The fabrics that we use to make our clothes and which we want to wear ourselves are not only to be ecological, practical and beautiful. Safety is our priority – our safety but also of those who participate in the production process, even if it is only for a while. The Fairtrade certificate guarantees that no human has been hurt during the production process (and this covers not only fabrics production, but also all other stages – from cotton crops to dyeing and sewing).

It’s all about the origin

We have already written on why the Fairtrade certificate is a milestone in the world of fashion here. Fairtrade certified cotton producers with such a label, which often come from the countries of the global South, receive decent wages for their work. The certificate guarantees that the raw material is produced on plantation free from forced labour or child labour; women and men are treated equally and decisions are made democratically. Middlemen who operate within the Fairtrade system pay the minimum price or the market price for the cotton – whichever is higher at the moment. In this way, farmers are protected in case of poor crops. Companies also receive development bonuses.

Production under scrutiny

Farmers certified by Fair Trade organizations promote more sustainable farming. They are not allowed to use genetically modified cotton. They must reduce pesticides to levels that do not lead to desertification or soil degradation and implement sustainable water management.

Features that matter

Cotton is well known for its softness, breathability and hypoallergenic properties. It is all seasons and all year round fabric. For us, however, it has one more important feature. Cotton with the Fairtrade certificate, although delicate, courageously changes the existing (dis) order of the world.

Fairtrade cotton in numbers

According to the World Health Organization, around the world about 20000 people die every year as a result of accidental poisoning with pesticides. The Fairtrade certificate protects the health and life of plantation, factory and sewing workers – it upholds human rights. So no one gets hurt.