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.



KEY FEATURES AND PRINCIPLES:


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


HOW DOES IT WORK?


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:





BENEFITS OF SUPPORTING THE MOTHER AND CHILD-FRIENDLY SEAL FOR RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS:

 

  • 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

 


HOW TO JOIN THE SEAL INITIATIVE - 4 SIMPLE STEPS:


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.


Seal Initiatives in Sri Lanka

Explore our Work (Seal Initiatives)

New Initiative Launched on World Tourism Day to Tackle Child Rights Risks in the Tourism Sector for Businesses
25/09/2024 | News
New Initiative Launched on World Tourism Day to Tackle Child Rights Risks in the Tourism Sector for Businesses
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/index.php/news-and-events/new-initiative-launched-on-world-tourism-day-to-tackle-child-rights-risks-in-the-tourism-sector-for-businesses
Experiential Workshop on Sustainable Agro-Tourism at Amba Estate, Uva Province, Sri Lanka | August 12-14, 2024
19/07/2024 | News
Experiential Workshop on Sustainable Agro-Tourism at Amba Estate, Uva Province, Sri Lanka | August 12-14, 2024
Together with Amba Estate, we're facilitating a workshop for small to medium-sized tea estates and factory owners this August in Sri Lanka.
Read More
/index.php/news-and-events/experiential-workshop-on-sustainable-agro-tourism-at-amba-estate-uva-province-sri-lanka-august-12-14-2024
Highlights from the 2024 Co-Creating a Family-Friendly Tea Conference
26/06/2024 | News
Highlights from the 2024 Co-Creating a Family-Friendly Tea Conference
This year's conference highlighted human rights and dignity of workers on smallholder farms and small to mid-sized estates.
Read More
/index.php/news-and-events/highlights-from-the-2024-co-creating-a-family-friendly-tea-conference
Sustainable Menstrual Hygiene Management in Sri Lanka's Tea Plantations
28/05/2024 | Our Impact
Sustainable Menstrual Hygiene Management in Sri Lanka's Tea Plantations
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/index.php/impact/sustainable-menstrual-hygiene-management-in-sri-lanka-s-tea-plantations
2024 Sri Lanka Seal Challenge Round 2 Launch: Human Rights in Business for Tea Smallholders, Private Tea Estates and Tea Farmers
21/05/2024 | News
2024 Sri Lanka Seal Challenge Round 2 Launch: Human Rights in Business for Tea Smallholders, Private Tea Estates and Tea Farmers
Submit your concept notes for a chance to secure funding support and/or technical guidance.
Read More
/index.php/news-and-events/2024-sri-lanka-seal-challenge-round-2-launch-human-rights-in-business-for-tea-smallholders-private-tea-estates-and-tea-farmers
Co-Creating A Family-Friendly Tea Industry Held on May 21 Focusing on Smallholders and Small Private Estates
20/05/2024 | News
Co-Creating A Family-Friendly Tea Industry Held on May 21 Focusing on Smallholders and Small Private Estates
Our annual conference in Sri Lanka is back, this time focusing on tea smallholder farms and private small and mid-sized estates.
Read More
/index.php/news-and-events/co-creating-a-family-friendly-tea-industry-held-on-may-21-focusing-on-smallholders-and-small-private-estates
2024 Sri Lanka Seal Challenge Round 1 Launch: Co-Funding Opportunity for Tea Companies to Empower Gender Equality
06/03/2024 | News
2024 Sri Lanka Seal Challenge Round 1 Launch: Co-Funding Opportunity for Tea Companies to Empower Gender Equality
Submit your concept notes for a chance to secure funding support and/or technical guidance.
Read More
/index.php/news-and-events/2024-sri-lanka-seal-challenge-round-1-launch-co-funding-opportunity-for-tea-companies-to-empower-gender-equality-in-the-tea-sector
Making History: First-Ever Female Field Staff Supervisors in Sri Lanka Start Work at Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC
04/03/2024 | Our Impact
Making History: First-Ever Female Field Staff Supervisors in Sri Lanka Start Work at Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC
Read More
/index.php/impact/making-history-through-equality-first-ever-female-field-staff-supervisors-in-sri-lanka-start-work-at-talawakelle-tea-estates-plc
“MCFS”: The Mother and Child-Friendly Seal Now Identifiable at Colombo Tea Auction
23/01/2024 | News
“MCFS”: The Mother and Child-Friendly Seal Now Identifiable at Colombo Tea Auction
The Mother and Child-Friendly Seal for Responsible Business ("MCFS") logo is now featured in Colombo Tea Auction broker catalogues, making it simple for brokers and buyers to recognise and support businesses promoting positive impacts for women and children.
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/index.php/news-and-events/mcfs-the-mother-and-child-friendly-seal-now-identifiable-at-colombo-tea-auction
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How Brands and Retailers Can Support Women and Children in Sri Lanka’s Tea Industry

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Advancing Human Rights and Responsible Business Practices in Tourism

The Seal Initiative in Sri Lanka is paving the way towards a sustainable tourism industry that puts people first.

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