Press Release: Commission adopts communication on Fair Trade

The European Commission adopted a communication on the role of Fair Trade and non-governmental trade-related sustainability assurance schemes on 5 May, 2009. The communication recognises the significant development of the Fair Trade movement and the significance of a European market now worth EUR 1.5 billion per year. The communication also lays out new policy areas where Fair Trade and other schemes can contribute to European sustainable development objectives. It also sets out main principles and definitions and the fundamentals for public procurement of sustainable goods and services.