Fair Trade Certified (Fair Trade USA) Certification Explained
USA · Established 1998
Cruelty-Free Certification Food, textiles, seafood
Audit Level: Third-Party Audit
An independent third party conducts an audit of the brand's facilities or documentation. More rigorous than self-declaration.
Supply-chain verified: Yes.
| Supply Chain | Verified |
| Cost for Brands | Fair Trade premium per unit sold. Licence fee for mark. |
| Recognized In | USANorth America |
Editorial Analysis
The US equivalent of Fairtrade International (the two organisations parted in 2011 over strategic differences). Covers coffee, tea, chocolate, bananas, flowers, seafood, and textiles. Does not certify vegan status. A product carrying Fair Trade Certified may be dairy, honey, or any other animal product — the certification addresses only social and economic equity in the supply chain.
Summary
Type
Cruelty-Free
Established
1998
Origin
USA
Scope
Food, textiles, seafood