The FairWild Standard – A fair and sustainable deal for wild-collected ingredients throughout the supply chain

Abstract

The increasing demand for natural products in the sectors of food, cosmetics, wellness and medicinal ingredients poses major ecological and social challenges. The high pressure on potentially vulnerable plants can endanger local ecosystems and livelihoods of collectors who often belong to the poorest social groups in the countries of origin. In order to deal with these challenges, a standard and certification system for sustainable wild-collection of plants was developed by different stakeholders and interest groups, leading to the establishment of the FairWild Foundation in 2008. The Foundation is responsible for the maintenance and implementation of the FairWild standard that consists of sound ecological as well as social and fair-trade principles and criteria. FairWild Foundation aims to provide a worldwide framework for implementing a sustainable, fair and value-added management and trading system for wild-collected natural ingredients and products thereof. FairWild Foundation informs, advises and assists customers with projects in sustainable wild-collection and implementation of the standard. In addition, FairWild Foundation advises on the inclusion of sustainable and fair management principles in conservation strategies, trade policy and other regulations. While encouraging sustainable and fair business practices, the FairWild Standard also focuses on influencing consumer choice. The FairWild Standard is based on existing traditional knowledge and appropriate resource management, as well as on Fair Trade principles and ILO Standards. The Standard is geared to a worldwide approach.