In light of recent safety recalls of Chinese-made toys, fair trade artisan groups have an opportunity to tell their story said Ravi Jayawardena, director of artisan group Golden Palm Crafts, based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Golden Palm, a Ten Thousand Villages trading partner, primarily produces children’s toys, mostly from painted wood.



“This is a time for fair traders to explain to customers that our products not only conform to safety standards, but also to ISO 9001:2000,” he explained. Developed by the International Standards Organization in Switzerland, ISO 9001:2000 is a quality management system. “An organization following the ISO systems needs to maintain required minimum standards in order to qualify for that certification,” said Jayawardena. Golden Palm is also governed by the International Toy Safety Regulations, EN 17.



Golden Palm ensures that all paint used is non-toxic and lead-free according to safety requirements. The paint manufacturer is required to submit test reports of the product. The company also ensures that toys pass safety tests such as drop tests, pull test and choking prevention.



“Furthermore,” he added, “our products are made according to fair trade principles, and the producers are receiving many benefits.” Golden Palm artisans receive payment above minimum wage; they also receive insurance, workers’ compensation, pension contributions and assistance with school fees. Fair wages enable families to improve their standard of living. Special training and encouragement is given to women to take leadership. Profits from the business are reinvested in new machinery, tools, and training, to improve working conditions and to create more jobs.



Golden Palm exports handmade wooden items to fair trade organizations throughout the world. Golden Palm’s principal objective is to create job options for people in the rural areas of Sri Lanka, where employment opportunities are rare. With its main office in Colombo, Golden Palm’s woodworking and painting workshops are found in a number of rural villages. Most artisans are the sole income earners for their families.



Golden Palm Crafts was founded in 1985 by Ravi and Chulani Jayawardena, chairman and director, respectively. Golden Palm is a member of the International Fair Trade Association. Ten Thousand Villages purchases brightly colored wooden items, including puzzles, toys, nativities and children’s furniture, from Golden Palm. Ten Thousand Villages has purchased products from Golden Palm since 1985.