Project description

Title: Flanking Measure for the Promotion of Social and Ecological Standards
Financier: (in IS projects)
Country: worldwide
Overall term: From 12 Dec. 2002 to 31 Dec. 2003

Context

As a side-effect of globalisation, the conditions under which imports are produced in developing countries attract greater public attention worldwide. Glaring examples of abuse such as the widespread employment of children in the production process worldwide, or the production of export goods in Chinese prisons, have attracted broad public attention in the importing countries to the situation of working people in developing and transition countries, and sharpened awareness of their problems. Consumers, particularly those that 'practise development policy through the shopping basket' play a major role by supporting quality certificates and codes of conduct.

Objective and impacts

Oeko-fair.de promotes sustainable habits amongst consumers by informing them about "eco-fair" trade products, activities and organisations. At the same time it performs a networking function between the various actors and the two levels of sustainable development. This is based on the idea that greater transparency and more information foster a more conscious decision to purchase sustainable products. The portal is conceived as a service provider for "eco-fair" trade activist organisations and enterprises, for all consumers interested in sustainable consumption and for multipliers. The aim is to support fair trade by increasing the market share through stepping up sales of fairly traded products, and raising the efficiency and effectiveness of fair trade through a more coherent public presence. The range of fairly traded products will also be enlarged and marketing Europeanised.

Approach

First of all, standards for the certification of fairly traded products must be set. A company register will provide information on enterprises providing rice, cut flowers, fruit juice, fresh fruit and sports balls to the standards defined. Moreover, the label will be introduced onto the market and publicised. For this, a corporate concept will be developed, an internet platform set up (http://www.oeko-fair.de/) and sample articles and printed material prepared. 

Further information

• Link to project Internet pages:
  www.oeko-fair.de