Fair Trade is QIMA’s program applicable to agricultural and natural products in general. The certification applies to companies, farms, and producer groups operating in agriculture, livestock, processing, and cosmetics, with the goal of triggering an internal process of human, social, and environmental development fostered by trade relations based on Fair Trade principles.
After an initial diagnostic that outlines the organization’s socio-environmental context, a management committee is established with the participation of the stakeholders involved in the enterprise. This committee identifies and prioritizes the main environmental and social issues that negatively impact that context. Based on these identified issues, Action Plans are developed to promote continuous improvements in the organization’s socio-environmental performance, covering areas such as Living and Working Conditions, Environmental Conservation, and Environmental Restoration.
What is QIMA’s role in the Fair Trade market?
Since 2004, with the purpose of contributing concretely to overcoming the current socio-environmental challenges, QIMA created Fair Trade as a Socio-Environmental and Fair Trade Certification System. Through this system, a wide range of enterprises across multiple countries have been encouraged to implement internationally recognized principles, objectives, and sustainability targets.
Fair Trade was created in response to the recognition that the planet’s current social and environmental context requires more targeted certification tools to assess socio-environmental issues within companies, farms, and producer groups. These tools complement those already established in Organic Certification Protocols.
As the Fair Trade market evolved and the need arose to align the Fair Trade seal’s image with market expectations, QIMA gradually transformed its visual identity over the years. In its latest phase, the company chose to present the seal using only the words “Fair Trade.”
In this way, QIMA adapts and positions itself in the market, providing clients with support throughout all stages of the process—from requirements and audits to the analysis, maintenance, and monitoring of documents and activities. QIMA not only verifies the correct use and display of certificates and conformity marks from the accreditation body on product labels, but also on communication materials such as websites, advertisements, flyers, brochures, business cards, and other informational media.
What are the criteria to obtain Fair Trade certification?
Certified enterprises are audited based on the following criteria:
Critical:
related to international conventions and agreements
Minimum:
related to national legislation
Progress:
related to the promotion of local development
In addition to those already required by national laws.
Holding Fair Trade certification means fostering local socio-environmental development and practicing Fair Trade. The certification is based on monitoring each step of the supply chain. During the pre-certification audit, experts assess policies and operational processes to establish compliance with the seal’s principles and criteria:
Compliance with local and international laws and regulations
Proven commitment to long-term economic and financial viability
Use of best agricultural practices by producers and mills
Environmental responsibility, including the preservation of natural resources and biodiversity
Responsible consideration for employees and communities affected by cultivation or production
Responsible management of new plantations
Commitment to continuous improvement
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Why Fair Trade certification?
By certifying operations according to Fair Trade standard requirements, producers, processors, traders, manufacturers, retailers, investors, and organizations gain a competitive advantage by providing consumers with evidence of their understanding, acceptance, and compliance with sustainable production and supply factors.
The benefits of holding Fair Trade certification are based on Fair Trade principles:
Creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers
Transparency, democratic governance, and cost reduction
Capacity building
Fair and long-term trading relationships with producers
Fair pricing
Gender equality
Decent working conditions and protection of human and labor rights
Combating child labor
Environmental protection
Additionally, QIMA holds ISO 65 certification, adopting internationally standardized practices that ensure quality throughout the entire certification process. As a product and process certification body, QIMA operates with a strong commitment to society and the environment. QIMA promotes organic agro-industrial production and pursues desirable standards of economic, environmental, human, and social sustainability.
Why choose QIMA for Fair Trade certification?
Efficient communication and customer service
Agile and responsive technical support at all stages
Transparent certification process and deadline compliance
Proven service quality, with an NPS satisfaction score of 72
Cost and time optimization
Integrated audits that reduce the number of visits and associated costs
Simplified processes that minimize operational impact
Strategic and efficient auditor allocation
Industry leadership
Pioneer company with over 30 years of experience in food safety, organic certification, and sustainability
Complete certification ecosystem, from farm to table
Advanced technology for compliance monitoring