Dr. Bronner’s Accepted Into the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO)
Top-Selling Natural Soap Brand Furthers Commitment to Promoting Authentic Fair Trade
March 1, 2013
Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, family-owned maker of the top-selling natural brand of soap in North America and Australia, has been accepted as a member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO). WFTO is the global representative body of over 450 Fair Trade members. Unlike many companies that have some products with some ingredients certified under Fair Trade USA or the Fair Labeling Organization (FLO), WFTO members are dedicated to Fair Trade principles throughout all their major supply chains, ingredients, and product portfolio.
“The World Fair Trade Organization is the authentic voice of Fair Trade and a guardian of Fair Trade values,” explains David Bronner, President of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps. “As a fully committed Fair Trade brand, we are excited to partner with the World Fair Trade Organization to promote commodity production and business models based entirely on authentic Fair Trade.”
The WFTO operates in 75 countries across 5 regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America and the Pacific Rim, with elected global and regional boards. WFTO works to create market access for marginalized farmers and artisans in the developing world through advocacy, campaigning, marketing and monitoring. WFTO members are organizations differentiated by their complete commitment to sustainable economic development through trade on fair terms.
Dr. Bronner’s sources all its major raw materials from Fair Trade projects around the world that ensure a fair price, living wage, and community benefits for farmers, workers, and their families. To date, the company has directly built, or partnered with, Fair Trade projects in Sri Lanka, Ghana, India, Kenya, Mexico, Ecuador, Palestine, Israel, and Zambia, for Fair Trade organic coconut, palm, tea tree, avocado, jojoba and mint oils, as well as fair trade ethanol and beeswax. Dr. Bronner’s builds long-term direct relationships with the producers of the raw materials for their soaps and other personal care products. Some 3,600 farmers and workers around the world benefit directly from participating in Dr. Bronner’s supply chains, as do their families and communities. In addition, Fair Trade premiums paid by Dr. Bronner’s have helped the communities of farmers and workers to build schools and freshwater wells; set up composting operations that improve farmers’ yields and incomes; and support health care initiatives through sponsoring health clinics and purchasing medical equipment for local hospitals.
Notes to editor
Dr. Bronner’s products are available at health, natural product and organic stores nationally. Stockist number: 03 9572 3311 or visitwww.drbronner.com.au , for further info on the WFTO visit www.wfto.com
For further information on Dr. Bronner’s, product samples or to schedule an interview with David Bronner, please contact Belinda Andrade at PR Chicks 0425 252 822 or email [email protected]