Guwahati: In a significant move aimed at improving quality assurance and transparency in India’s domestic tea sector, the Tea Board has introduced a new certification system called “Tea Mark”, designed to help consumers identify verified, traceable tea.
The initiative, announced through an executive order dated March 20, seeks to establish a consumer-visible quality assurance mechanism while strengthening supply chain traceability and market credibility.
Under the scheme, “Tea Mark” will function as a quality certification logo, indicating that the tea has been tested and verified in accordance with existing control orders and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) parameters.
The Tea Board clarified that the certification will be voluntary in nature and will not impose any trade restrictions. However, it is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing consumer trust and promoting better-quality teas in the domestic market.
Only tea manufacturers registered under the Tea (Marketing) Control Order, 2003, will be eligible to apply for the certification.
A key feature of the “Tea Mark” scheme is its emphasis on digital traceability, allowing verification of the tea’s origin and supply chain integrity. The Board will also ensure testing through empanelled laboratories, enforcement of quality standards, clear display of the mark on packaging, and action against misuse, false declarations, or traceability violations.
In a move that signals a broader market shift, the Tea Board has also proposed the development of a dedicated e-commerce platform for Tea Mark-certified products. This platform will facilitate sales while maintaining the credibility of certified teas, with a nominal fee charged to participating users.
The introduction of Tea Mark comes at a time when concerns around quality inconsistency, traceability gaps, and consumer awareness persist in India’s domestic tea market. By creating a recognisable certification, the Board aims to standardise quality benchmarks, boost domestic consumption, strengthen the branding of Indian tea, and improve transparency across the value chain.
The Tea Board will issue detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines in the coming months to operationalise the scheme.
Sources said that while voluntary, the Tea Mark could become a game-changer for branding and trust in India’s domestic tea segment—especially if widely adopted by manufacturers and recognised by consumers.
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