Tibet Collection's Fair Trade Commitment

Tibet Collection works directly with Tibetan, Indian and Nepalese artisans to create designs that respectfully celebrate the beauty and culture of Tibet. As a founding member of the Fair Trade Federation (FTF) we strive to create ethical relationships and promote better wages and working conditions for the artisans and people who produce our products.

In accordance with FTF principles, and by our own sense of what ethical trading means, we commit to the following principles:

1. Building long-term trade relationships with our producers.

2. Paying a fair and living wage in the local context.

3. Promoting safe and healthy working conditions within the local context.

4. Providing technical support, design assistance and market training.

5. Supporting environmentally sustainable practices.

6. Providing employment opportunities for all people including disabled.

7. Supporting community efforts and humanitarian organizations.

The purchases that we make through our sales and marketing initiatives benefit the artisans, businesses and their communities in several ways:

1. Ongoing Orders and Long Term Relationships

An important aspect of our relationship with our producers is to provide a continual and steady stream of orders and payments. We encourage and maintain long term relationships with the artisans and groups we work with, some of whom we have been working with for seventeen years ago. When sales of an artisan group's products begin to lag, we consider other marketable items for them to make. We avoid leaving any group behind by investing in the development of new designs for them to produce.

2. A Fair Price and Wage

Tibet Collection's is committed to ensuring that the artisan and/or producer group is paid a fair and living wage in the context of the local economy. We work with the producers to balance the costs of skill, labor, materials and the production process with appropriate profit margins and income for their community in order to create a dignified and sustainable business atmosphere.

3. Health and Safety

We visit producer and exporter facilities in India and Nepal at least once a year. To the best of our abilities we review the working conditions at the production facilities we are able to visit to effect improvements such as better ventilation or improved lighting. We routinely ask each group to reply to an in-depth questionnaire addressing health and safety concerns. We have begun to do lead testing and ensure the use of safe colors or Azo-free dyes.

4. Providing Technical Support, Design Assistance and Market Training

Tibet Collection continually invests in new design development and production training. One or more of our U.S. design staff visits production centers at least once a year to introduce and review information on design and market trends, develop new product ideas, and promote improved production techniques, communication, quality control oversight and working conditions as appropriate.

5. Promoting the Use of Sustainable and Recycled Materials

Many of our products are made with fibers that are sustainable harvested or recycled. We make every attempt to avoid excessive packaging and use natural dyes and handmade materials whenever possible. Because we choose to work with groups that are already engaged in fair trade practices, most groups have systems for environmentally sound ways to dispose of waste products such as used dyes (all dyes are Azo free). Each year we work with the producers to re-evaluate and upgrade existing facilities and working conditions to promote better environmental quality.

6. Promoting Business Opportunities for Special Producer Groups

Tibet Collection makes a concerted effort to create business opportunities for producer groups that might not otherwise have the chance to sell in the export market. These generally include groups that are located in more isolated areas, groups that employ less educated artisans such as recently arrived refugees from Tibet, groups that employ disadvantaged peoples, and groups that have unique talents but are not connected to more mainstream business outlets. Above all we seek to channel business to groups that are committed to their local community and fair trade practices.

7. Promoting Community Efforts and Supporting Humanitarian Organizations

Most of the producer groups we work with manage and promote their own health, educational or cultural preservation initiatives. Tibet Collection works to generate income for their projects through our product sales and in some cases makes direct contributions. We also provide direct links to NGO's and other independent groups that seek to support or promote Tibetan culture such as the International Campaign for Tibet in Washington, DC, and Tibet House in New York City.

Ultimately, of course, Tibet Collection relies on its artisans and producer groups to enforce fair trade, health and safety compliance in each group.

And In Our Own Massachusetts Office

Health Care:

All full time staff who qualify are covered under a company sponsored health care program.

Personal Development:

Tibet Collection employs unique initiatives and team building tools in our workplace.

Recycling:

We choose recycled paper for printing our catalog and for general office use.

We pick up discarded cardboard boxes from local stores for re-shipping.

We subscribe to an office paper and cardboard recycling program.

For more information visit both www.FairTradeFederation.org

and the Fair Trade Resource Network (FTRN), www.FairTradeResource.org

FTRN publishes The Conscious Consumer, available on our own website.