Fair trade
Products and brands with verified fair-labour certification, and explainers on what fair trade labels actually guarantee.
Fair trade certification guarantees minimum prices and labour standards for producers. This hub collects certified products and explains the differences between the labels.
Recommended Fair trade products
A legendary multi-use soap that is widely recommended by groomers for pets due to its organic, fair-trade ingredients and complete lack of synthetic detergents.
The gold standard of ethical electronics, featuring modular parts for easy repair and a focus on fair cobalt and gold sourcing.
A carbon-neutral, heavy-duty protective sleeve made from organic cotton canvas by a Fair Trade cooperative in India.
Hand-knit heirloom dolls that provide 10 meals to children in need for every doll sold, crafted by artisans in Peru under fair trade conditions.
A stunning hand-stitched scarf made from organic cotton and vintage silk by marginalized women in India.
An heirloom-quality, hand-knit plush toy created by artisans in Peru using high-quality Peruvian cotton, following strict fair trade principles.
Indulgence with a conscience, this woman-led brand donates 10% of annual net profits to wildlife conservation while ensuring cocoa farmers receive a living wage.
High-potency adaptogenic support from a brand deeply committed to FairWild sourcing and regenerative agriculture.
A collaborative craft kit that brings the ancient Indian tradition of woodblock printing to your home using heritage techniques and organic materials.
A handwoven wedding ring crafted from organic cotton and recycled gold, sourced from fair-trade cooperatives in North Africa. This piece is designed for long-term wear and ethical gifting, with low environmental impact.
A beanie made from upcycled sari silk and organic cotton, hand-knit by women artisans in Egypt. This hat is PFAS-free, fair-trade certified, and a top-rated winter essential.
Hand-poured automotive wax using ethically harvested carnauba wax from the Piauí region, offering a high-gloss, pet-safe finish.
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Gift ideas on this topic
Ethical Christmas Gifts
Cruelty-free, fair-trade and B Corp Christmas gifts under every budget. Skip mass-produced fast-shipping clutter — give something that means something.
Ethical Valentine's Day Gifts
Romantic, sustainable Valentine's Day gifts — fair-trade chocolate, vegan skincare, B Corp jewelry and more.
Ethical Mother's Day Gifts
Show her you care — about her and the planet. Top ethical Mother's Day gifts ranked by certifications, sourcing and brand ethics.
Ethical Father's Day Gifts
Sustainable Father's Day gifts that don't end up in a drawer. From fair-trade coffee to organic grooming, ranked by ethics score.
Related controversies
Greenwashing Accusations Over 'Carbon Neutral' Claims
In 2022, Cotopaxi was named in a report by the watchdog group Clean Creatives for using carbon offsets that the group argued were ineffective and potentially fraudulent, particularly offsets tied to forestry projects that did not meet certification standards. The report questioned the veracity of Cotopaxi's claim that certain product lines were 'carbon neutral.'
Union-busting findings — NLRB officer ruling
A US National Labor Relations Board hearing officer found Amazon violated federal labour law during the JFK8 Staten Island union election.
Worker rights allegations at UK distribution centre
In 2022, The Guardian reported that temporary workers at Pukka Herbs' main distribution centre in Bristol faced poor working conditions, including low pay and lack of breaks, via a logistics contractor. The company stated it had since ended the contract and improved monitoring. The report highlighted systemic issues in supply chain labour practices.
Greenwashing complaint against Pact Coffee over 'carbon neutral' claims
In 2021, environmental campaigners and media outlets questioned Pact Coffee’s carbon neutral certification, noting that the company relied heavily on carbon offsets rather than direct emission reductions. A complaint was filed with the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) over misleading marketing. The ASA investigated but did not formally uphold the complaint, though the controversy raised ongoing scrutiny of offset-based claims.
Class Action Lawsuit Over Environmental and Animal Welfare Claims
A consumer filed a class action lawsuit alleging that Allbirds misled the public regarding its carbon footprint calculations and the treatment of sheep in its supply chain. The plaintiff argued the company's 'sustainable' marketing didn't account for the full environmental impact of wool production or the 'ZQ' certification's actual oversight of animal welfare. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed by a federal judge in 2022.
Workers' Rights Allegations at The Little Market Supplier
In 2020, reports emerged that The Little Market, a fair-trade brand co-founded by Lauren Conrad and Hannah Skvarla, faced scrutiny over working conditions at one of its supplier factories in India. An investigation by The Daily Beast alleged that workers making products for the brand were paid below living wages and faced unsafe conditions, contradicting the brand's public commitment to ethical production. The Little Market initially denied the claims but later revised its sourcing practices.