You are viewing a free preview of this lesson.
Subscribe to unlock all 10 lessons in this course and every other course on LearningBro.
This lesson covers fair trade principles, ethical sourcing practices, and worker welfare, as required by AQA GCSE D&T (8552), Section 3.2.4. Responsible design goes beyond environmental considerations — it must also address the social impact of material choices and manufacturing processes on the people involved in the supply chain.
Fair Trade is a trading partnership that seeks greater equity in international trade. It offers better trading conditions to, and secures the rights of, marginalised producers and workers — especially in developing countries.
| Principle | Description |
|---|---|
| Fair prices | Producers receive a minimum price that covers the cost of sustainable production, plus a Fair Trade premium for community development |
| Direct trade | Reducing the number of intermediaries (middlemen) so more profit reaches the producers |
| Democratic organisation | Producer cooperatives make decisions democratically; workers have a voice |
| Safe working conditions | Workplaces must meet health and safety standards; no forced labour |
| No child labour | Children must not be employed; education is prioritised |
| Environmental protection | Sustainable farming and manufacturing practices are required |
| Long-term relationships | Buyers commit to long-term partnerships with producers, providing financial stability |
The Fairtrade mark (black and green yin-yang symbol) is the most widely recognised ethical certification label in the UK. It appears on products including coffee, tea, chocolate, bananas, cotton clothing, and gold jewellery.
When you see the Fairtrade mark on a product, it guarantees that:
AQA Exam Tip: If asked about fair trade in the exam, mention SPECIFIC benefits: (1) guaranteed minimum price, (2) community premium, (3) no child labour, (4) safe working conditions. Vague answers like "fair trade is better for people" will not score full marks. Be specific.
Ethical sourcing means ensuring that the products and materials in a supply chain are obtained in a responsible and sustainable manner — that workers are treated fairly, environmental standards are met, and human rights are respected.
| Issue | Description | Affected Materials |
|---|---|---|
| Child labour | Children working instead of attending school, often in dangerous conditions | Cobalt (DRC), cotton (Uzbekistan), cocoa (West Africa), mica (India) |
| Forced labour | Workers compelled to work under threat of punishment, including debt bondage | Cotton (Xinjiang, China — allegations), rubber (Southeast Asia) |
| Unsafe working conditions | Inadequate safety equipment, structural hazards, toxic exposure | Garment factories (Bangladesh), tanneries (India), mines (global) |
| Low wages | Workers paid below a living wage, unable to meet basic needs | Garment workers (global), agricultural workers (global) |
| Environmental exploitation | Communities exposed to pollution, deforestation, or water depletion by extractive industries | Mining communities, oil-producing regions, cotton-growing regions |
The collapse of the Rana Plaza garment factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on 24 April 2013 killed 1,134 workers and injured over 2,500. The building had known structural cracks, but workers were ordered to return to work the day after the cracks were discovered. The factory produced clothing for major Western brands.
This disaster exposed the human cost of cheap fashion and triggered significant changes:
| Response | Description |
|---|---|
| Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh | Legally binding agreement between brands and trade unions to improve factory safety |
| Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety | Industry-led initiative (primarily US brands) for safety improvements |
| Fashion Revolution movement | Global campaign asking brands "Who made my clothes?" — promoting transparency |
| Increased consumer awareness | Consumers increasingly demand to know about working conditions in supply chains |
AQA Exam Tip: The Rana Plaza disaster is a powerful case study for demonstrating the link between ethical sourcing, worker welfare, and design decisions. If a question asks about the social responsibility of designers, referencing Rana Plaza shows real-world understanding and can access higher marks.
Worker welfare encompasses the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of workers throughout the supply chain.
| Area | Standard | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Working hours | Maximum hours per week with mandatory rest days | EU Working Time Directive: maximum 48 hours per week |
| Living wage | Wages sufficient to meet basic needs (food, housing, healthcare) | Many garment workers earn less than half a living wage |
| Health and safety | Safe working environment, protective equipment, training | Ventilation in factories using solvents; guards on machinery |
| Freedom of association | Right to join trade unions and bargain collectively | Protected by ILO conventions |
| No discrimination | Equal treatment regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion | Equal pay for equal work |
| No child labour | Minimum age of 15 (or 18 for hazardous work) | ILO Convention 138 |
| Action | Impact |
|---|---|
| Choose certified suppliers | Fairtrade, SA8000, or similar certifications verify worker welfare standards |
| Audit supply chains | Regular independent audits ensure standards are maintained |
| Pay fair prices | Refusing to squeeze supplier margins prevents cost-cutting at workers' expense |
| Design for local production | Manufacturing in countries with strong labour laws reduces exploitation risk |
| Specify ethical materials | Choosing Fairtrade cotton, conflict-free minerals, or certified timber directly benefits producers |
| Transparency | Publishing supply chain information holds companies accountable |
| Scheme | Focus | Logo Description |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade | Fair prices, community premium, no child labour | Black and green yin-yang |
| FSC | Sustainable forestry; protects forests and indigenous rights | Green tick-tree |
| GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) | Organic textile production with social criteria | Green shirt logo |
| SA8000 | Social accountability: working conditions, wages, child labour | — |
| B Corp | Overall social and environmental performance of a company | B inside a circle |
| Rainforest Alliance | Sustainable farming and forestry; worker welfare | Green frog |
Conflict minerals (tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold — the "3TG") are mined in conflict zones, particularly the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where profits from mining fund armed groups that commit human rights abuses.
| Mineral | Use in Products |
|---|---|
| Tin | Solder on circuit boards, tin plate on cans |
| Tantalum | Capacitors in smartphones, laptops, and other electronics |
| Tungsten | Vibration motors in smartphones; cutting tools |
| Gold | Electrical connectors in electronics; jewellery |
The US Dodd-Frank Act (2010) and the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation (2021) require companies to trace the origins of these minerals and ensure they are not funding conflict.
AQA Exam Tip: If asked about ethical issues in the electronics industry, conflict minerals are a key topic. Mention that tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold can fund armed conflict in the DRC, and that legislation now requires companies to audit their supply chains.
Subscribe to continue reading
Get full access to this lesson and all 10 lessons in this course.