How Fair Trade
Changes Lives
Partnering for Positive Change
Since 2010
Since 2010
Partnering for Positive Change Since 2010
From protecting the health and safety of factory workers to generating financial premiums for each garment they make—let’s support those who make our clothes.
Because People Matter Most
When a brand purchases Fair Trade Certified™ products from a certified factory, it helps ensure two very important things:
- Safety measures are put in place to protect employees’ physical and mental health.
- Companies will pay an additional premium for each item they order, and from there, a committee of factory employees will collaborate and vote on how this money is spent.
PART 1 - A DAY IN THE FACTORY
Meet Trang
In October of 2019, we had the chance to meet Trang. She’s a sewing supervisor at a Fair Trade Certified™ Factory in Vietnam. But she’s also a mother, provider, and leader.
PART 2 - A DAY IN THE FACTORY
Meet the Committee
Journey into Thailand as we take a deeper dive into Fair Trade and learn more about the premiums process—both how the money is gathered and who decides how it will be spent.
PART 3 - A DAY IN THE FACTORY
Meet the Network
Take an inside look at our Vendor Summit—an event that brings together partners from around the globe, including Fair Trade USA, to share our common vision.
prAna was one of the first brands to partner with Fair Trade USA for apparel back in 2010. And since then, we’ve been able to convert 11 factories to Fair Trade Certified™ and generate premiums which benefited 26,000+ workers worldwide.

But that’s only the beginning...

But that’s only the beginning...
Our goal is for 100% of our products to be made in a Fair Trade Certified™ Factory by 2028.
Take a Deeper Dive
Q: How are Fair Trade Certified™ Factories and Farms different from
non-certified ones? 

A: Fair Trade USA works as a third-party support system and certifier, adhering to four non-negotiable pillars: safe working conditions, advancement of people, protection for the planet, and consumer activation. This helps protect the mental and physical health of the people working there, and provides additional financial support in the form of premiums—a system where brands contribute an additional percentage of money for each item they order, which then goes into a Community Development Fund for factory workers to use in a variety of different ways.
A: Fair Trade USA works as a third-party support system and certifier, adhering to four non-negotiable pillars: safe working conditions, advancement of people, protection for the planet, and consumer activation. This helps protect the mental and physical health of the people working there, and provides additional financial support in the form of premiums—a system where brands contribute an additional percentage of money for each item they order, which then goes into a Community Development Fund for factory workers to use in a variety of different ways.
Q: What is a Community Development Fund?
A: When companies pay premiums for each Fair Trade product they order, this money is owned by the factory workers. They vote on how to spend it based on their own unique needs, which can be things like healthcare and onsite pharmacies, educational programs, childcare, in-home appliances, and so much more. The workers come together, vote for the program they feel is strongest, define the project, then work together to make it happen.
A: When companies pay premiums for each Fair Trade product they order, this money is owned by the factory workers. They vote on how to spend it based on their own unique needs, which can be things like healthcare and onsite pharmacies, educational programs, childcare, in-home appliances, and so much more. The workers come together, vote for the program they feel is strongest, define the project, then work together to make it happen.
Q: What's the difference between Fair Trade Certified™ and
Fair Trade Certified™ Factory?

A: Fair Trade Certified™ means that both the facility where the product was made and the organic cotton used to make it have been certified by Fair Trade USA.
Fair Trade Certified™ Factory refers to products that were constructed in a facility certified by Fair Trade USA.
A: Fair Trade Certified™ means that both the facility where the product was made and the organic cotton used to make it have been certified by Fair Trade USA.
Fair Trade Certified™ Factory refers to products that were constructed in a facility certified by Fair Trade USA.
Q: What's prAna's history with Fair Trade?
A: In 2010 we became one of the first clothing brands to partner with Fair Trade USA to create Fair Trade apparel. Then, shortly after in 2011, we brought our first-ever Fair Trade Certified™ piece of clothing to market (a women's organic cotton tee we were extremely proud of). Finally, in 2012, we certified our first Fair Trade Certified™ Factory—and we've continued on this forward trajectory ever since.
A: In 2010 we became one of the first clothing brands to partner with Fair Trade USA to create Fair Trade apparel. Then, shortly after in 2011, we brought our first-ever Fair Trade Certified™ piece of clothing to market (a women's organic cotton tee we were extremely proud of). Finally, in 2012, we certified our first Fair Trade Certified™ Factory—and we've continued on this forward trajectory ever since.