Advancing Responsible Trade: HREDD Awareness Training for Fairtrade Traders and Producers in Java

In an era where ethical trade is no longer optional but essential, Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) stands at the core of responsible global business. What was once a voluntary exercise has now evolved into a mandatory standard — transforming how companies source, trade, and sustain.

For Fairtrade-certified traders and Small Producer Organizations (SPOs), HREDD is now embedded in the Fairtrade Trader Standard (Version 2.0), effective from 2025 onward. The Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence Capacity Building and Training program module under NAPP Commercial Ventures is designed to ensure Fairtrade partners are not only compliant but competitive under the upcoming EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and Fairtrade HREDD Standards.

As global sustainability regulations tighten, companies are now required to integrate HREDD into their business models. This training transforms compliance into a strategic advantage, enabling organizations to strengthen governance, mitigate risks, and enhance market credibility.

The first training collaboration between Fairtrade NAPP and NAPP Commercial Ventures Pte. Ltd. on HREDD awareness was organised for 24 participants from six traders and six producer organizations in Purwokerto on October 16, 2025. Designed as a participatory and experiential learning event, the training balanced theoretical inputs with hands-on exercises to help participants connect global standards with operational realities.

Participating Traders

• PT. Profil Mitra Abadi – Quality Assurance & Compliance Team
• PT. Coco Sugar Indonesia – Compliance and Fairtrade Officers
• PT. Mega Inovasi Organik – HRGA Division
• PT. Indokom Citra Persada – Compliance Department
• PT. Daya Alami Indonesia – Purchasing & Compliance Team
• PT. Sistema Organis Agrinaya – Company Director and Management

Participating Small Producer Organisations

• Koperasi Karya Manis Sejahtera
• Koperasi Manunggal Adil Sejahtera
• Koperasi Tirta Nira Sejahtera
• Koperasi Sari Manggar Alami
• Koperasi Coco Sugar Manise
• Koperasi Agro Bumbu Qtha

These organizations represent both producer cooperatives and trading companies forming integral links in the Fairtrade-certified supply chain. Their collaboration during the training created a shared learning environment where producers and traders could openly discuss human rights and environmental challenges, fostering a cooperative spirit of responsible business practice.

Training Objectives

• Provide a comprehensive understanding of HREDD principles and the EU CSDDD framework.
• Help traders and SPOs identify and assess human rights and environmental risks in their value chains.
• Support participants in developing a practical, actionable HREDD implementation plan.
• Promote collaboration between traders and SPOs in building shared due diligence systems.
• Introduce the HREDD Offer to Business service of NAPP Commercial Ventures as a trusted solution for advanced implementation.

Session Highlights

1. Setting the Scene: A thought-provoking presentation connected global sustainability and HREDD trends with the Fairtrade movement, emphasizing why responsible business practices are no longer optional but essential for long-term success.
2. Understanding HREDD: Facilitators introduced the core principles and six-step process of Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence under the UNGPs and Fairtrade framework, linking it directly to trade governance and compliance requirements.
3. Mapping the Value Chain: Led by Erwin Novianto from NAPP’s Commercial Division, participants mapped their value chains to identify potential human rights and environmental risks across production and trade stages.
4. Fairtrade & HREDD Alignment: An interactive dialogue demonstrated how existing Fairtrade Standards already meet many global due diligence requirements, positioning certification as a strategic tool for risk management and market access.
5. Identifying Key Risks: Through real-life scenarios, participants explored common risks in agricultural supply chains, such as labour issues, environmental impacts, and community relations.
6. Risk Prioritization Exercise: Using a lively “traffic light” method, groups assessed and prioritized identified risks, developing practical mitigation strategies.
7. From Awareness to Action: Participants transformed insights into concrete steps—drafting initial HREDD action points and embedding due diligence commitments into internal policies.
8. Introducing Advanced HREDD Training: NAPP Commercial Ventures showcased pathways for deeper paid training and consulting services designed to support full-scale implementation and compliance readiness.
9. Closing & Evaluation: The workshop concluded with reflections and feedback, with participants expressing strong enthusiasm for deeper engagement with NAPP’s HREDD programs.

Post-Workshop Insights and Impact

• Participants reported significant improvement in understanding HREDD concepts and their ability to identify and prioritize risks.
• 100% of respondents agreed that they now understand what HREDD is, its relevance to Fairtrade, and why it matters.
• Many traders expressed interest in continuing with advanced paid HREDD training, recognizing the value of expert guidance in developing company-specific due diligence systems.
• The workshop fostered collaboration between producers and traders, creating a shared commitment to sustainable trade.

Next Step: Advanced HREDD Implementation Training

Following the success of this initial awareness session, NAPP Commercial Ventures will roll out a series of advanced paid HREDD trainings in 2026. These specialized modules will support Fairtrade traders and SPOs in developing formal HREDD policies and risk registers, conducting impact assessments and supplier engagement, building monitoring and remediation systems, and reporting transparently on human rights and environmental performance.

This workshop’s participatory, hands-on approach—guided by industry experts and backed by Fairtrade NAPP’s commitment to continuous learning—makes it an unmissable opportunity for traders and producers aiming to strengthen their ethical and sustainable business practices.

Why Choose Us?

Whether you are a trader looking to maintain access to EU markets or a cooperative seeking to strengthen your governance systems, our HREDD programs offer the knowledge, credibility, and confidence to thrive in a responsible global economy.