Fair trade is an alternative approach to conventional trade based on a partnership between producers and traders, businesses and consumers. The international Fairtrade system – made up of Fairtrade International and its member organizations – represents the world’s largest and most recognized fair trade system. 1988 was the year of the launch of the first Fairtrade label, Max Havelaar, under the initiative of the Dutch development agency Solidaridad. The first Fairtrade coffee from Mexico was sold into Dutch supermarkets. It was branded Max Havelaar, after a fictional Dutch character who opposed the exploitation of coffee pickers in Dutch colonies. In the late ‘80s/early ‘90s, The Max Havelaar initiative is replicated in several other markets across Europe and North America: Max Havelaar (in Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway and France), Transfair (in Germany, Austria, Luxemburg, Italy, the United States, Canada and Japan), Fairtrade Mark in the UK and Ireland, Rättvisemärkt in Sweden, and Reilu Kauppa in Finland. In 1997, the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) was established in Bonn, Germany to unite the national Fairtrade organizations under one umbrella and harmonize worldwide standards and certification. Five years later, Fairtrade International launches the international FAIRTRADE Certification Mark. The goals of the launch were to improve the visibility of the Mark on supermarket shelves, facilitate cross border trade and simplify export procedures for both producers and exporters. Producer representatives join the FLO Board of Directors. In 2004, Fairtrade International splits into two independent organizations: Fairtrade international, which sets Fairtrade standards and provides producer support, and FLOCERT, which inspects and certifies producer organizations and audits traders. Finnaly, in 2007 Fairtrade International is recognised by ISEAL as one of seven organizations that have reached the highest standards for defining ethical trade. Global sales increased by 47%. Producers become full members/co-owners of Fairtrade International. 
Website: http://www.fairtrade.net/
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