A Bold Experiment in Ethical Clothing: Fair Trade Certified Apparel & Linens Pilot Lessons Learned 2010-2012
The Fair Trade USA (FTUSA) Pilot Program for Fair Trade Certified Apparel is the first global program to certify facilities making clothing, accessories, and linens with a consumer label to signal social and environmental sustainability. It is also the first time that a Fair Trade program is attempting to deliver direct economic benefit in the form of a Fair Trade Premium at two different levels of the supply chain – to cotton farmers and to cut-and-sew workers. Launched in fall 2010 after an extensive feasibility study and stakeholder consultation, the pilot project has run through the fall 2012. This report outlines findings to date and paths forward based on learning from the program during the pilot phase.