Rugs of Petworth Partners with STEP: Ethical and Fair-Trade Handmade Rugs

A new chapter in our sourcing story

We’re excited to share some news that means a lot to us. Rugs of Petworth has partnered with STEP (Label STEP – Fair Trade Carpet Programme), the independent non-profit championing fair trade in the handmade rug world.

As a Certified STEP Fair Trade Partner, we’re putting even more weight behind something we’ve always believed: great rugs should be good for the people who make them.

Alex, our founder, spends much of his time in the weaving regions where our rugs are made. He visits workshops, talks with weaving teams on the ground and hand-picks every rug that eventually makes its way back to our Petworth showroom.

That hands-on approach keeps us closely connected to the whole journey of a rug — from the loom where it’s woven to the room where it eventually lives. Working with STEP adds independent oversight, helping ensure the people behind each rug are treated fairly and the craft is respected at every stage.

This collaboration strengthens our long-standing commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainable practices in the handmade rug industry. Put simply: beautiful rugs, chosen by hand, made with respect for the people and communities behind them.

We’ve always said a rug should do more than look the part — it should feel right too. Partnering with STEP helps ensure every piece we bring into the showroom reflects the same care and pride that goes into weaving it.

For us, sourcing handmade rugs has always been about more than simply finding beautiful pieces. It’s about understanding where they come from, how they’re made and the people behind them. 

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What is STEP? The fair-trade organisation for handmade rugs

Founded in Switzerland in 1995, STEP is an independent non-profit organisation focused on improving working and living conditions across the handmade rug industry.

STEP looks at the full picture — not just the finished rug. They work throughout the supply chain, partnering with brands and retailers who commit to fair-trade principles from yarn to loom to showroom.

They operate across many of the major rug-weaving regions — including India, Nepal, Pakistan, Morocco, Afghanistan and Turkey — working directly with producers and weaving communities to improve labour conditions, promote fair wages and support sustainable livelihoods.

It’s a practical, solutions-focused approach that tackles the real challenges in the industry while helping protect the people who keep these traditional skills alive. 

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The STEP fair-trade standard for ethical handmade rugs

At the heart of STEP’s work is the STEP Fair Trade Standard — an independent framework covering labour rights, environmental responsibility and supply-chain transparency.

Key elements include:

• Fair labour conditions — respect for workers’ rights and safe, healthy workplaces
• Fair wages and fair purchasing prices — economic fairness from loom to showroom
• No abusive child labour — prevention, monitoring and remediation where needed
• Independent monitoring — regular on-site checks and follow-up
• Environmental responsibility — encouraging low-impact, responsible production methods
• Supply-chain transparency — traceability and accountability from weaving communities to retailers

STEP also runs Weaver Empowerment programmes, offering training on workers’ rights, health and safety, social security and financial literacy — practical support that helps weaving families plan for the future. 

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Why ethical and fair-trade rugs matter

The handmade rug world supports thousands of artisan families across Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. For many communities, weaving is both a livelihood and a tradition passed down through generations.

But like many traditional industries, it isn’t without challenges. Low wages, limited oversight and the risk of exploitative practices have existed in some areas. Initiatives like STEP work to address these issues directly so that handmade rugs are produced under fair and responsible conditions.

We see the importance of this first-hand. On sourcing trips, Alex spends time with weaving families, checks looms, discusses dye lots and visits wash yards. Those visits shape the decisions we make — from which workshops we partner with to the prices we agree.

STEP’s framework helps reinforce that approach, supporting fair pay, safe conditions and long-term investment in weaving communities. 

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What our collaboration with STEP looks like

Partnering with STEP means our sourcing aligns with internationally recognised fair-trade principles and independent oversight.

In practical terms, that means:

• Working with producers to strengthen fair wages, safe workplaces and respect for workers’ rights
• Supporting independent monitoring and transparency across the supply chain
• Encouraging environmentally responsible production methods
• Backing education and training that empower weaving communities

Like weaving itself, this is careful, ongoing work built on long-term relationships.

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What ethical handmade rugs mean for customers

When you choose one of our handmade rugs, you’re investing in natural materials, thoughtful design and proper craftsmanship — and supporting a more ethical and sustainable rug industry.

Many handmade rugs are crafted from wool, silk and cotton, making them durable, practical and naturally suited to real homes.

By choosing fair-trade handmade rugs, you help support:

• Ethical sourcing of handmade rugs
• Fair wages and safe working conditions for artisans
• Transparent and responsible supply chains
• The preservation of traditional weaving techniques

Rugs of Petworth is proud to be recognised as a STEP partner retailer committed to ethical handmade rugs.

Learn more about our STEP partnership here.

And if you’d like to see these rugs in person, pop into our Petworth showroom — we’re always happy to talk rugs.