Some Frequently Asked Questions about FairWild
1. What is FairWild
2. Why was FairWild created and what is its significance?
3. Who implements FairWild?
4. Can FairWild only be implemented through certification?
5. What is the major difference to other current organic or fair trade certification?
6. What is the merit of getting FairWild certified?
7. Does FairWild certification also apply to cultivated crops?
8. Can I get FairWild certification if I only want to implement one of the two modules of the Standard?
9. What are the costs of certification?
10. What certified products are already available from which countries?
11. Is there any limitation regarding countries, types of products etc.?
12. When is the next revision of the FairWild standard planned?
1. What is FairWild?
FairWild is a new verification system that has specifically been designed to offer a meaningful and comprehensive guidance framework and certification option for all sustainably collected wild plant, fungi and lichen species worldwide. FairWild consists of two distinct elements: one module focusing on ecological sustainability (based on the ISSC-MAP1) and one fair trade module covering social sustainability aspects.
2. Why was FairWild created and what is its significance?
The FairWild Standard has closed a gap that had not been covered by other standards and certification systems. Most FairTrade certification schemes focus on cultivated plants; organic and related certification systems, even if applicable to wild collected species, do not include many criteria that are important for wild collection situations, especially concerning ecological sustainability requirements as resource assessment and determination of a sustainable yield. Besides certification, the FairWild Standard can be applied in a variety of other scenarios, including resource assessment, the development of management plans and legislative frameworks (see also FAQ 4). Hence, it is the only standard that provides an exclusive tool for the establishment of sustainable wild collection, related certification and logo use for all relevant operations.
3. Who implements FairWild?
The FairWild Standard is implemented either by the FairWild Foundation and its partners (for all implementation forms other than certification – see question 4) or by independent certification bodies that have been accredited by the FairWild Foundation. At present, IMO is the only FairWild accredited certification body, but the FairWild Foundation aims to include other certification bodies that are sufficiently qualified and interested in offering FairWild certification as part of their operational profile. All interested certification bodies are welcome to contact the FairWild Foundation directly to learn more about the accreditation process.
4. Can FairWild only be implemented through certification?
No. The FairWild Standard can be implemented in several ways, for example:
a) Guidance for Resource Management. In many wild collection situations, certification is not relevant because there is no market for a certified product. Still, the provisions of the FairWild Standard and accompanying guidance documents e.g. on resource assessment and resource management are very valuable for such operations, for they can provide a set of key guidance documents for the development of sustainable resource management. This can be of interest for resource managers and producing or trade companies, NGOs and governments alike. Many of the pilot projects were focusing on this implementation option.
b) Laws and regulations. As a particularly interesting option for governments and NGOs, the Fair Wild Standard, either as a whole or in certain segments, can provide guidance for legislative processes or be referred to by relevant legislation as a voluntary or compulsory tool for the establishment of wild collection management plans and practices.
c) Private standards. The FairWild Standard can be used as a model or guidance by private sector companies or other groups to set up their own adapted wild collection guidance.
For all implementation options, the FairWild Foundation can provide expertise, consultancy and other support. For details and related costs please contact the FairWild Foundation.
5. What is the major difference to other current organic or fair trade certification?
FairWild and organic certification are fundamentally different. Organic certification is based on the principles of organic agriculture (e.g. organic fertilization; absence of chemical fertilization, pesticides, herbicides and other prohibited inputs), while FairWild focuses on the ecological and social sustainability of wild collected plants in a wider sense. Organic certification can also be applied to wild collection operations but it is predominantly used for cultivation operations. Other FairTrade schemes such as FLO Certified, IMO Social and FairTrade (Fair for Life), EcoCert FairTrade and others share virtually the same social principles as FairWild. The major difference is that FairWild focuses on wild collection, while most other FairTrade schemes have been designed for the certification of agriculture and products derived from it.
6. What is the merit of getting FairWild certified?
FairWild Certification enables companies to show and communicate to the end consumers that their products are sourced and produced in a socially and ecologically sound way. Benefits are felt by all those involved right down to the local communities harvesting the wild plants.
7. Does FairWild certification also apply to cultivated crops?
No. FairWild has specifically been designed for wild collection situations. However, this also includes the collection of plants, lichens or fungi or parts or products thereof on cultivated land if the target species for collection are only a by-product and not the target of cultivation. Likewise, the FairWild Standard can be applied to wild collection operations that work with enrichment planting or similar tools in natural habitats.
8. Can I get FairWild certification if I only want to implement one of the two modules of the Standard?
No. If an operation wants to obtain FairWild certification, both modules (fair trade and ecological) must be complied with. For companies that have already been certified according to the old FairWild standard (before the merger with ISSC-MAP) a transition period applies. For further details please contact the FairWild Foundation.
9. What are the costs of certification?
Cost calculations are made individually. They depend on the location, size and complexity of operations and include audit, evaluation, certification and office costs. Time needed to achieve compliance with FairWild requirements also depends on the status and organization of the project. Licence fees for the use of the FairWild logo are an additional cost factor. For further details about costs and the licence fee system, please consult the ‘Guidance for Industry: Frequently asked questions on costs, fees, funds and pricing’ document on this website.
10. What certified products are already available from which countries?
Current FairWild certified products are only certified according to the old FairWild Standard. First products that are certified according to both FairWild modules will be on the market in 2010. Hitherto, certified products are mostly herbal teas and related herbs, as well as mushrooms. Details on producers and products are partly confidential. Wholesale distribution companies as well as finished product companies currently offering FairWild certified ingredients or products are listed on the website and can be contacted for further details.
11. Is there any limitation regarding countries, types of products etc.?
There is no limitation with regard to countries. As for products, FairWild is applicable to all plants (except for timber products), lichens and fungi. Animals and animal products have so far not been included but if companies are interested in such products, they are advised to contact the FairWild Foundation directly. If the FairWild Foundation gets more of such requests, opening the scheme for animal products may be considered in the future.
12. When is the next revision of the FairWild standard planned?
The FairWild Standard will be reviewed on a regular basis based on the experiences made in the field. Open consultations will be announced on the FairWild Website.