Fairtrade Labelling was created in the Netherlands in the late 1980s. Max Havelaar launched the first Fairtrade consumer guarantee label in 1986 on coffee sourced from Mexico.
Today there are 19 national Fairtrade initiatives worldwide that run the international standard setting and monitoring body Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO).
Producers registered with FLO receive a minimum price that covers the cost of production and an extra premium that is invested in the local community.
This international body incorporates various stakeholders including elected producer and commercial representatives. It sets standards and ensures regular auditing of producer and commercial partners.
The marketing and promotion of Fairtrade products remain the responsibility of the individual national initiatives.
In September 2004 there are 422 Fairtrade certified producer groups (including many umbrella bodies) in 49 producer countries selling to hundreds of Fairtrade registered importers, licensees and retailers in 19 countries.
