Close up: The latest progress made in the EU brought down procurement barriers to Fairtrade
The Fairtrade working group successfully brought about changes to European procurement laws that will make it easier for public authorities to choose Fairtrade produce.
In the past, complex rules and legal challenges have hampered some public authorities from opting for a Fairtrade purchasing policy in their contracts. These changes will mean that local authorities and public bodies can specify Fairtrade produce in their tenders, and automatically rule out those who fail to offer Fairtrade products. The changes go so far as to demand compliance with environmental, social and labour obligations, meaning that potential suppliers can be excluded if they fail to comply with sustainability standards or are found to be treating workers unfairly.
