Recommended Additions to our Ethical Sourcing Wishlist:
Traceability & Transparency: “We will implement a transparent supply chain system that allows us—and ideally our customers—to trace each batch of frankincense back to the specific harvesting region and cooperative. We believe in moving beyond claims to provable origins.”
Ecological Conservation Beyond Harvesting: “Our commitment to the environment includes supporting initiatives for natural Boswellia forest regeneration and protection, such as seed collection, seedling programs, or guarding against overgrazing and land clearing. Sustaining tree numbers means actively nurturing new growth.”
Fair Pricing & Premiums Defined: “Beyond fair wages, we will establish a clear model for direct trade and price premiums. A portion of our revenue will be earmarked as a ‘Community Development Premium’ paid directly to the cooperative for self-determined projects, ensuring value stays local.”
Gender Equity & Inclusivity: “We recognize the often-invisible role of women in the frankincense value chain (sorting, grading, household support). We will actively promote gender-inclusive practices and ensure our training and benefit-sharing initiatives are accessible to all members of the harvesting community.”
Cultural Heritage Preservation: “Frankincense is intertwined with intangible cultural heritage. We will work to document and honor the traditional knowledge of harvesters, supporting the preservation of language, stories, and rituals associated with the resin, not just its commercial value.”
Third-Party Verification & Partnerships: “We aspire to work with reputable third-party certifiers or auditors (e.g., FairWild, or ethical trade consultants) to validate our sustainable and fair-trade practices, providing objective credibility to our claims.”
Climate Resilience & Adaptive Practices: “We acknowledge the threat of climate change to arid Boswellia habitats. We commit to supporting research and adaptive training for harvesters on climate-resilient practices and monitoring tree health in changing conditions.”
Holistic Community Development Priorities: “We will engage in participatory community assessments to identify development priorities, which may include healthcare access, clean water infrastructure, or educational scholarships for harvesters’ children, ensuring our giving back aligns with actual needs.”
Zero Tolerance for Exploitation: “We will institute and communicate a clear code of conduct for all our partners and staff that strictly prohibits child labor, forced labor, and any form of exploitation within our supply chain.”
Long-Term Purchase Agreements: “To provide economic stability, we will establish multi-year purchasing agreements with our partner cooperatives wherever possible. This guarantees a reliable market for their harvest and enables long-term planning for both parties.”
Knowledge Exchange & Market Access: “We will facilitate knowledge exchange between harvesters and end-users (like perfumers, aromatherapists) to help harvesters understand the value and requirements of the international market, empowering them in negotiations.”
