Glossary

If you feel that the world of Fair Trade has its very own language – don’t fret! We’ll keep you in the know!

With this glossary we’ll guide you through the common technical terms used by FLOCERT, Fairtrade International and the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO).

Learn about the wor(l)ds of Fair Trade below!

Navigate the glossary by letter

FLO ID
A unique identification number assigned by FLOCERT to all Fairtrade organisations. A FLO ID’s existence does not necessarily imply that an …
FLOCERT
The independent Fairtrade Certification body, offering Fairtrade Certification services to customers in more than 120 countries. FLOCERT GmbH, a …
FLOCERT Supervisory Board
The FLOCERT Supervisory Board oversees and appoints the members of the company’s Management Board. It also approves major business decisions …
Focused Audit
A FLOCERT Focused Audit may take place in between two Renewal Audits – or an Initial and a Renewal Audit – in order to follow up on …
Follow-Up Audit
A FLOCERT Follow-Up Audit is the result of an Evaluation or Certification Decision. The goal of a Follow-Up Audit is to follow up on all …
Food Composite Ingredient
A semi-finished product (e.g. chocolate chips) composed of more than one ingredient (e.g. cocoa, cane sugar).
Food Composite Product
A consumer-ready product (e.g. chocolate) composed of more than one ingredient (e.g. cocoa, cane sugar).
Force majeure
An overpowering force and/or event characterised as external, unpredictable and unavoidable. The term is frequently used in contracts; in general it …
Forced labour
Work or services undertaken by a person under duress or threat, in circumstances where the person has not offered him/herself voluntarily.
Free on board (FOB)
The seller delivers their part of the contract when the goods pass the ship’s rail at the named port of shipment. This means the buyer must bear …
Freedom of Association
The right of all workers to join or form an organisation of their own choosing without prior authorisation from their employer or public authorities.
Funding partner
A partner who, as a general rule, commits financial resources to a project/programme for a specific period of time.