Fairtrade NAPP supports producers in complying with Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) requirements incorporated under the revised Fairtrade Standards for Hired Labour Plantations. These standards ensure that producers follow ethical and sustainable practices in line with human rights and environmental protection. The HREDD requirements are also being incorporated into all the generic standards of Fairtrade, ensuring a comprehensive approach to due diligence across the region.

Fairtrade NAPP provides training programs on human rights, environmental sustainability, and ethical business practices to producers and cooperatives. This training helps POs understand the importance of HREDD, how to assess risks within their supply chains, and how to implement policies and practices that align with international standards. By building the capacity of local communities, Fairtrade NAPP ensures that producers are better equipped to prevent abuses and reduce environmental harm.

Fairtrade NAPP also helps raise awareness of ethical practices and in highlighting the positive impact of responsible supply chains. They engage consumers and businesses, promoting transparency and advocacy for human rights and environmental sustainability.

In addition to human rights, Fairtrade NAPP works with producers to promote environmentally sustainable farming practices that reduce the negative impact on ecosystems. This includes encouraging organic farming, water conservation, biodiversity preservation, and the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices. By integrating sustainable practices into the daily operations of Producer Organisations, Fairtrade NAPP helps them increase resilience to climate change and safeguard the environment for future generations.

Fairtrade NAPP collaborates with various international organizations and partners to enhance the effectiveness of its HREDD initiatives and prepare producers towards HREDD Compliance. These partnerships provide additional expertise and resources to address complex Human rights and environmental issues in the agricultural supply chain.

For example:

With the support of ISEALs Innovations Fund, Fairtrade NAPP, in collaboration with Fairtrade International and HREDD Centre is facilitating rightsholder dialogue in Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD). This 02-year term project aims towards a more equitable HREDD by strengthening rightsholder voice in global supply chains. It focusses on addressing issues on child labour in cotton production in India,  gender-based violence in sugar production in the Philippines and living wages in sugar production in Fiji. The insights gained will help refine practices for meaningful engagement and strengthen mitigation and remediation pathways, ultimately improving corporate HREDD efforts and rightsholder empowerment. 

This 03 year project funded by GIZ targets cotton, coffee & tea production in India, coffee production in Indonesia and tea production in Sri Lanka.  It aims to support the small holder farmers in making their production sustainable and align it with the EU CSDDD and EUDR without incurring significant additional costs, therefore mitigating against the risk of being pushed out of the market. The 03 year project’s targeted interventions is based on women’s needs and the 3R principles as Rights, Representation and Resources. 

Through this projects producers are also supported in conducting human rights and environmental risk assessments to identify potential issues within their supply chains. This proactive approach helps detect and address problems related to child labour, gender discrimination, unsafe working conditions, and environmental degradation before they become major challenges. Risk assessments enable POs to develop appropriate mitigation strategies and improve their overall due diligence practices.

Fairtrade NAPP offers a range of resources, such as IEC materials on Fairtrade guidelines on Implementing HREDD, prohibiting social discrimination for workers, promoting gender equality and respect at workplace and other best practice frameworks to help POs integrate HREDD into their day-to-day operations. These resources provide practical steps for producers to adopt responsible business practices and mitigate environmental and human rights risks.  Fairtrade NAPP also offers ongoing technical assistance to support producers in implementing these tools effectively.

Fairtrade NAPP also conducts regular assessments and checks to verify that producers are upholding human rights and environmental standards. This helps to identify non-compliance, track progress, and suggest corrective actions where needed. The process encourages transparency and accountability within the supply chain.

When human rights violations or environmental issues are identified, Fairtrade NAPP works with Producer Organisations and its Social Compliance Unit to implement remediation strategies. This can include addressing cases of child labour, improving working conditions, enhancing environmental sustainability, and providing training to ensure that the issue is resolved and does not recur. 

The Fairtrade Premium plays a crucial role in supporting Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) by enabling producer organizations to invest in initiatives that promote fair labour practices, environmental protection, and community development. Producers use the premium to improve working conditions, support workers' rights, and implement environmentally sustainable practices that align with HREDD principles. This financial resource also allows for training and capacity-building programs that help producers comply with due diligence requirements, ensuring ethical production and the protection of both human rights and the environment throughout the supply chain.

By working closely with producer organizations, providing capacity-building support, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring compliance with international standards, Fairtrade NAPP helps POs improve their operations, uphold human rights, and adopt environmentally sustainable practices. This not only benefits the producers themselves but also contributes to a more ethical and transparent global supply chain.