtrade Carbon Credit (to compensate for all the emissions in a product’s supply chain) and gain access to the carbon market. Here, everyone should have a voice and vote in the decision-making process and the opportunity to improve their climate change knowledge and management skills.
6. Textile Standard: It engages manufacturers and workers in the textile supply chains to bring better wages and working conditions, and to engage brands to commit to equitable terms of trade.
7. Gold and associated precious metals: It creates opportunities for artisanal and small-scale organisations in certain countries, and to traders who are in the precious metals business. Ideally, the aim is to improve their working conditions while bringing improvements and benefits to the job.

Additionally, there are certain product-specific standards that might apply, depending on what main standards a company applies to. This can range from cereals, nuts, and vegetables to cocoa, herbs, herbal teas and spices.