Key transformation expected in fairtrade standards

29 November 2025: Farmers, workers, and businesses are facing a complex range of challenges including everything from climate change and widening social inequalities to rising costs and an increasingly complex regulatory environment.

Fairtrade International recognises that innovative approaches and stronger support systems are needed to respond to these issues, and that is why we are carrying out a major evolution of our standards. The new evolved standards will be more effective and at the same time remain practical to implement and firmly grounded in Fairtrade’s core principles and values.

“We know the world is shifting, we see the pressure farmers and companies are under, and we will be there supporting them with evolved standards that meet their practical needs as well as the requirements for a trade system that is fair and just,” said Marike Runneboom de Peña, Interim CEO of Fairtrade International.

The revision includes all of Fairtrade generic standards – Small-scale Producer Organisations – SPO, Hired Labour Organisations – HLO, and Trader, as well as all the product standards related to agricultural production.

Farmers and workers will be able to prioritise their actions to respond to the social, environmental, and economic challenges they face locally and gain recognition for other relevant certifications they hold reducing duplication and effort.

Companies and licensees will be able to more easily demonstrate their commitments and results in building resilient supply chains and the actions they are taking to meet relevant human rights and environmental regulations.

Fairtrade plans to engage key stakeholders throughout the process, including a full public consultation in 2026. Fairtrade strongly encourages famers, workers, partners and all other stakeholders to take part because participation will lead to more effective solutions.

Following the consultation with stakeholders, Fairtrade expects to publish the new, evolved standards in 2027, and that certification against them will begin by 2028.

The evolution of Fairtrade’s Standards represents the organisation’s commitment to adapt and evolve to the external environment while supporting certified organisations and partners in building an equitable and sustainable future for all.

www.fairtrade.net