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Email to:   Your name:   Message Send | Cancel Email this to a friend Printable version Buying sustainable goods from overseas   There are a number of benefits to buying sustainable goods from overseas. Firstly, the pool of potential suppliers is increased, so you have a better chance of finding what you want from a company operating in a sustainable way. Secondly, costs may be much lower than in the UK. The Internet has made researching and selecting overseas suppliers much easier than it used to be. Most companies targeting international markets have web pages in English. In addition, English is widely spoken by suppliers who trade internationally, so there is no language barrier to discussions or negotiations. A number of international organisations run accreditation schemes that can help you to identify and assess potential suppliers: ·                   The Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN) is a non-profit association of third-party, environmental performance labelling organisations that aims to improve, promote and develop the "ecolabelling" of products and services.  Find more information on GEN at the GEN website - Opens in a new window.  ·                   Fairtrade Labelling Organizations (FLO) International is a non-profit association of labelling initiatives, producer networks, traders and external experts. Find out about fairtrade standards and fairtrade certified products on the FLO International website - Opens in a new window. ·                   The Global Organic Textile Standard certifies that textiles have been produced in an organic manner. Find out about sourcing organic cloth on the Global Organic Textile Standard website - Opens in a new window. ·                   The Trade Association Forum can help you find UK trade associations, which may be able to help you find sustainable goods from overseas. Search for your trade association on the Trade Association Forum website - Opens in a new window. ·                   The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behaviour.  Find information about sustainable business practices at the Rainforest Alliance website - Opens in a new window. If yIIf you do buy sustainable goods from overseas, remember to consider all the environmental impacts of your decision. Transporting sustainable products over long distances, for example by air, may have negative environmental consequences that outweigh the benefits of choosing them in the first place. Subjects covered in this guide ·                                 Introduction ·                                 The benefits of buying sustainable goods ·                                 Assess what goods you need ·                                 How to make your buying more sustainable ·                                 Select suppliers of sustainable goods ·                                 Buying sustainable goods from overseas ·                                 Review your sustainable buying practices Source: www.businesslink.gov.uk View original article