USA: Coalition against "Fair Wash"

The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) is coordinating a new campaign to oppose the name change of the fair trade certifier TransFair USA to "Fair Trade USA". TransFair has applied for the new name to be trademarked, along with the term "Fair Trade Certified". TransFair's name change is an attempt to legally claim, as an exclusive brand, a term that encompasses a broad movement that extends far beyond the work of TransFair, according to OCA. "For more than sixty years, hundreds of organizations allied with conscious consumers across the United States and the world have actively supported a different approach to trade based on dialogue, transparency and respect, in order to create greater equity in the international economic system. That approach is called Fair Trade," says OCA Executive Director Ronnie Cummins.

Consumers and organizations dedicated to building equitable markets for disadvantaged farmers and artisans through Fair Trade, believe that the term should be celebrated as a movement, not a brand claimed by any one organization. To help celebrate Fair Trade as a movement of many parts, OCA is asking consumers, stores, companies and organizations to sign a petition to urge TransFair to keep the name they have established. Leading fair trade organizations and companies have already signed their names. The petition can be found here 
 

FTC Complaint to Stop TransFair's "FairWash" of Personal Care OCA has also joined forces with Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps to request the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) launch an investigation of deceptive practices in advertising and labeling of certain "Fair Trade Certified" personal care products. OCA and Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps are asking that the FTC prevent TransFair from continuing to allow brands such as Hain's Queen Helene and Avon's Mark to use as little as 2 % certified fair trade ingredients in products while carrying identical Fair Trade Certified marks as products made up mostly or entirely of certified fair trade content. The complaint and supporting exhibits may be viewed here

OCA