IFAT is the International Fair Trade Association, the global network of Fair Trade Organizations (FTOs). Over 300 FTOs in 70 countries form the basis of the IFAT network and membership is growing steadily. Approximately 65% of IFAT members are based in the South (that is: Asia, the Middle East, Africa and South America) with the rest coming from North America & the Pacific Rim and Europe. IFAT are truly international!

IFAT's mission is to improve the livelihoods and well being of disadvantaged producers by linking and promoting Fair Trade Organizations, and speaking out for greater justice in world trade.

IFAT has developed ten Standards for Fair Trade Organisations.  These cover: creating opportunities for disadvantaged producers, Transparency and accountability, Capacity building, Promoting Fair Trade, Payment of a fair price, Gender Equity, Working conditions, Child Labour, The environment and trade relations. Organisations that complete the assessment and peer review process successfully, and are open to external verification, are registered as Fair Trade Organisations  and may use  the Fair Trade Organisation Mark for business to business communications and on publications and catalogues.  The FTO Mark is not a product mark. 

  

IFAT is working with external experts to develop a Label for Handicrafts which they aim to have available by early 2009.

 

You can visit the IFAT website to search for IFAT members in the UK.  Members of BAFTS who are also members of IFAT are:  Traidcraft, People Tree, Shared Earth, Bishopston Trading, One World Shop Edinburgh.

For more information on IFAT and how to get involved with them, click here to visit their website.