India’s ‘Tea Mark’ Quality Certification Scheme

Source: BL

Subject: Agriculture / Economy

Summary:

• Status: A new voluntary quality certification initiative introduced by the state-run Tea Board of India.
• Launch Timeline: Scheduled to be rolled out in May 2026.
• Regulatory Basis: Available to eligible manufacturers registered under the Tea (Marketing) Control Order, 2003.
• Core Objective: To implement traceability, ensure compliance with food safety standards, and prevent issues like adulteration or misrepresentation of origin.
• Key Feature: High emphasis on digital verification and supply chain integrity through empanelled testing laboratories.

Key Provisions & Strategic Significance

1. Nature and Eligibility

• Voluntary Participation: Unlike mandatory FSSAI norms, the ‘Tea Mark’ is a voluntary benchmark for quality-conscious manufacturers.
• Scope: Open to all tea manufacturers registered under the existing 2003 Marketing Control Order.

2. Quality Assurance & Standards

• Verification: Signifies that the tea has been tested against prescribed control orders and food safety standards.
• Anti-Adulteration: Specifically aimed at curbing the blending of inferior teas and ensuring the integrity of the declared origin (e.g., Darjeeling, Assam, Nilgiri).

3. Digital Traceability and Marketing

• Supply Chain Integrity: The Tea Board will use digital tools to track the product from the garden to the final packaging.
• E-commerce Integration: The Board plans to develop a dedicated e-commerce platform to promote and facilitate the sale of certified “Tea Mark” products.
• Legal Enforcement: Includes strict action against the misuse of the logo or any false declarations regarding quality.

4. Context of Indian Tea Industry

• Global Standing: India is the second-largest producer of tea globally and the largest producer of black tea.
• Consumption Trends: National per capita consumption stands at 840 grams annually, with urban areas (925g) outconsuming rural areas (797g).

Examination Focused MCQs

Q1. The ‘Tea Mark’ certification scheme, recently introduced by the Tea Board of India, is:

A) Mandatory for all tea exporters.

B) Voluntary for manufacturers registered under the Tea (Marketing) Control Order, 2003.

C) A compulsory requirement for small tea growers only.

D) Specifically for the import of foreign teas into India.

Q2. Which of the following is a primary objective of the ‘Tea Mark’ scheme?

A) To fix a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for tea leaves.

B) To implement digital traceability and curb tea adulteration.

C) To provide subsidies for tea plantation labor.

D) To nationalize all private tea estates in Darjeeling.

Q3. Regarding India’s tea industry, which of the following statements is correct as per the latest data?

A) India is the world’s largest producer of green tea.

B) India is the second-largest producer of tea globally and the largest producer of black tea.

C) Per capita tea consumption in rural India is higher than in urban India.

D) India is the largest exporter of tea, surpassing China and Kenya.

Q4. Which body is responsible for designing, registering, and popularizing the ‘Tea Mark’ logo?

A) FSSAI

B) APEDA

C) Tea Board of India

D) Ministry of Consumer Affairs

Q5. The ‘Tea Mark’ ensures compliance with standards prescribed under which specific order?

A) Essential Commodities Act, 1955

B) Tea (Marketing) Control Order, 2003

C) Foreign Trade Policy, 2023

D) Plantations Labour Act, 1951

Answer Key:

1. B) Voluntary for manufacturers registered under the Tea (Marketing) Control Order, 2003.
2. B) To implement digital traceability and curb tea adulteration.
3. B) India is the second-largest producer of tea globally and the largest producer of black tea. (Per capita consumption is actually higher in urban areas).
4. C) Tea Board of India.
5. B) Tea (Marketing) Control Order, 2003.