Economisch en Sociaal Comité wil duidelijke richtlijnen voor keurmerken zoals fair-trade (en)

EESC supports Fair Trade and other sustainability labels as a positive direction for international trade

The dynamic and market-responsive nature of the consumer labels is encouraged by their voluntary nature . More resources and better regulatory support shoul d be given to the development of improved transparency, impact and credibility of such schemes. This is the key idea set out in the opinion on the role of fair trade in contributing to sustainable development adopted by the EESC plenary session on 20 January 2010.

The opinion on "Contributing to sustainable development: the role of fair trade and non-governmental trade-related sustainability assurance schemes" by rapporteur Richard Adams (Various Interests' Group, United Kingdom) and co-rapporteur Madi Sharma (Employers Group, United Kingdom), encourages and highly supports the increasing impact of consumer labelling schemes to enable consumer choice.

"Resource and regulatory support should be given to the development of the improved transparency, impact and credibility of the wide range of different schemes and the capacity of producers to influence them and participate through certification" said the rapporteur. The purpose should be to harmonise approaches where they agree and guarantee that the individual factors which distinguish them are communicated in a transparent and clear way.

Fair Trade has played a main role in stimulating practical consumer action on sustainable purchasing, with the building of civil society engagement in numerous forms. "A further commitment by the EU is required to better support civil society organisations to develop consumer awareness and encouragement for sustainability assurance schemes in this field as it additionally provides the capacity to generate civil solidarity and positive action" stressed both co-rapporteurs.

The EESC points out that the growth in recent years of all forms of sustainable purchasing initiatives shows that it is now time to seriously explore and consider how the underlying standards and processes can influence its engagement with the World Trade Organization (WTO) - "especially concerning international trade policy towards developing countries which gives greater emphasis to social and environmental aspects" - concluded Richard Adams.

The full text of the report will soon be available in all EU languages on:

https://toad.eesc.europa.eu/AgendaDocuments.aspx?pmi=gtVlc5KvOec%3d

For more details on the opinions, please contact the rapporteurs:

http://eescmembers.eesc.europa.eu/EESCMembers.aspx?culture=en

Or send an email to Tuula.Turunen@eesc.europa.eu

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