Max Havelaar

Max Havelaar is Switzerland's Fairtrade certification program, operated by Fairtrade Max Havelaar Switzerland as part of the global Fairtrade International network. Founded in Switzerland in 1992, it awards the internationally recognized Fairtrade label to agricultural and manufactured products that meet rigorous fair trade standards — covering fair pricing, safe working conditions, living wages, gender equality, child labor protections, and environmental sustainability.

The program is aimed at companies in agriculture and manufacturing that source products from smallholder farmers and agricultural workers in the Global South. Certified businesses can license and display the Fairtrade label on qualifying products sold in Switzerland, signaling to consumers that those products were produced under verified fair trade conditions. Certification is conducted independently against Fairtrade International's global standards.

For companies evaluating this certification, Max Havelaar provides a credible, well-recognized signal of ethical sourcing in the Swiss market. It is relevant across a wide range of product categories — including coffee, cocoa, bananas, cotton, tea, gold, and more — and is designed for both large industry partners and smaller operators such as florists, jewelers, and food service businesses.