JUDES Principles to Assess Products & Business

The ethical production and purchase of goods is essential to creating an equitable, just and healthy planet. Fair Trade has become an extremely valuable means to certify ethical standards for some items purchased in Southern countries. JUDES believes that there is a similar need for ethical standards for all items, whether they are produced in the North or the South. We propose these principles as a set of values that consumers can use to judge a business, its practices and its products. These principles are not specific standards, but guideposts to help ask important questions and make ethical decisions.

• Transparency:
  Information is readily available in an accurate, clear and accessible form about how and where products are produced, how the business operates and who profits. Education is promoted through information sharing.
• Commitment to Human Rights and Non-Violence:
  The organization respects the human and labour rights of all of its workers and stakeholders and assures that its practices contribute to safe social and physical environments and communities. Humane treatment of animals is assured.
• Fair Payment:
  The organization provides fair payment to all workers and producers so that they can live with dignity in an economically sustainable manner.
• Empowerment:
  Workers and producers have a voice and participate in decisions that relate to the structure and nature of their work, helping them to gain more control over their economic and social lives. Efforts are made to pro-actively support groups that have been systematically discriminated against over time.
• Community Enhancement:
  The business demonstrates a commitment to the enhancement of local communities in which it operates though contributing financial, material or human resources. Cultural diversity is respected and celebrated.
• Direct Trade:
  The distance between the producer and the consumer is minimized, either through buying locally or minimizing middlemen when products come from other parts of the world. This provides for a greater return for producers and workers and a greater sense of accountability and relationship between producers and consumers.
• Environmental Responsibility:
  The business demonstrates environmentally responsible practices in the design, production and disposal of its products and in all its activities. Relevant issues include… 
  • Organic certification where appropriate
  • Items are designed to minimize environmental impact over the product lifetime
  • Reducing, reusing, recycling and composting waste and packaging
  • Elimination of dangerous chemicals in production of goods and commodities
  • Educating and requiring suppliers to be environmentally responsible.
• Quality:
  The organization provides quality in its products and services and stands by its products when there are problems or evident faults.