Fair Trade USA and Control Union Certifications are pleased to announce that Control Union is now approved to verify and certify that companies comply with Fair Trade USA’s Agricultural Production Standard, broadening global suppliers’ access to certification services. Growers, producers, and retailers can now engage Control Union’s network of offices in more than 70 countries to verify and certify their compliance with Fair Trade certifications.
Fair Trade USA, the leading certifier of Fair Trade products in North America, began its journey in the coffee sector in 1998. Now in its twentieth year, Fair Trade USA has rigorous standards and programs for over thirty product categories from 46 countries around the world. Over 67% of the U.S. population now recognises the increasingly popular seal, as people seek to purchase goods that align with their values.
Alfredo Gonzalez, Control Union Certifications North America President, notes: “Control Union recognises the importance of connecting local experts with local producers to achieve results that are reliable, efficient, and cost effective. The Fair Trade Certified™ seal is trusted by consumers and valued by producers because it sets the bar for social and environmental performance that is high but achievable. We look forward to putting our global network of professionals to work on behalf of Fair Trade USA’s members. We are already seeing interest in the Fair Trade USA standard from producers from the United States to Vietnam, and we look forward to meeting this growing demand”.
Paul Alvarez, Senior Manager Certifications Services at Fair Trade USA added: “Consumers highly value what Fair Trade certification delivers. Fair Trade is not just a way to do good, it is a way to transform business and meet producer’s sustainability goals. We are thrilled to work with Control Union as a recognised team for Fair Trade audits, giving producers a new certification body to choose from”.
Control Union Certifications is a recognised audit and certification body accredited and recognised for many sustainable production standards, including USDA NOP, European, and Korean organic standards, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), the UTZ Standard, PrimusGFS for global food safety, and the Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA).
About Fair Trade USA
Fair Trade USA is a non-profit organisation that promotes sustainable livelihoods for farmers and workers, protects fragile ecosystems, and builds strong, transparent supply chains through independent, third party certification. Its trusted Fair Trade Certified™ seal signifies that rigorous standards have been met in the production, trade and promotion of Fair Trade products from over 46 countries across the globe.
Recognised as a leading social venture by the Clinton Global Initiative, the Skoll Foundation and Ashoka, Fair Trade USA also provides critical capacity-building programs at origin, and educates consumers about the power of their purchase.
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