The Mother and Child-Friendly Seal for Responsible Business is a business-led, locally driven framework advancing the well-being of women, children and communities in Sri Lanka’s tea and tourism industries.

Unlike traditional compliance programmes that focus on ticking boxes, the Seal is designed for real, lasting community impact. It’s shaped by businesses themselves; each company chooses its own improvement pathway and pace, focusing on the issues that matter most to them. The Centre provides expert guidance, support and independent evaluation along the way.

By committing to continuous, meaningful action, businesses lay the groundwork for a more resilient and sustainable industry. At its core, the Seal promotes dignity, equity and opportunity for women, and a better future for the communities that power Sri Lanka’s tea and tourism sectors.

THE SEAL INITIATIVE'S MISSION

To establish a transparent, rights-based framework that empowers Sri Lanka’s formal tea and tourism businesses to build family-friendly supply chains, invest in the well-being of children and women, and lead the way in sustainable, responsible business.

The Seal Initiative is guided by the following features and principles.

The Mother and Child-Friendly Seal for Responsible Business isn’t a one-size-fits-all model. Instead, it looks at where each business is starting from and focuses on the progress they’re making to improve the well-being of women, children and families in their communities. It’s a flexible, evolving approach: businesses stay certified by continuously improving their practices, not just by ticking boxes.

Five Components:

The Process:

• Contributes towards a the building of a long-term, sustainable tea and tourism industry that is equipped to pragmatically tackle the challenges of tomorrow, including labour shortages

• Demonstrates commitment to responsible, family-friendly practices across supply chains

• Provides a practical framework to identify and reduce risks such as child exploitation and unsafe working conditions

• Supports human rights due diligence while delivering real, lasting improvements for communities

• Encourages collaboration with stakeholders to drive collective impact and improve essential services like education, healthcare, and social protection

• Recognises ongoing efforts and promotes continuous improvement rather than fixed compliance

• Aligns with sustainable development goals and contributes to the well-being of women, children, and families

• Join a growing community shaping a more inclusive, ethical, and family-friendly tourism and tea industry

Get in touch to explore how your business can join the Seal Initiative. Once you're on board, your journey will follow these four steps:

• Step 1: Meet Legal Requirements
  Demonstrate that your business is in compliance with Sri Lankan labour laws.
  
  

• Step  2: Complete a Self-Assessment
  Evaluate your current practices across the five key areas of the Seal.
  
  

• Step  3: Start Your Improvement Journey
  Follow a clear pathway with milestones to improve practices and create more impact for women, children, and families.
  
  

• Step  4: Earn Your Seal Level
  As you make progress, you’ll be awarded one of four Seal levels—from Explorer to Champion—recognising your ongoing commitment and leadership.

Please email us to learn more.