Fairtrade International to overhaul its standards by 2028 to serve farmers better
Fairtrade International has already begun this collaboration involving three regional producer networks, 25 national organisations, and third-party certifier Flocert
KAMPALA, December 3, 2025 — Fairtrade International is initiating a comprehensive update of its standards, aimed at better supporting farmers, workers, and businesses in addressing critical social, environmental, and economic challenges. This initiative encompasses a revision of generic standards including those for Small-scale Producer Organisations [SPO], Hired Labour Organisations [HLO], and Trader standards, as well as all product standards related to agricultural production.
Marike Runneboom de Peña, interim CEO of Fairtrade International, emphasises the need to adapt to the changing landscape and the pressures faced by farmers and companies, assuring that the updated standards will cater to their practical needs alongside ensuring a fair trade system.
This multi-year programme is deemed a strategic priority for Fairtrade, intended to enhance the value offered to farmers, workers, and associated businesses. The updates will enable farmers and workers to address local challenges more efficiently and gain acknowledgment for other relevant certifications, minimizing redundant efforts.
Simultaneously, companies will find it easier to showcase their commitments towards building resilient supply chains, aligning actions with human rights and environmental regulations.
The evolved standards will focus on several key priorities: embedding human rights and environmental practices to validate efforts towards improving livelihoods, ensuring equitable working conditions, and safeguarding the environment; adopting a risk-based approach to social and environmental issues through Fairtrade’s extensive ‘risk map’ to prioritise what matters most; enabling producers and traders to establish robust systems for implementing effective actions while increasing transparency and measurable results; and enhancing user-friendliness by reducing the number of standards, streamlining requirements, and clarifying their alignment with meaningful actions.
Fairtrade International has already begun this collaboration involving three regional producer networks, 25 national organisations, and third-party certifier Flocert. A public consultation is planned for 2026, engaging farmers, workers, and stakeholders in the development process. The final versions of the evolved standards are expected to be published in 2027, with certification commencing in 2028, reinforcing Fairtrade’s position as a trusted standard among consumers.
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