What is Fairtrade
Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives.
The FAIRTRADE Mark is an independent consumer label which appears on UK products as a guarantee that they have been certified against internationally agreed Fairtrade standards. It shares internationally recognised Fairtrade standards with initiatives in 24 other countries, working together globally with producer networks as Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO). The Mark indicates that the product has been certified to give a better deal to the producers involved – it does not act as an endorsement of an entire company’s business practices.
Fairtrade and fairly traded clothing and products
You should know the difference between Fairtrade and fair trade.
Fairtrade is often confused with fair trade (two words) and ethical sourcing. The concept of ‘fair trade’ has been around for over 40 years, and refers to the worldwide fair trade movement. The term encompasses fair trade products and practices that are not covered by a formal certification scheme. Ethical trading tends to be more focussed on the manufacturing of products.
When you see the Fairtrade Cotton Mark you know that the product has been manufactured using Fairtrade cotton from a certified producer from a fully transparent supply chain as well as using Fairtrade cotton.
Ethical trading companies such as Koolskools have gone that extra mile in working very closely with their supply chains to guarantee that their products are sourced ethically.
What is Koolskools Fair Trade Offset?
There are certain product categories such as school skirts, ties and knitted jumpers where we don’t have a Koolskools manufactured option using recycled man-made materials. For these garments, or when we cannot meet increasing demand for our core range, we will source conventional garments under the Koolskools Fair Trade Offset scheme, where a small percentage of the profits will be donated to Fairtrade or ECO causes.
The unique Koolskools Fair Trade Offset policy enables us to maintain and grow our Fairtrade, planet-friendly core clothing range safe in the knowledge that EVERY garment we sell, whether from our core range or under Fair Trade Offset, has a beneficial social or ECO impact in the world.