The Association for Craft Producers (ACP) is a local, not for profit, fair trade organization providing design, marketing, management, and technical services to low-income Nepalese craft producers. ACP is a resource to advance and globally distribute their work, for which they receive fair wages and generous benefits. Together, we blend traditional craft with modern design and technology to suit market trends. For buyers' specific requests, we offer a flexible program that encourages creative collaboration. An item may be revised or recreated for a completely original product.
ACP is a certified Fair Trade Organization since 2003. Based on the 10 principles of Fair Trade prescribed by the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), ACP abides and upholds these in its daily and strategic work. In regular audits conducted by WFTO, ACP has proven throughout the years that it has implemented and upheld the principals. There are numerous programs ACP has created that benefit the producers and conserve the environment. For further detail please read under the section “Environment” and “Producers Benefits” how the principals are incorporated into ACP’s day to day working processes.
Nestled at the foot of the Himalayas, ACP takes careful and deliberate steps to preserve our environment. We have installed a waste water treatment plant and rainwater harvesting system, use recycled paper, and discourage the use of plastic bags. Soft wood is used for carpentry and we have shifted from oil to water based pigments for printing and substituted acetic acid with hydrochloric acid in dyeing. We are harnessing the steam released during cooling off of the boilers in the dyeing to heat water for felting and have made changeover from kerosene based firing to electric firing for ceramics.
