South African Fair Trade Solar Light "Sonnenglas®︎" Approved as Official WFTO Guaranteed Member – Demonstrating New Possibilities for Fair Trade in the Solar Lighting Sector

Fair Trade Solar Light Sonnenglas®︎ from South Africa

Sonnenglas Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Shuhei Murayama) announces that Sonnenglas®︎, which develops the fair trade solar light "Sonnenglas®︎" with over 4 million units sold worldwide, has been approved as an official "Guaranteed Member" of the WFTO (World Fair Trade Organization).

Sonnenglas®︎ Approved as Official WFTO Guaranteed Member

Reaffirmation of Fair Trade Practices Since Founding, Based on International Standards

Since its establishment, Sonnenglas®︎ has practiced fair trade as a prerequisite for its business. Centered around its own workshop in Johannesburg, South Africa, it continues to operate its business based on fair trade principles, including fair wages, a safe working environment, creation of local employment, and support for employee growth.

Sonnenglas®︎ has consistently undergone continuous evaluations and met the standards as a certified supplier of "Weltladen-Dachverband," a national organization of fair trade specialty stores in Germany.

This official WFTO membership does not mean that Sonnenglas®︎ has newly adopted fair trade, but rather demonstrates that its practices accumulated since its founding have been reaffirmed under international fair trade standards.

Sonnenglas®︎ is carefully assembled one by one in its own workshop in Johannesburg.

What is WFTO?

WFTO (World Fair Trade Organization) is an international network of enterprises and organizations that place fair trade at the core of their business, and it is an organization that verifies fair trade enterprises. Its guarantee system is not a certification for individual products, but a mechanism that confirms fair trade practices across the entire business activities and supply chain of an enterprise or organization. Based on WFTO's 10 principles, including transparency and accountability, fair trading practices, appropriate working conditions, capacity building, and environmental care, the overall conduct of the enterprise is verified.
This official membership means that Sonnenglas®︎, as a social enterprise and organization, has been internationally recognized as an enterprise that places fair trade at the core of its business.

Practicing Fair Trade in the Solar Lighting Sector

Historically, fair trade has developed mainly around coffee, chocolate, tea, clothing, and handicrafts. Companies that practice fair trade across their entire business in electronic devices and solar lighting products, which involve complex supply chains, are limited.

Sonnenglas®︎ has, since its inception, placed the philosophy of fair trade at the center of its business in the solar lighting product sector, including products like SOMO solar lights.

This WFTO membership confirms that its efforts in such sectors with complex supply chains have been verified against international standards.

Sonnenglas®︎ Initiatives at its Own Workshop

In its own workshop in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sonnenglas®︎ continues to undertake the following initiatives based on fair trade principles:

- Fair Wages
We provide wages above the statutory minimum wage, working to build a foundation that supports the daily lives of employees and their families.
- Improvement of Working Environment
We are promoting the creation of an environment where employees can work with peace of mind, including a 40-hour work week, overtime pay, and flexible return-to-work systems after maternity leave.
- Creation of Local Employment
We have established our workshop in a region with a high youth unemployment rate, working to create employment rooted in the community. Many employees are hired from the local community, leading to the provision of stable employment opportunities.
- Reinvestment of Profits
Profits generated at our South African workshop are reinvested for more sustainable business operations, including employee skill development, community development, and new product development.
- Environmental Initiatives
In the manufacturing process, we promote the use of solar energy, design products for long-term use, create repairable modular structures, and work to reduce environmental impact. Sonnenglas®︎ values manufacturing that considers both people and the environment.

Sonnenglas®︎ is continuously committed to local employment and skill development in South Africa.

Sonnenglas®︎'s Journey and International Recognition

Sonnenglas®︎ has received international recognition for both its efforts as a social enterprise and the quality and design of its products.