About

Founded in Switzerland in 1995, Label STEP is a non-profit organisation committed to fair trade and the wellbeing of workers in the handmade carpet and textile industry. The handmade carpet industry is complex, with producers, exporters, and retailers collaborating together from around the world. STEP is the only non-governmental organisation of its kind working in all major handmade rug and carpet producing countries, and it responds to this complexity with a solutions-based approach—tackling issues at their root with tools tailored to their environment.

Our industry-leading Label STEP Standard guides all of our efforts. This 10-point fair trade standard provides the broadest and strictest rules on labour, health, safety, social and environmental protections in the carpet industry. STEP representatives are based in every rug producing country that we work with to support artisans and producers in understanding and complying with the STEP Standard. STEP actively supports workplace improvements and empowers weavers with educational empowerment programs, which cover such topics as health, safety, and financial literacy. These combined efforts aim to improve lives, preserve centuries-old artisanal skills, and ensure the handmade carpet industry remains sustainable for the future.

None of this would be possible without our Certified STEP Fair Trade Partners (importers, wholesalers, designers, and retailers), who support STEP’s efforts through donations, royalty payments, and a commitment to independent audits of their entire supply chain. Only Certified STEP Fair Trade Partners may promote and sell fair trade carpets bearing the distinguished STEP fair trade label.