The Fair Trade Initiatives in the Fashion Industry

The Fair Trade Initiatives in the Fashion Industry 

Mahima Nand
Asst. Editor in Textile Merchandising
Research Scholar in Sustainable fashion
National Institute of Fashion Technology
New Delhi – 110 016, India
Email: mahima.nand@nift.ac.in

 

Fair Trade Marks:

These are globally recognized symbols of the International Fair Trade System. When a customer purchases a garment or a product with any of these fair trade symbols he or she actually supports these workers or farmers or employees and help them improve their livelihood. For e.g.-

This symbol can be seen in a wide variety of products like jewelry, clothing etc which means that each and every step involved in the making of these products are fairly traded.

What then is a Fair Trade?

Business with fair standards that work not only for profit-making but also likes to care for the workers or employees working for their farms, brands, company or industry. In Fashion, from growing a single seed of let’s say cotton till the disposal of the final product must have a harmless process of manufacturing, producing, marketing, consuming and disposing of. I appreciate that all standards are now have started to be an important part of fashion companies that are helping not only themselves to grow but are also taking care of their employee’s health, education, training, and growth.

Why is Fair Trade important?

Benefits of fair trade in the fashion industry are as below-

1. Fair prices of products are agreed to be paid to workers that help improves the quality of their lives this protects the industry from market fluctuations.

2. These products are bought to ensure that the customer is aware of how the product is made.

3. Some fair trade groups also agree with a long term contract with farmers and workers that help them have stability for both the company and their own livelihood too.

4. Workers under fair trade are audited regularly to ensure their health and safety are being met.

5. Fairtrade emphasizes supporting the environment also by using eco-friendly products and processes.

If you want to know more about Eco-friendly product then you can read my this article

Eco-Friendly Organic Cotton in Clothing and Apparel 

The Best Fair Trade Brands in the World:

Here are some fair trade organizations all around the world-

1. Fairtrade International
2. Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS).
3. Textile Exchange
4. World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO).
5. The fairtrade USA.
6. Centre of sustainable fashion.
7. Clean clothes campaign

Few Fair Trade Brands in Fashion Industries:

There are a different number of fair trade organizations around the world that provide guidance, support, and certification for brands that want to operate in a fair way. Few fair trade brands in fashion industries are as follows-