Fair Trade - Fairtrade Labeling Organization

Started in Holland in 1987, FAIRTRADE LABELING ORGANIZATION (or FLO) is the worldwide Fairtrade Standard setting and Certification organization. It permits more than 800,000 agricultural producers and their dependants in more than 40 countries to benefit from products labeled Fairtrade. FLO guarantees that products sold anywhere in the world with a Fairtrade label marketed by a National Initiative conforms to Fairtrade Standards and contributes to the development of disadvantaged producers.

Started in Ottawa in 1996, TRANSFAIR (transfair.ca) is Canada's only independent certification organization for fair trade coffee, tea, cocoa and sugar. The Fair Trade Certified logo is an independent certification that adheres to monitoring criteria and standards set out by FLO. The TRANSFAIR CANADA Fair Trade Certified Logo guarantees consumers that their coffee, tea, cocoa and sugar originates from FLO monitored producers in Latin America, Africa and Asia.

To participate in fair trade, coffee farmers must be organized into democratic cooperatives and be accepted onto the FAIRTRADE REGISTER. To buy fair trade certified coffee, importers must be licensed by FLO and pay a minimum base price of US$1.26/lb. to the cooperative. To sell fair trade certified coffee, roasters must be licensed by FLO and pay fees equivalent to $0.13/lb. The entire transaction is monitored by FLO. All participants are subject to audits. Merchants of Green Coffee was the first licensed fair trade importer in North America.

Organic - International Federation Of Organic Agricultural Movements and Organic Crop Improvement Association

Started in Europe in 1972, the International Federation Of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM) is the worldwide umbrella organization of the organic agriculture movement, with about 750 member organizations and institutions in 100 countries all over the world. IFOAM's mission is leading, uniting and assisting the organic movement in its full diversity. It's goal is the worldwide adoption of ecologically, socially and economically sound systems that are based on the principles of Organic Agriculture. IFOAM is a democratic federation. Members organise themselves according to geographic regions or sector interests. The principle aims of organic production and processing are outlined in the IFOAM Basic Standards. These set out an international framework for organic production and processing.

Started in the Canada in 1967, the Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA) is a world leader in the certified organic industry. OCIA, a member-owned, nonprofit organization, provides research, education and certification services to thousands of organic growers, processors and handlers in North, Central and South America, Africa, Europe and Pacific Rim. OCIA offers certification services accredited by: IFOAM, United States National Organic Program, ISO Guide 65, the Conseil d'accrŽditation du QuŽbec (CAQ) and the Costa Rica Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG). The OCIA seal of organic certification is recognized around the world.

Biodiversity/Shade - Smithsonian Migratory Bird Centre and Rainforest Alliance

Started in the United States in 1889, the Smithsonian National Zoo was founded to study, celebrate and protect the diversity of animals and their habitats. The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Centre (SMBC) was later set-up to focus exclusively on migratory birds. Its mission, through a combination of research, education, training, and policy work, is to foster greater understanding, appreciation, and protection of the grand phenomenon of bird migration, clarifying the causes for declines in migratory bird populations before the situation becomes desperate, and bridging the academic, policy-making, and public worlds to coordinate efforts to protect migratory birds and their habitats. The Bird Friendly coffee program defines the minimum shade management practices necessary for a coffee plantation to be consider sustainable. "Bird Friendly¨" coffee is the only coffee on the market that is certified as shade-grown and organic by an independent inspector.

Started in the United States in 1987, the Rainforest Alliance is now a leading international conservation organization. Its mission is to protect ecosystems and the people and wildlife that live within them by developing and implementing best management practices and standards for commodity crops, providing incentives to farmers to meet those standards, and encouraging the marketing industries and consumers to support farmers who are making on-farm improvements toward sustainability. The Rainforest Alliance has certified over 400,000 acres in the production of bananas, oranges, coffee and cacao according to its environmental and social standards, represented by the Rainforest Alliance Certified^TM seal. More than 40,000 farm families directly benefit from the program.

Sustainability - Global EcoLabeling: A United Nations Initiative

Sustainability in coffee production must look at all aspects of the business equation - economic, social and environmental. Although significant progress has been made by others to establish criteria for fair trade and sustainable coffee growing methods, there has been little to no focus on processing.

In 1999, the Government of Canada working in conjunction with Merchants of Green Coffee (see the article), established the world's first criteria for growing and processing coffee under sustainable conditions.

The Government of Canada's is one of 24 international governments participating in the Global EcoLabeling Network - a United Nations eco-labeling initiative started in 1988. In Canada, the Program's official symbol of certification - the EcoLogoM - features three stylized doves intertwined to form a maple leaf, representing consumers, industry and government working together to protect and improve environment. A key aspect of the certification process is the requirement for third party verification of compliance to Environmental Choice Program certification criteria as a condition for certification and licensing. In order to obtain the EcoLogo, a product or service must be made or offered in a way that: improves energy efficiency; reduces hazardous by-products; uses recycled materials; is re-usable; or provides some other environmental benefit. In addition, certified products or services must meet or exceed any applicable industry specific safety and performance standards. The Environmental Choice Program is internationally renowned for its stringent certification process.