Standards and Certification
The Organic movement took many years to develop the standards and the certification systems that now govern the system, Fair Trade and social standards are now following in the footsteps of the Organic movement, but have some ways to go. This section will seek to outline the current standards and certification system that exists.
In Canada the Farmer Direct Cooperative has created a label which incorporates both Organic and Fair Trade, known as “Fair deal” where producers get Fair Trade certified and Organic certified by other independent certifiers, the FDC then recognizes both 
under one logo. The FDC is a key member of the DFTA as well as the AJP and works under the Food Justice Certified system set up by the AJP. The same system exists in the United States with the AJP leading the way in standards and certification, while the DFTA works to promote and grow the movement and works to incorporate Organic standards with social standards.
Internationally IMO, the institute for Market ecology has been a market leader in the Organic 
movement, and has now ventured into the Fair Trade and social standard side of the system. IMO now works to set standards and certify both domestically and internationally. IMO is based in Switzerland, has roots in the Organic movement, are an internationally recognized certifier in the EU and in recent years have begun to develop social and Fair Trade standards to compliment there Organic certification systems and standards
IMO has several programs which certify on several different standards. Unlike the Fair Trade Labelling Organization (FLO), which works internationally to set base prices based on region for a given commodity, while building social premiums which go up and above the minimum, which flow back to the cooperative for both Organic and Fair Trade standards being met, IMO works with each producer individually, to set fair prices based on region and type of product.
IMO’s programs are as follows:
The “For Life” program confirms that workers enjoy good working conditions and that producer groups have well working, accountable internal structures. The programme builds on widely acknowledged baseline standards such as the Conventions of ILO, SA 8000 and the criteria of IFOAM.
The “Fair for Life” program includes all social standards, but focuses additionally on trade relations. "Fair Trade" means long-term and trustful cooperation between partners, transparent price setting, open negotiations and prices that allow for social development of the concerned communities
Their “Fair Wild” program covers the social and Fair Trade aspects of wild harvested goods.
IMO at a glance: A comparison to the FLO international system of standards and certification:
Both FLO and IMO are internationally recognized systems, and both set standards and certify those standards. FLO uses an independent body known as FLO-cert who conducts the on the ground audits where IMO works on both ends of the supply chain directly. Important to note: Similar to FLO, IMO carries out annual audits to ensure standards are being met. This audit system works based on a scoring system which takes into account each aspect of business. Both producers as well as importers must meet baseline standards in order for certification to be awarded. However, FLO currently remains solely focused on setting and carrying out international certification, and does not set or certify on domestic standards. In contrast, IMO has begun to bridge the gap between the two. The comparison is being made here to better understand how each system works
Each system has benefits and each system has drawbacks, they are as follows:
For FLO, FLO-cert and Fairtrade Canada, all independent parts of the same system, greater time is spent developing standards, and baseline market prices, once established those prices are rigid and set firmly in place, this both protects producers, but can also be cumbersome with regards to change and fluctuation in the marketplace. It acts as a solid guarantee when prices are low, but can also be slow to change when prices are high. Secondly the costs associated with the system are greater due to several levels of standards on both ends of the supply chain.
IMO on the other hand sets similar standards but approaches certification differently, as it works with each producer to set a fair price for what is being produced. This system is faster and more able to change and adapt as markets change, but is less rigid in the sense that large buyers could threaten base prices. Beneficially however, the system costs less to operate and costs less for producers, importers and retailers a like. Likewise, since IMO carries out Organic certification as well, producers can get simply add Fair Trade certification on top of certification they are already receiving, rather than having to go to with a different certifier, which saves both money and time for the producer.
The DFTA and the AJP are both solely domestically focused, where the DFTA does not certify, but rather works to ensure standards are met through transparency and public awareness. The AJP works to set standards based on social criteria. The DFTA has been working with the AJP, IMO and Transfair USA with the hope to bring each of these organizations under one umbrella.
Food Justice Certified is a program which has been launched by the AJP, based upon social standards. These standards are recognized by the DFTA as domestic Fair Trade standards. They are strong on organic and non GMO while also uphold strong criteria which attempt to protect workers, which has meant opposition with many US state policies, such as “at will employment” which eliminates all job security in the agricultural sector. The AJP works based on the ideal that “transparency equals trust”, and they require that “95% of the dry weight of the product (meaning the weight without water content) is certified before full use of our label is granted” while they have worked to develop a “three tiered labeling system to make these differences obvious to consumers”; the label covers the farm, the company and the retailor. This movement has grown as labour has become more of an issue, and because labour standards have not been rolled into Organic standards.