Fair products
When we offer fair products, it means that we advocate fair trade. The official definition of Fair Trade is:
"Fair trade is a trading partnership based on dialogue, transparency and respect that seeks greater equity in international trade. By improving trading conditions and securing social rights for disadvantaged producers and workers - especially in the countries of the South - Fair Trade contributes to sustainable development."
This resulted in the following principles for Fair Trade:
• Creates market access
• Relies on long-term, fair and partnership-based trade relations
• Fair prices for producers
• Safeguards the rights of workers and small farmers and strengthens their position
• Safeguards children's rights and promotes equal rights for women
• Promotes environmental protection, e.g. through conversion to organic farming
• Carries out educational and political campaign work to make the rules of world trade fairer
How does the Studierendenwerk support Fair Trade?
We see fair trade as another aspect of our sustainable business. For example, we source coffee in the bistros and café bars exclusively from fair trade and in organic quality. In addition, some of our confectionery, such as chocolate, and our soft drinks, Chairy Tea and Lemonaid, are Fairtrade certified. We regularly check which Mensa products we can still include in our fair trade range.
How do I recognise a fair trade product?
Imported products, especially from developing countries (for example coffee, tea, cocoa, bananas, nuts, cane sugar), are labelled with a seal of quality if they meet the strict requirements for a fair product. The largest certification organisation is the international umbrella organisation Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO). Its seal of quality for fair trade is the internationally standardised Fair Trade label. Transfair is another national labelling initiative. Corresponding counterparts also exist in Switzerland and Austria.
