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EXPERTISE

Producers Support

  • FLOCERT Guarantee System

    Fairtrade International was historically the first organization that set up a guarantee system, which mainly applies to agricultural products. They developed the “Fairtrade” brand, recognizable by its well-known green and blue logo.


    By guaranteeing a minimum price and a premium payment, which producers invest into their businesses and communities, the Fairtrade system aims to give producers in developing countries the opportunity to improve their lives and plan their future.


    Any organization or entity wishing to display the Fairtrade mark on their products needs to comply with a set of standards laid down by Fairtrade International. These standards rely on a number of social, economic and environmental considerations.

     

    Fairtrade International and Fair Trade Lebanon have been working in partnership since 2012. Through this partnership, Lebanese farmers are being certified Fairtrade. There are now several Fairtrade certified products on the market, wine, olive oil, oregano, lentils, sesame, chickpeas, and chili pepper.

     

    FLOCERT, the Fairtrade labeling organization, conducts the auditing process. It is possible to certify most elements of a supply chain, from farming or production of raw materials, sometimes all the way to final packaging. After initial certification, FLOCERT carries out regular check-ups to make sure that the Fairtrade Standards continue to be met.


    Earning the Fairtrade certification means that:

    •    You care about good working conditions, fair prices and the environment.
    •    You help to create new levels of openness and transparency throughout the supply chain.
    You encourage fairness in your day-to-day operations.

  • WFTO GUARANTEE SYSTEM

    The World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) is a global network of organizations representing the Fair Trade supply chain: producers, marketers, exporters, importers, wholesalers and retailers that demonstrate 100% commitment to Fair Trade and apply the 10 WFTO Principles of Fair Trade to their supply chain. The works and achievements of its members make WFTO a global authority on Fair Trade and a guardian of Fair Trade values and principles.


    WFTO has over 370 member organizations and 40 individual associates from more than 70 countries spread across five continents. As a global network, WFTO is supported by five regional branches through their respective offices. The office in Culemborg, the Netherlands, coordinates the activities of WFTO worldwide.  Fair Trade Lebanon is a member of the board of WFTO Africa Middle East since 2010.


    The World Fair Trade Organization Guarantee System (WFTO-GS) is developed by a group of experts in the field of Fair Trade monitoring and verification. 
    The major principles of the development of the GS are credibility, sustainability and robustness. To achieve these three criteria, the GS has five major components: New Membership Admission Procedure, Self-Assessment Report, Monitoring Audit, Peer Visit, and the Fair Trade Accountability Watch (FTAW). The FTAW is a participative monitoring mechanism that allows the public to report compliance issues regarding Fair Trade Organizations.


    The GS is an assurance mechanism that Fair Trade principles are implemented in the supply chain and practices of the organization. Members that passed the GS process attain the ‘Guaranteed Fair Trade Organization’ status and may use the WFTO Label on their products.


    Products carrying the WFTO Label are made and traded by Guaranteed Fair Trade Organizations dedicated to the sustainable Fair Trade economy. Every purchase of products with the WFTO Label supports small producers and their communities. 

  • TEQ Guarantee System

    Faced with the growing number of certification and guarantee systems that are developing in international markets and their increasing complexity, Fair Trade Lebanon has designed a guarantee system adapted to the Lebanese market. The TEQ guarantee system (Transparency, Ethics, Quality) is a synthesis of several standards, developed in a version more accessible to small Lebanese producers. It applies mainly to local food products of agricultural origin. The system is offered to individual producers or producer groups (cooperatives or family businesses) in marginalized rural areas. For those targeting export markets, the TEQ guarantee is a first step towards accessing the certifications required by fair trade importers and facilitates their administrative procedures and requirements.

     

    The TEQ guarantee system aims to consolidate the commercial network of Fair Trade Lebanon through a unified local logo and to reinforce the fair trade products’ credibility on the Lebanese market, while promoting the respect for human rights, the integrity of workers and the environment.

     

    TEQ Standards meet different types of criteria: social, economic and environmental; relying on the three pillars of Transparency, Ethics and Quality.

    Transparency:
     
    -    Good commercial practices: the structure must be engaged in long-term relationships with its suppliers. It must not engage in competition between suppliers. In addition, the producers must not impose exclusivity contracts on their suppliers.

    -    Commitment to Communication: the structure cooperates well with FTL and inspectors. Inspectors must have access to account documents, list of producers, beneficiaries and activities.
     
    -    Label transparency: Consumers are able to have access to all the required information through the label. They have the right to ask for further information on the attestation of conformity and the TEQ standards.  

    Ethics:

    -    The structure has at its core democratic rules, it is open to all people, and it encourages the work of women. Medium to large enterprises are able to build up strong sustainable organizations with annual general assembly. 

    -    Respect of workers’ right and decent working conditions; it is fundamental to respect workers’ and human rights. All persons who participate in the work are equally treated regardless of their nationality, religion and social status. The working conditions are decent and do not impose any danger on personal health and security. Particular attention is given to the work of minors under strict working conditions.

    -    Good social and environmental impact: the structure is an economic center for the community; it provides business for the local community. It promotes Fair Trade principles. Work activities do not endanger the environment and there is no use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) crops.

    Quality:

    -    The product is safe for human consumption. Personal hygiene and structure cleanliness are essential for obtaining the TEQ conformity attestation. There is a constant control on hygiene in food preparation and a constant control on the cold chain (refrigeration). Food sampling is done and analyzed for bacterial, chemical and physical contamination in conformity with the standards of the local and export markets. 

    -    The product is of high quality, the structure works with defined product recipes, which are applied and constantly controlled (PH, Temperature…).
      
    -    The Product is traceable from the field to the market: in case of contamination or a product defect there is a quick reaction and the product is withdrawn from the market.

     

    Find out what can be TEQ Guaranteed and the procedure to apply for the TEQ Conformity attestation. 

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