Fair Trade USA Certification

Recognizing Sustainability and Equitable Trade Best Practices

Vanessa Olaechea   |  
Eddie Gómez   |  

Fair Trade Certified™ products provide the rigorous social and environmental guarantees that many retailers and buyers are now demanding. The Fair Trade USA certification model is designed to ensure that trade practices at every level of the supply chain are registered and audited to the Fair Trade USA Agriculture Production and Capture Fisheries Standards (APS and CFS). Fair Trade empowers consumers to support farmers, farm workers, and fishers and to have a positive impact on agricultural and fishing communities through their everyday purchases.

SCS Global Services provides timely, cost-effective auditing services to the Fair Trade USA Agriculture Production and Capture Fisheries Standards (APS and CFS). By successfully completing the Fair Trade USA certification process, your operation can achieve this distinctive recognition to enhance your marketplace value while supporting farmers, farm workers, and fishers and protecting the environment.

As the first certification body auditing to the Fair Trade USA standards, SCS offers services worldwide for a wide variety of agricultural and seafood producers which include fresh fruit and vegetables, coffee, tea, herbs, cocoa, sugar, nuts, oils and butters, honey and spices, beans and grains, flowers, certified ingredients used in ready-to-drink beverages, and seafood.

Why Choose SCS?

SCS offers the strongest expertise in the implementation of the Fair Trade USA Model, built from our long-standing collaboration with Fair Trade USA as the first approved certification body to both programs. We are the certifier of choice, recognized for our expertise, commitment to quality, and transparency.

SCS brings to each client:

•   36+ years of experience in sustainable agriculture and seafood assessment
•   Regional auditors with experience and extensive industry knowledge
•   Expert support to help you navigate new customer requirements
•   Exceptional customer service and quick turnaround time
•   Ability to bundle Fair Trade certification with other food certifications for added efficiency and cost savings

  • Service Offerings
  • Certification Process
  • Benefits
  • FAQs
  • APSCA Member

SCS services include certification to the following Fair Trade standards:

Agricultural Production Standard (APS)

Producers certified under the Fair Trade USA Agricultural ProductionStandard demonstrate compliance with requirements in the following areas:

  • Empowerment
  • Fundamental Rights at Work
  • Wages, Working Conditions, and Access to Services
  • Biodiversity, Ecosystem Function, and Sustainable Production
  • Traceability and Transparency
  • Internal Management System

Fair Trade USA infographic

 

Capture Fisheries Standard (CFS)

Fisheries certified under the Fair Trade USA Capture Fisheries Standard demonstrate compliance with requirements in the following areas:

  • Structural Requirements
  • Empowerment & Community Development
  • Fundamental Human Rights
  • Wages, Working Conditions, and Access to Services
  • Resource Management
  • Trade Requirements

    Capture fisheries infographic

 

Complementary Services

In addition to auditing farms, estates, smallholders, fisheries, and traders for conformance to Fair Trade USA standards, SCS Global Services offers a wide range of complementary certification services including SMETA, Equitable Food Initiative (EFI), Sustainably Grown, Veriflora, SAI-Farm Sustainability Assessment, Rainforest Alliance, USDA Organic and GFSI benchmarked food safety certifications such as GLOBALG.A.P. & PrimusGFS, GAP or GMP food safety audit.

Apply Now

Ready to start the process? Complete an Application.

Watch

Watch

Watch a short video on how companies can showcase their social responsibility and ethical sourcing with Fair Trade USA Certification.
Listen

Listen

Hear how Fair Trade USA certification can ensure sustainable trade practices at every level of your supply chain.
Read

Read

Download a quick reference guide detailing the steps it takes to become Fair Trade USA certified with SCS Global Services.

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