May
13
Written by:
ECRA Bloggers
13/05/2009 15:37
The World Fair Trade Organization is developing the Sustainable Fair Trade Management System (SFTMS). The SFTMS is a globally recognized, light and efficient certification system, designed to transform any business into a sustainable fair trading business.
The SFTMS was originally designed for marginalised artisan cooperatives, groups and businesses to certify them as 'Fair Trade'. Currently these organisations are not catered for by the Fairtrade mark due to the complexity and variation of their products and processes. FLO's Fairtrade Certification system was designed for commodity products, which is technically difficult to adapt to other products. Also, in most countries in Asia, Latin American and Africa producers cannot sell Fair Trade labeled products in their local markets, because there are currently no national labeling initiatives licensed to issue the Fairtrade label.
The SFTMS changes all of that and it does so within the capabilities of a small producer and at relatively low cost. Unlike the Fairtrade label which is applied and paid for on a product-by-product basis, the SFTMS applies to an entire business and all of its products and services. Based on management thinking, the system is also designed to empower small producers by providing a tool for continuous improvement.
The SFTMS Standard is currently in its second draft, and stakeholder consultations are currently taking place. Read the SFTMS second draft and find out how to participate.
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