Fairtrade cosmetics are gaining a strong foothold in India. The global umbrella body for fairtrade, Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO), issues fairtrade certification to companies trading in fairtrade products, which allows even local cosmetics companies to obtain ‘fairtrade’ certifications for their products. Fairtrade guarantees minimum price to farmers, encourages sustainable practices and invests in social projects such as securing the rights of marginalised producers and workers. In India, expats and globe-trotting professionals currently drive the demand. As per FLO estimates, consumers spent 3.4 billion euros on fairtrade products in 2009, a 15 percent increase over the previous year. UK’s handmade cosmetics company Lush sells Fair Trade foot lotion in India, which uses fairtrade cocoa butter from The National Confederation of Dominican Cocoa Producers (CONACADO) in the Dominican Republic. “Just like consumers’ buying habits have changed over the decades, so has the consciousness. We have seen an increase in demand for ethical cosmetics, apparel, and coffee. However, pricing for such products remain a challenge,” says Sangeeta Kamath, Managing Director, Lush, India.
Source: www.timesofindia.com
