Snowboard, winter apparel, and backcountry gear brand Jones Snowboards announced that its 2024/25 snowboards and split boards would be Fair Trade Certified. Jones reported it is the first ski/snowboard hardgoods brand to have its boards certified by the non-profit Fair Trade USA.
Fair Trade Certified is a “sustainable sourcing model supporting responsible companies, empowering workers and protecting the environment. When a product is Fair Trade Certified, it has been audited to ensure the people who manufacture its product are treated fairly, paid equitably and work in safe conditions,” said the company.
“Our boards are known for their performance and responsible manufacturing standards, but what is not as well known is that we hold all our factory partners to the highest social responsibility standards. Achieving Fair Trade Certification honors our longstanding commitment to the people who manufacture our products,” said Jeremy Jones, founder of Jones Snowboards.
SWS Board Technology, Jones Snowboards’ production partner, became a Fair Trade Certified manufacturing facility in October 2023. To achieve certification, SWS was audited to demonstrate adherence to over 100-plus compliance criteria that cover social responsibility, environmental responsibility, employee empowerment, and economic development.
“The well-being of our employees is our top priority, and achieving Fair Trade Certification is a reflection of our dedication to providing a positive work environment marked by fair wages, safe conditions and opportunities for employee growth. We take pride in ensuring that our commitment to the Fair Trade Organization is not just a certification but a lived reality that offers success and satisfaction to our employees and the communities we serve,” said Renske Visser, sustainability officer of SWS.
Every time a consumer buys a Fair Trade Certified Jones product, Jones will contribute to a Community Development Fund to support the SWS factory employees’ most pressing community needs, including education, child care and healthcare. Factory employees control the Community Development Fund and vote on how the funds are used.
“We are thrilled by this commitment and partnership from Jones, “said Paul Rice, founder and CEO of Fair Trade USA. “Working with companies like Jones enables our model to succeed. The products that we buy every day are connected to the livelihoods of others, and partners like Jones empower consumers to shop their values. Pioneers like Jones show the breadth of what is possible with Fair Trade Certified across industries.”
Receiving Fair Trade Certification reinforces Jones’ mission to be a leader in ethical and responsible business practices. Other notable milestones in Jones’ efforts include switching their snowboard production to 100 percent solar energy and Bio-Resin epoxy in 2020, completing a life cycle assessment of their snowboard production in 2020, and developing Re-Up Tech, the first snowboard recycling program in 2023.
Jones’ Fair Trade Certified 2024/25 snowboards and splitboards will be available in August 2024.
Image courtesy Jones Snowboards
