TransFair USA | New Product Research

New Product Research

Background for Jewelry Research

TransFair USA enables sustainable development and community empowerment by cultivating a more equitable global trade model that benefits farmers, workers, consumers, industry and the earth. We achieve our mission by certifying and promoting Fair Trade products. We seek to empower and enrich the lives of family farmers and workers around the world. Ours is a market-based approach to ending poverty, an alternative to dependency on aid. We believe farmers should get a fair price for their harvest, and workers deserve safe working conditions, a decent living wage and the right to organize. Through direct, equitable trade, farming and working families are able to eat better, keep their kids in school, improve health and housing, and invest in the future. Strong families, vibrant local economies, support for the natural environment, sustainable community development, and hope for the future - these are the results we seek through Fair Trade. Up until this point, we have only worked with agricultural supply chains in order to bring Fair Trade products to market and to deliver impact to farmers and workers.

We are very much interested and compelled to extend our certification to non-agricultural products. Our vision at TransFair USA includes delivering a Fair Trade model to any population that is disadvantaged as a result of supply chain inequities and disadvantageous terms of trade. We are thrilled and humbled that non-agricultural industries have recognized the success of Fair Trade in agriculture and have approached TransFair USA to explore if the rigor of Fair Trade Certification can be applied to their respective industry. The jewelry industry is one of those industries.

The jewelry industry is vast and complex: the industry uses a myriad of products that are sourced in many different ways and often travel through complex supply chains. There are two particular jewelry components that have received major scrutiny and public attention because of the sourcing practices: gold and diamonds. Issues these industries face include but are not limited to: sourcing zones in conflict, migratory workers, lack of transparent pricing, environmental degradation and health and safety issues.

Current Studies and Initiatives

Diamonds
TransFair USA is taking the lead on exploring the feasibility of a Fair Trade Certification for diamonds. We feel compelled to do research to see if Fair Trade can provide a mechanism to help the most disempowered and disenfranchised in the diamond supply chains through a more transparent and equitable system. We also seek to reward those companies that are taking a lead on socially and environmentally responsible sourcing in the industry by allowing them to participate in sourcing and certifying their supply chains. Our first step in this process is a feasibility study which will help us determine with the help of experts whether or not we can proceed with developing and piloting a standard and certification system for the entire industry. The Tiffany & Co. Foundation has graciously provided funding for this effort.

Gold
Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International (FLO) of which TransFair USA is a member is partnering with the Association of Responsible Mining (ARM), to study the feasibility of Fair Trade standards for gold. A feasibility study has been conducted, and the current stage of this project is the testing of a standard known as “Standard Zero” to determine whether a viable, credible and rigorous Fair Trade certification for artisan gold is possible. To review this standard, please visit ARM’s website.

Fair Trade Jewelry

Fair Trade certification for any product requires a clear feasibility study, a multi-stakeholder standards setting process, and a rigorous certification system that involves:

identifying viable sources and supply chains;
delivering impact to worker or farmer communities;
solving the social and environmental problems that have traditionally plagued the industry and its stakeholders;
creating long-term development opportunities and solutions to poverty in the sector;
a pricing mechanism to promote development and a more equitable model of trade; and
viable global markets for the products.

Fair Trade certification requires these components for all certified products. Our standard setting process is globally recognized, our certification process is world-class, and our labeling program is recognized and understood by millions of consumers. It is why so many manufacturers and retailers work to source and sell Fair Trade products and why consumers look for the label to guarantee the rigorous standards compliance and independent third party certification that only TransFair USA and other FLO members can provide. Our certification and label allow a consumer to purchase with confidence.

We seek to partner and collaborate with the jewelry industry to determine whether Fair Trade certification can deliver benefits and satisfaction from the mining to the U.S. market. For more information, please contact info@transfairusa.org.