Is it actually allowed to promote and sell products without having a Fairmined Gold License?
The answer is simple: Yes, it is!
It’s completely allowed — and important (!) — to buy and use Fairmined gold, even if you as goldsmith or jeweler don’t have an official Fairmined brand license. By choosing Fairmined gold, you’re directly supporting fair wages, safer working conditions, and more environmentally responsible practices in artisanal mining — making a real impact on sustainability and ethical sourcing. Even without an official license you can showcase these values in your products, helping to raise awareness and support the growth of Fairmined.
If you’re using Fairmined gold but aren’t a licensed Fairmined brand, it’s crucial to avoid implying any formal affiliation or certification with the Fairmined organization, as that would violate their licensing policies. However, you can still highlight the ethical and sustainable aspects of your gold sourcing in a general way. Here’s a breakdown of compliant claims.
You may use the following wording:
1. General claims regarding Ethical Sourcing
- You can state that your gold was sourced responsibly or ethically, as long as you don’t imply an official Fairmined certification. For example:
- “Sourced from responsible small-scale mining.”
- “Ethically sourced gold from artisanal miners.”
2. Environmental and Social Impact
- You can discuss the positive impacts on the mining communities without linking it directly to Fairmined. For example:
- “Supports fair wages and safe working conditions for small-scale miners.”
- “Our sourcing practices support improved environmental management.”
3. Sustainability Initiatives
- You can mention sustainable practices or initiatives in a general way:
- “Promotes sustainable small-scale mining practices.”
- “Committed to responsible mining that minimizes environmental impact.”
4. Transparency and Traceability
- If you know your supply chain well, you can mention the transparency of your sourcing:
- “Transparent gold sourcing, supporting ethical mining communities.”
- “Traceable gold supply chain from artisanal mining sources.”
5. Focus on Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners
- Without mentioning Fairmined, you can focus on supporting small-scale miners:
- “Empowering small-scale mining communities.”
- “Supporting artisanal miners with responsible sourcing practices.”
What to Avoid:
- The Fairmined Name or Logo: Don’t use the “Fairmined” term or logo anywhere in your marketing materials, as this implies certification.
- Certification or Direct Claims: Avoid language that implies that your product is certified or licensed by Fairmined. Terms like “certified,” “licensed,” or “officially verified” should be avoided unless you are a Fairmined licensed brand.
Using these types of claims and avoiding the other, you can effectively communicate the ethical and sustainable value of your product without infringing on Fairmined’s licensing rules.
And here´s the blog post with general information regarding the Fairmined Standard.
