The criteria of fair trade outlined here strive long-term for true partnership between all trading partners. They should guarantee ecologically, socially and economically sustainable development for all partners. The criteria apply to gebana's relationship with its producers and processing companies in the producing countries. Expansion of these criteria to include other players in the trade chain will follow at a later stage. The criteria recorded here have developed over time and correspond to currently practicable conditions. The effects of these criteria will be reviewed regularly with regard to the general aims of fair trade and will be further developed accordingly.
Trade Relations
gebana's fair trade strives toward long-term, stable relationships with its trade partners, in particular with its producers.
gebana works with associations of small producers (e.g. cooperatives), with family-run businesses and directly with producers, marketing associations, private exporters, organisations promoting export and small to medium sized businesses (plants, plantations, processing companies etc) in economically marginal regions all over the world.
gebana endeavours to include all trade partners (producers and employees) in establishing trade relations.
Objectives: Products should be bought directly from producers and their associations wherever possible in order to allow a direct market access.
Working Conditions
gebana requires itself and its partner companies with employees (in plants, on plantations etc.) to fulfill the minimum social and health requirements according to national law and ILO conventions, to pay living wages, to keep working hours to an acceptable level and to provide suitable and safe working conditions.
gebana safeguards freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining and equal pay and the elimination of forced labour and child labour.
gebana supports company efforts to ensure a safe working environment (protective clothing, good lighting and ventilation, etc.) and protection from other influences that may be harmful to health.
Objectives: Equal pay for men and women and equality irrespective of race, ethnic origin, gender or religion.
Compliance with minimum social requirements at company level should improve the status of employees in the countries of origin and set a positive example for commercial trade.
Prices
As a fair trade organisation gebana ag pays prices that cover costs and provide a living wage, i.e. prices above the local minimum guaranteeing producers a living.
Decisions on how to use profits (gained through premiums/additional payments) from fair trade will be left to the producers themselves.
On request, prefinancing or cheap loans are granted proportionately.
Transparent price policies are carried out.
Objectives: To safeguard livelihoods and uphold a life in dignity.
Products
As a fair trade organisation, gebana offers marketable, high quality goods which are produced with concern for social conditions and the environment; product quality meets market standards in the consuming countries. Working toward these standards provides producers with the market and business knowledge necessary for growth.
Where agricultural produce is concerned environmentally friendly (organic, GMO free) mixed cultivation is preferable.
Subsistence farming must not be put at risk and marketing of produce within the regions should be ensured.
Objectives: Quality improvement and development of new products and production methods in order to increase their marketability.
A gradual transition to ecological production methods, cultivation and processing according to the standards of approved certification and environmental organisations.
Transparency and Public Relations
As a fair trade organisation gebana cultivates a policy of open information about producers, suppliers, origin of products, production, management, marketing, finances and the results of quality control checks.
Information is effectively directed and awareness is raised in order to further fair trade and its aims.
Objectives: To guarantee the credibility of fair trade and to cultivate the competence and professionalism of its participants.
Monitoring and Control
As a fair trade organisation gebana ag establishes internal and/or external independent bodies that oversee every step from the development process to compliance with the criteria and regularly evaluate these in cooperation with staff, representatives, the NGO and/or the unions.
Compliance with gebana's criteria is regularly monitored by external and independent controlling bodies.
Objectives: Regular monitoring and control contribute to a gradual improvement of production methods and products. Controls should not impede market access for smaller production partners and they are therefore supported accordingly.
With regard to monitoring and control, we respect the status of employees and a complaints procedure has been put in place through which staff have the opportunity to voice their concerns.
