WFTO Fair Trade Certification

Finally... several months since completing our audits and being the first organisation in the world certified against the Sustainable Fair Trade Management System, I have heard from the World Fair Trade Organisation that they are going to allow us to write on our products that Pachacuti is Fair Trade Certified.

It isn't quite a 'label' yet, but is a really positive step as these will be the first products in the world to state that they come from a Certified Fair Trade Organisation where all business, from the supply chain through to packaging and environmental issues, have been externally audited. All labelling to date has concentrated on the raw material. Although Fairtrade certified cotton is undoubtedly important, in the fashion industry the added value comes from the design and manufacture of the garment. High ethical standards in garment manufacture is undoubtedly of concern to consumers given the reaction to recent reports from War on Want about sweatshop labour at 15 High Street stores (visit http://www.lovefashionhatesweatshops.org/Disgraced )