Am I allowed to promote and sell Fairtrade products without having a Fairtrade Gold License?
For sure, you are definitely allowed!
You are not only fully permitted, it´s more than that, we consider it crucial to purchase and use Fairtrade gold for every goldsmith or jeweler. So, even if you don’t possess an official Fairtrade brand license, you can opt for Fairtrade gold and thereby support fair wages, safer working conditions, and more environmentally conscious practices in artisanal mining. With every purchase you contribute to sustainability and ethical sourcing. Without an official license, you can still incorporate these principles into your business, raising awareness and promoting the mission of Fairtrade.
If you decide to use Fairtrade gold without a license, you have two options:
1. You can become a Registered Fairtrade Goldsmith.
To do so, you must register once a year with Fairtrade (for some countries, an annual fee may apply) as a Registered Fairtrade Goldsmith. Once you have been approved, you may use Fairtrade advertising material to promote jewelry containing Fairtrade gold and precious metals. Only goldsmiths who purchase no more than the following quantities of Fairtrade gold and precious metals per calendar year may register with this approval program:
- 500 g Fairtrade fine gold
- 500 g Fairtrade platinum
- 2 kg Fairtrade silver
This is an easy way to gain initial experience with Fairtrade gold with smaller quantities or as a newcomer with low or no financial or administrative effort. Here you will find all the information about the Fairtrade goldsmith registration scheme.
2. You can sell products with Fairtrade Gold without any formal connection to Fairtrade.
By using Fairtrade gold without registration or license, you have to make sure to absolutely comply with the Fairtrade licensing guidelines. Please pay attention to not claim any formal connection or certification with the Fairtrade organization. Still, we highly recommend to stress the positive impact you and your customers create by sourcing ethical and sustainable gold. In the following we provide a list for possible claims you can use to promote your products.
You may use the following wording:
1. It´s all about People!
- If you don´t refer to Fairtrade, you can still draw your customers` attention on the people behind your customer´s piece of gold:
- “Empowering small-scale mining communities.”
- “Supporting artisanal miners with responsible sourcing practices.”
2. It´s taking on Responsibility!
- You can state that your gold was sourced responsibly or ethically, as long as you don’t imply an official Fairtrade certification. For example:
- “Sourced from responsible small-scale mining.”
- “Ethically sourced gold from artisanal miners.”
3. It´s more than Purchase, it´s Impact!
- You can discuss the positive social and environmental impact your customer has by choosing the better alternative. For example:
- “Supports fair wages and safe working conditions for small-scale miners.”
- “Our sourcing practices support improved environmental management.”
4. It´s a lasting Investment!
- Stress that mining communities benefit in various ways if they exchange their traditional sourcing methods by sustainable practices:
- “Promotes sustainable small-scale mining practices.”
- “Committed to responsible mining that minimizes environmental impact.”
5. It´s transparent and traceable!
- Probably you will learn a lot about the concrete sources, mines and the whole supply chain of your sourcing. Involve your customer by letting them know:
- “Transparent gold sourcing, supporting ethical mining communities.”
- “Traceable gold supply chain from artisanal mining sources.”
Remember the Don´ts:
- The Fairtrade Name or Logo: Don’t use the “Fairtrade” term or logo anywhere in your marketing materials, as this implies certification.
- Certification or Direct Claims: Circumvent language that links your products to Fairtrade. Don´t use terms like “certified,” “licensed,” or “officially verified” unless you are a Fairtrade licensed brand.
If you stick to these guidelines, you can effectively inform and inspire your customers by highlighting the ethical and environmental benefits of choosing your jewelry without violating the Fairtrade regulations.
For reference, also screen our article about the Fairtrade Standard.
