The Mother and Child-Friendly Seal for Responsible Business (‘Seal Initiative’) is a locally driven initiative, developed by The Centre for Child Rights and Business Sri Lanka in collaboration with leaders from the tea and tourism industries. Born out of Sri Lankan businesses' own commitment, it reflects the dedication of local stakeholders to building more resilient, sustainable sectors that prioritise the wellbeing of workers, children and families.

The Seal Initiative first launched in the tea sector from 2022 to 2024, starting with regional plantation companies, exporters and Sri Lankan brands. It has since grown to include private and mid-sized estates, smallholder societies, tea factories, brokers, and global brands and retailers. In 2024, we expanded the initiative to the tourism sector after a risk assessment showed the need to address child rights risks and gaps. The Seal Initiative in tourism primarily targets accommodation establishments such as hotels, guesthouses, and homestays, as well as travel agencies and international tour operators.

The goal of the Seal Initiatives is to establish a uniform, transparent and rights-based framework to assess and promote mother and child-friendly practices across the tea and tourism supply chains through continuous improvements.

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.