FLO-CERT GmbH is an independent International Certification Company offering Fairtrade Certification services to clients in more than 70 countries. As such a company they assist in the socio-economic Development of producers in the Global South and help to foster long-term relationships and good practice with traders of Certified Fairtrade products. Their Certification provides a guarantee to consumers of Certified Fairtrade products that they are contributing to the Social-Economic Development of people through their purchases.
FLOCERT is dedicated to strengthening the development of fair international trade. They were founded in 2003 to independently certify Fairtrade products – for more than a decade they have supported the phenomenal growth of Fairtrade, a movement that’s had a positive impact on millions of people across the world.
While Fairtrade certification is still one of their key roles, they also use their expertise and experience at FLOCERT to develop new and innovative ways to promote fairer trade. They have recently introduced more verification services beyond the Fairtrade standards to help traders assess practices across their supply chains.
From assuring fair working conditions and certifying sustainable agriculture, to assessing the impact of company practices – FLOCERT helps businesses take the steps they need to be part of a fair future.
Their accreditation as a Social Enterprise demonstrates their commitment to social business values.
Their vision is fair global trade everyone can believe in.
They will be the most respected provider of certification and verification services for global supply chains, to create a world in which all producers can enjoy secure, sustainable livelihoods, fulfill their potential, and decide on their future.
Their mission is to:
The Fairtrade system offers an alternative to conventional trade. By guaranteeing a minimum price and a premium payment, which producers invest into their businesses and communities, Fairtrade gives people in developing countries the opportunity to improve their lives and plan for their future.
FLOCERT’s role is to uphold this system’s credibility by independently ensuring that Fairtrade Standards are met and maintained.
Back in 1997, the various fair trade movements around Europe and North America came together to form one unifying umbrella organization, Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International, e.V. (Fairtrade International, formerly known as FLO). The new body set about harmonizing global standards and certification for fairly traded products.
After a few years a decision was made to separate the standard-setting side of the organization from the assessment and verification process – to ensure the independence, quality and credibility of the Fairtrade certification system.
And so in November 2003, FLOCERT (or FLO-CERT GmbH) was created as an independently governed subsidiary of Fairtrade International, who is its sole shareholder. Headed by Rüdiger Meyer, they began as a small team of innovators, developing a professional and reliable certification system for Fairtrade.
Initially they focused on their auditing and certification processes, building up a global network of auditors. Within four years FLOCERT had opened offices in Costa Rica, India and South Africa, and the number of employees grew to around 50.
In 2007, FLOCERT became the first social certification body in the world to obtain an ISO 65 accreditation for their Fairtrade certification services. In 2015, FLOCERT received accreditation against ISO 17065. While ISO 17065 keeps the proven parts of the ISO 65 norm, it puts special emphasis on the impartiality of processes. This covers their certification activities in all their regional offices.
They would always regarded themselves as a “social business” – not focussed on making profits, but aiming at covering their cost and providing the resources needed to continuously improve the services and systems for the benefit of their customers. Since 2015, their accreditation as “Social Enterprise” demonstrates this committment to social business values.
FLOCERT now has around 100 employees, more than 100 auditors, and over 3,800 customers across the world, ranging from small producers in developing nations to large global retailers. They are currently operating in more than 120 countries.
