What is World Fair Trade Day all about? World Fair Trade Day is the second Saturday in May each year, and is celebrated to promote and educate about fair trade. Not that long ago being a smart shopper simply meant getting the best price. Today we know getting the best price could mean the goods we are purchasing were manufactured in sweatshops, were produced by child or forced labor, under poor working conditions and negatively impacting the environment. How do we sort it all out?
Neal’s Yard Remedies supports three organizations dedicated to fair trade.
Fairtrade
Fairtrade ensures that the farmers and producers involved get a fair deal for their work, and a premium for community projects. Neal’s Yard Remedies Fairtrade ingredients include organic honey, rooibos, apricot oil and Brazil nut oil. In 2009 Neal’s Yard Remedies helped launch skincare enriched with Fairtrade certified ingredients. According to the Fairtrade website, Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives.
Fair for Life
Fair for Life stands for fair trade and sustainable supply chains. Organic argan oil, geranium and tea tree essential oils are among the ingredients Neal’s Yard Remedies uses carrying the Fair for Life certification. According to the Fair for Life website, Fair for Life Certification assures that human rights are safeguarded at any stage of production, workers enjoy good and fair working conditions and smallholder farmers receive a fair share. Fair trade improves the livelihood of thousands of smallholder farmers and workers by providing the means for social community projects and empowerment of people.
FairWild
FairWild promotes best practices in harvesting and gathering wild plants used in cosmetics, fabric and medicinal products, and a fair deal for all those involved in the supply chain. One in five wild plants are at risk of extinction from over harvesting and loss of habitat. In 2013, Neal’s Yard Remedies launched the world’s first certified organic and independently assured sustainable and fairly traded wild-harvested frankincense.
This is just 3 of the many wonderful organizations Neal’s Yard Remedies supports, and another reason I love representing this company. You can feel good about your purchases from Neal’s Yard Remedies. They are independently verified by the industry’s leading certifying bodies and organizations, guaranteeing the highest possible standards.
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