You are no doubt  familiar with the Fair for Life programme put forward  by the ECOCERT inspection and certification body.  Since February 2017, this programme has been divided into two distinct certification labels. The first one, known as the Fair for Life label, is dedicated to fair trade products. The second  For Life label brand targets corporate social responsibility. Let’s have a look at this CSR certification label!

What are For Life label criteria?

The For Life certification, or FL label, is based on all aspects of corporate social responsibility and covers both commitments to the environment and social issues.

This is demonstrated by the following For Life programme criteria:

• the setting up  of a CSR policy with responsible practices applied to each level of operation;
• social commitment in due respect to existing legislation, while ensuring decent working conditions, and continuously improving the well-being of workers;
• environmental responsibility based on implementing methods focused on reducing the impact on the environment, biodiversity and climate;
• local impact while creating jobs and territorial anchoring;
• ethical sourcing by developing sustainable partnerships based on dialogue, equity and respect while carrying out support actions directed towards the most disadvantaged producers;
• consumer respect by providing healthy products with a transparent traceability system.

 Why opt for fair trade in the development of nutraceutical products?

Natural Origins, an example of a For Life certified company

The For life label can be granted to companies and organisations from various sectors, but is  mainly awarded to  companies involved in the manufacturing, the processing and the trading of natural products and ingredients.

As you can see on its labelling certificate, Natural Origins has obtained the highest degree of For Life certification with 5 leaves. This recognition commends the CSR approach undertaken by Natural Origins since its creation.

Here are a few examples of in-the-field actions carried out over the past few years:

• pre-financing of harvests granted by Natural Origins to its suppliers to help cover  the inherent costs of their activity;
• a financial contribution for the building of a children’s day care centre in Namibia to allow men and women to work serenely;
• purchasing new equipment to limit dust emissions into the atmosphere;
• the training and empowerment of workers to make them self-reliant and aware of the challenges of their activity;
• the creation of local and sustainable jobs at the Natural Origins headquarters;
• the sponsorship of bee hives in the Beaujolais region in order to contribute to the biodiversity of honey bees;
• etc.

If you want to see more examples, Natural Origins invites you to discover harpagophytum fair trade chain with its Namibian partner Ecoso or to download our presentation.

Source : Fair for Life and For Life programme Committee, For Life : Certification Standard for social responsibility, February 2017.