In solidarity and partnership with leading fair trade advocacy group Fair World Project, Dr. Bronner’s has  joined more than 300 organizations uniting around the world to support the launch of the International Fair Trade Charter. The charter, initiated by Fairtrade International and the World Fair Trade Organization, among others, defines a new model to build a stronger economy and environment for all. It has been recognized by a wide range of local, national and international organizations from across the cooperative, social enterprise, organic, farmer, and global solidarity movements. According to its backers, the Charter underscores the fundamental values of the fair trade movement and defines a common vision for a world in which justice, equity, and sustainable development are at the heart of trade structures, business models, and economic practices so that everyone can maintain a decent and dignified livelihood.

“The International Fair Trade Charter charts a course for the future of fair trade,” David Bronner, CEO of Dr. Bronner’s said in a statement.  “Our company has always put people and the planet before profit. It is critical that all of us who use business to work toward a more fair and just economy encourage broader participation and engagement in the global movement for fair trade. This charter is an important means to that end.”

The 70-year-old family-owned company sources its major raw materials from certified organic and fair trade projects around the world, including from Ghana (palm oil), Palestine and Israel (olive oil), and Sri Lanka (coconut oil).
 
The announcement of the Charter comes as leaders from Dr. Bronner’s and Fair World Project have joined leaders of the fair trade personal care brand  Alaffia on an educational delegation to Ghana and Togo to learn more about their community-led development programs and explore ethical supply chain partnerships.

“The new International Fair Trade Charter deepens our understanding of why fair trade is so important.  We’ve reached an extreme of globalization in which large corporations continually chase after weaker and cheaper labor and environmental practices across the globe and are destroying natural resources at an alarming rate,” said Dana Geffner, executive director of Fair World Project. “By working and organizing together in our advocacy, production and marketing work, and most importantly, in our support of small-scale producer organizations within their own communities under their own rules, we can build a more just economy on the principles of fairness, equity, and justice for all.”

“We see spiralling inequality and entrenched poverty because businesses and trade have been shaped to prioritize profits above all else,” added Erinch Sahan, chief executive of the World Fair Trade Organization. “Fair trade shows that a better way is possible.”

Sahan shares more about the launch of the International Fair Trade Charter in this video:
 





Central to the International Fair Trade Charter is a common understanding that the benefits of global trade must be shared more equally across farmers, workers, companies, and consumers.

“Trade can and should be used as a tool to help close the gaps across society,” says Dario Soto Abril, Global Chief Executive Officer of Fairtrade International. “For decades, the fair trade movement has pioneered approaches that have the potential to transform the broader global economy. The International Fair Trade Charter provides a point of reference and inspiration for others to follow suit.”