A certification scheme to protect the integrity of Ceylon Tea

Ceylon Tea, the world’s most celebrated brew, reached a new milestone this week with the successful completion of the “Ceylon Tea Value Creation Through the Development of Geographical Indication (GI) and International Quality Certifications” project — an initiative backed by the French Development Agency (AFD), with technical support from the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) and the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS).

- BY IFHAM NIZAM

Attendees of the GI conference.

The initiative, which began in 2021, is expected to position Ceylon Tea alongside globally protected products such as Champagne and Roquefort — elevating its prestige, safeguarding authenticity, and ensuring fair value for Sri Lankan producers.

Speaking at the topic Perspectives on Geographical Indications in Sri Lanka, yesterday at Hilton Colombo Residence, French Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Rémi Lambert, hailed the occasion as “a significant step in Sri Lanka’s path toward protecting more of its unique products.”

“This project has helped to collectively define what makes Ceylon Tea unique —a product renowned around the world for 150 years and one of Sri Lanka’s main exports. With its upcoming registration in the European Union, Sri Lanka will gain a powerful legal instrument to protect the name of Ceylon Tea, strengthening consumer confidence, and supporting the people whose expertise and dedication uphold its reputation, Lambert said.