This week, the EU passed a new public procurement directive that will allow public authorities across Europe to make a deliberate choice for fair trade products.
The new law confirms a European Court of Justice ruling which clarified that public contracts can award additional points to products "of fair trade origin".
Compliance with environmental, social and labour obligations are now enshrined in the principles of procurement law, which is a great step forwards.
The new public procurement directive is expected to enter into force in March 2014 and EU Member States will then have two years to translate it into national law.
The European Parliament's Fair Trade Working Group is chaired by British Labour MEP Linda McAvan.
