'Fair Trade' organisations have historically been a pillar of the development movement. These organisations stem from the conviction that the construction of global trade is one of the main reasons for the unequal distribution of wealth in the world and that fair trade would lead to a redistribution of this wealth. With the introduction of the concept of sustainable development in 1987 and the establishment of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 1995, this discussion has taken on a (new) contemporary meaning. The concept of integrating environmental and social aspects into fair trade can be seen in the fact that today's fair trade organisations take environmental concerns into consideration. They have become more professional due to internal changes, growing consumer awareness and demand for fair trade products. In this section, social and environmental initiatives are mentioned in order to provide a sustainable trade overview. The activities of these organisations - which are not all NGOs - range from the selling of products and promotion of trade in general, fair trade or environmentally friendly products and awareness raising. A growing category is formed by certification organisations in the fields of sustainable production and trade.

AgroFair is an importer and distributor of organic and fair-trade tropical fresh fruit, combining ‘Agriculture’ with ‘Fair-trade’. The company was established in 1996. At present, its products are sold in several European countries.

AgroFair’s way of working is characterised by ownership of, and direct collaboration with, the producers. AgroFair buys all products directly from the producers or their organisations, without the intervention of intermediary buyers. All fruit producers, organised as plantations or co-operatives, are registered in the International Fruit Producers’ Register of the Fair Trade Labelling Organisations International (FLO) and some of them are also certified organic producers.

AgroFair A&D is an NGO established by Solidaridad. It works in close cooperation with AgroFair Ltd. Its work involves: (1) providing organisational, financial and technical support to disadvantaged producers and workers; (2) developing a wide range of Fair trade and organic fruit produce by assisting conventional producers with conversion; (3) guiding producers through different kinds of certification processes in various areas such as social, environmental and technical certifications; and (4) developing export promotion programmes in less developed countries.

CBI is an agency of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is operating since 1971 within the policy framework of the Minister for Development Cooperation. CBI’s main objective is to contribute to the economic independence and social welfare of developing countries in Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Central and South America, the Mediterranean and the Pacific. To fulfil this mission, CBI aims at strengthening the competitiveness of companies from these regions entering the Western European market. In practice, CBI’s activities have been broadened from assisting companies in accessing the European market to include interventions in business processes within companies and local business support organisations.

CBI has 5 main products: export promotion programmes, strengthening of local business support organisations, human resources development, market information and trade intermediary services. Activities are being developed within 21 sectors that can be clustered in four main categories: (1) agriculture, fisheries and forestry; (2) consumer products; (3) other industrial products; and (4) services.

The Clean Clothes Campaign was launched in the Netherlands in October 1990 and aims to focus attention on the poor labour conditions and circumstances in the worldwide garment industry and to press for changes. The Campaign is organised as a platform and consists of consumer groups, researchers, solidarity groups, trade unions and Third World Shops. It informs consumers by spreading information, putting pressure on retailers (for example through protest letter campaigns) and negotiating with retailers and retailers' organisations for a Fair Trade Charter for garments, conducting research on working conditions. The CCC works together with organisations in both Europe and the South.

Fair Flowers Fair Plants (FFP) is a new initiative to stimulate the production and sales of flowers and plants cultivated in a sustainable manner. Sustainably cultivated flowers and plants are grown in a way that respects people and the environment. These products are then presented to consumers under the label FFP.

Fairfood was established in 2000. Its mission is research into structural solutions for hunger. Central element in FairFood's philosophy is the conviction that hunger is not necessary because there is sufficient food in the world. The real problem lies within the policies of the rich countries. It is those policies that need to be changed. Activities include: 1) fundraising; 2) research into food insecurity; 3) publicity campaigns, fact sheets, press announcements and public campaigns; and 4) policy campaigns.

FairFood examines the relationship between products exported to the EU (products that come on our plates) and hunger in the exporting country.

Fair Trade Original, formerly Fair Trade Organization and Fair Trade Assistance, and incorporated in 1959, is the founder of development trade - an initiative which has since been adopted all over the world.

Farmers and other producers in developing countries supply high-quality products to Fair Trade Original. Fair Trade Original, in collaboration with organisations in the countries of origin, makes every effort to ensure that the products are compatible with the needs of European consumers. For this reason the producers receive information and training courses relating to new trends and developments in food safety, knowledge that would otherwise remain inaccessible to them. Fair Trade Original buys the products under fair trade terms and conditions, and offers the producers support in product development, production methods, logistics, and marketing.

Fair Trade Original sells products mainly through six Fair Trade Shops, 390 World Shops and a growing number of supermarkets and other mainstreamshops in the Netherlands. It is a member of the European Fair Trade Association (EFTA) and the International Federation for Alternative Trade (IFAT). In 2006 Fair Trade Original started to focus on the general public a.o. through the introduction of the new Fair Trade Original brand name.

 

 

FSC Netherlands (formerly known as 'Stichting Goed Hout') consists of approximately 100 business firms, environmental and development organisations. FSC Netherlands is a nominated agent of the worldwide Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). This is an international body that accredits certification organisations in order to guarantee the authenticity of their claims. In all cases forest owners and managers who request the services of a certification organisation will initiate the process of certification voluntarily. The goal of FSC is to promote environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world's forests, by establishing a worldwide standard of recognized and respected Principles of Forest Stewardship.

The Max Havelaar Foundation strives for fair and just trade relations worldwide. Central to its policy is sustainable production, trade and consumption. The Foundation's goal is to offer access to international trade with good conditions for farmers and workers in disadvantaged parts of the developing world so that they can build a better future for themselves. This means consumers and retailers must also pay enough to cover social and environmental costs. Max Havelaar aims to serve the interests of small-scale coffee, cocoa, banana and honey producers in developing countries by promoting the sale of their products in the Netherlands. The Foundation grants 'labels' to these products, bought directly from producer's cooperatives, at a price higher than the world market level and never under a fixed guaranteed price. This is partly financed in advance and based on long-term relations. Through this approach Max Havelaar tries to change 'normal' trade practice that is presently dominated by large-scale companies.

The Foundation is a member of the FLO, the worldwide Fairtrade Standard setting and Certification organisation.

'Stichting Milieukeur' is an independent foundation established in 1992 for the development and implementation of the ‘Milieukeur’, a reliable trademark for environmentally friendly products in the Netherlands. The foundation formulates environmental criteria for Milieukeur in cooperation with producers, trade, consumers, environmental organisations and the government. The foundation's objectives are to inform consumers about environmental products, to recognise producers that manufacture environmentally friendly products and to stimulate the development of these products.

Over 390 World Shops in the Netherlands sell fair trade products from small-scale producers in the South. Coffee, tea, textiles and craft are the best-known examples. Direct import and a good price for the producer are characteristics of the World Shops fair trade approach. World Shops aim to increase the market share of fair trade in order to realise changes in regular trade and seek to inform the wider public about the connection between trade and development. At international level the National Association of World Shops is a member of NEWS! (Network of European World Shops) and collaborates with EFTA (European Fair Trade Association) and IFAT (International Federation of Alternative Trade).

The Retour Foundation was founded in 1987 to promote what was known then as responsible tourism (REsponsible TOURism). For Retour this is tourism that is in line with the idea of sustainable development, safeguarding the preservation of ecological, social and economic resources needed by future generations.

This idea of tourism over the years has been covered under many headings, e.g. alternative tourism, ethical tourism, acceptable tourism, community tourism, eco-tourism and/or sustainable tourism. The main thrust of Retour is to promote tourism that contributes to sustainable development with special attention for the empowerment of local communities in tourism destinations.

Information is made available to other groups through information campaigns, workshops, lectures, a website and publications in the ‘Montezuma’ series.

Skal is an independent, non-profit organisation. In accordance with the EU regulation for organic agriculture, Skal is authorised by the Dutch government as the relevant inspection body in this field. Skal's services relate to inspection and certification of organic production in the Netherlands. Skal is also the holder of the officially registered EKO-quality symbol that is accorded to products meeting the standards set for organic production methods. The certification of Skal is based on: 1) the EU-Regulation for organic production and/or processing of agricultural products, including the import of organic products from outside the EU and 2) the Skal standards in cases that the EU-regulation is not applicable.

The SVN was founded in the United States in 1987 as a network of socially and environmentally engaged entrepreneurs and business leaders dedicated to making a more just, humane and sustainable world. In 1993 the SVN Network Europe was founded and in the same year SVN Netherlands. The Social Venture Network believes that businesses and NGOs have become a major social force that can and must make a significant contribution to solving problems. Network members share experiences and best practices in the fields of social and environmental responsibility, facilitating transactions among members and the start-up of new organisations and ventures. Thus SVN can create visions for a sustainable world and help implement them.

The general secretariat of SVN Europe is in the Netherlands.

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