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British Association for Fair Trade Shops

Promoting fair trade retailing in Britain		 British Association for Fair Trade Shops
9 Thames Street, Charlbury, Oxford, OX7 3QL

Registered Address: 9 Thames Street
Charlbury, Oxford, OX7 3QL
Registered Company No. 3990457

Tel: +44(0)7866 759201
Email: info@bafts.org.uk
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Become a BAFTS Fair Trade Importer
 

Thank you for your interest in being recognised by the British Association for Fair Trade Shops. 

The British Association for Fair Trade Shops (BAFTS) is an association of retailers who, although independent, unite in a core purpose which is to bring about fundamental changes in the status of working producers through Fair Trade retailing and campaigning.

BAFTS seeks to strengthen a network of sales channels that are dedicated to its core purpose.  It seeks to improve the quality and the quantity of such channels, so that they are better able to contribute towards the building of greater justice and equity in the world.  The association and its members support campaigns that increase awareness and understanding of the needs of producer workers and of their rights.

Recognition by BAFTS means that we believe that you share our values and are a suitable source of Fair Trade products for our shops.  It does not mean that your organisation is certified as being “Fair Trade”.  BAFTS does not have the resources to provide a fully monitored Fair Trade certification service.  If you wish to be registered as a Fair Trade Organization by IFAT: The International Fair Trade Association or licensed by the Fair Trade Foundation you will need to make separate applications to those bodies[1].  If we recognise your organisation, we will licence you to use our logo for one year.  Recognition is subject to annual renewal.  Permission to use our logo may be revoked if we find that it is being misused to imply Fair Trade credentials that we are unable to endorse.

 British Fair Trade shops are special in that they exist to promote social justice for economically disadvantaged producers.   By “promoting social justice” BAFTS means that its members, and recognised importers, abide by principles that aim to achieve justice and dignity for everyone in society and work together to create an alternative model to conventional international trade, a model in which human rights and equality are at the top of our agenda.

The shops need to be viable commercial entities of service to customers, and well stocked with products that customers want to buy.   But the promotion of social justice is the foundation on which our members have built their businesses.   Products are sold because they contribute towards that essential social objective.

Our member shops will be able to purchase from you if you are listed in our directory of importers.   If you regard your importing as part of the campaign for a fairer world, you are warmly invited to apply for recognised importer status.   You need to answer some basic questions that seek to check your motivation for trade and how you demonstrate your commitment to social change.   We need to be sure that your objectives and way of working are clearly in line with the aspirations of our members. 

We will also ask you some questions about the size and structure of your business. 

Before starting your application please make sure you have thoroughly read through the BAFTS Recognised Importer Criteria 

Proceed to BAFTS Importer Criteria »



[1] IFAT: The International Fair Trade Association registers Fair Trade Organizations meetings its internationally agreed Fair Trade Standards and allows them to use its FTO Mark on business to business communications, catalogues, web-sites, publications etc.  See www.ifat.org for application details.
If you wish to buy commodity products from FLO certified producers and use the Fairtrade Mark on product packaging, you need to apply to the Fair Trade Foundation to become a licencee.  See www.fairtrade.org.uk for details.