The Fairtrade standards seek to support the development of disadvantaged and marginalised small-scale farmers and plantation workers. There are standards for both producers and traders. The key aims of the standards are to:
- Ensure a guaranteed Fairtrade minimum price which is agreed with producers
- Provide an additional Fairtrade premium which can be invested in projects that enhance social, economic and environmental development
- Enable pre-financing for producers who require it
- Emphasise the idea of partnership between trade partners
Fairtrade standards for producers relate to three areas of sustainable development: social development, economic development and environmental development.
Social development
For small producer set ups:
- Small producer organisations must have a democratic structure and transparent administration to enable effective control by its members
- The organisation should also have the potential to promote the social and economic development of its members
- There must be no discrimination against members on the basis of race, religion, gender, politics, and ethnic or social origin.
For hired labour set ups:
Companies should recognise and support Fairtrade as a means to increase the empowerment and well-being of their workers.  They protect workers’ basic rights as defined in the conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) relating to:
- Freedom from discrimination (on the grounds of race, religion, gender, politics, and ethnic or social origin)
- Freedom of association (the right to join a trade union) and collective bargaining
- Fair conditions of employment (wages, working hours, overtime, sick pay, leave etc)
- No forced or child labour (minimum age of 15 years)
- Occupational health and safety (a safe working environment).
Economic development
For all products, Fairtrade standards require the buyers to pay a Fairtrade minimum price and/or a Fairtrade premium to the producers.
- The Fairtrade minimum price aims to help producers cover the costs of production
- The Fairtrade premium is money for the producers or for the workers on a plantation to invest in improving the quality of their lives. Premium money in this sense is meant to improve the situation of workers, farmers and local communities in health, education, environment, economy etc. The farmers or workers decide the most important priorities for themselves and manage the use of the Fairtrade premium
- Also, Fairtrade standards require buyers to give a financial advance on contracts, called pre-financing, if producers ask for it. This is to help producers to have access to capital and so overcome what can be one of the biggest obstacles to their development. This promotes entrepreneurship and can assist the economic development of entire rural communities.
Environmental development
The environmental development criteria are intended to ensure that the producer organisation and its members protect the natural environment and make environmental protection an integral part of farm management. There are clear rules to protect farmers and workers relating to the use of chemicals, disposal of waste, and protection of natural resources. The standard also prohibits the use of genetically modified organisms. Where socially and economically practical, producer organisations are encouraged to work towards organic practices. They are also expected to minimise the use of chemical fertilisers and insecticides and to gradually replace them with natural fertilisers and biological methods of disease control.