Glossary
If you feel that the world of Fair Trade has its very own language – don’t fret! We’ll keep you in the know!
With this glossary we’ll guide you through the common technical terms used by FLOCERT, Fairtrade International and the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO).
Learn about the wor(l)ds of Fair Trade below!
Force majeure
An overpowering force and/or event characterised as external, unpredictable and unavoidable.
The term is frequently used in contracts; in general it is included in a common clause that frees both contract parties from liability or obligation in the case of an extraordinary event or circumstance beyond the control of the contract parties (e.g. war, strike, riot, crime, or natural disasters such as flooding, earthquake or volcanic eruption).
However, the force majeure clause is not intended to excuse negligence or other breaches of duty, or where non-performance is caused by the usual, natural and predictable consequences of external forces.