Social Auditing and Certifications
Fair World Project
As of January 2023, Fair World Project is a project of Corporate Accountability Lab. Fair World Project (FWP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that advocates for fair trade policies that supports small-scale farmers, artisans and workers by promoting organic and fair trade practices and transparent third-party certification. Through consumer education and advocacy, FWP supports dedicated fair trade producers and brands, and insists on integrity in use of the term “fairness” certifications, labeling and marketing. From 2023 onwards, CAL will ensure that FWP’s existing content, including their website, reports, podcast, and social media are maintained so that they can continue to be a resource to all in the fight for a better world.
Read our press release on the merger here.
These days, if you go into a grocery store, there are numerous labels on food products touting how ethical and sustainable the product is. Yet these certification labels often misrepresent the labor and environmental standards used to produce these products. Certification schemes, such as Fairtrade International, were initially developed to provide workers – often farm workers in rural areas – with increased income, better working conditions, and a steady stream of buyers. Moreover, they signaled to consumers that the products were produced sustainably, without exploiting workers, children, or the environment.