Responsible Sourcing & Ethical Trade Policy

1. Commitment

SriLankaExport.com (operated by Harker International (Pvt) Ltd, Reg. No. PV 00338032, Kandy, Sri Lanka) lists only Sri Lankan exporters whose supply chains can be traced and whose certifications can be verified. We do not list re-exporters, drop-shippers, or third-country products. This Policy sets out the standards Vendors must meet and the buyer-facing claims we are willing to support.

2. Framework

Our approach is aligned with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct We do not claim certification by any body whose certification we have not received. Where we adopt the substance of a framework without formal certification, we say so explicitly.

3. Tea, spices, coconut: food categories

• Food-safety certification. Vendors processing for export must hold one of ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, HACCP, or equivalent recognized by the EU, US FDA, or UK FSA, depending on the destination market. The certification body and certificate number are displayed on the listing.
• Organic claims. “Organic” on a listing requires a current third-party certification (USDA Organic, EU Organic Regulation (EU) 2018/848, Control Union, Ecocert, IMO, Fairtrade, or equivalent). Self-declared organic is not accepted.
• Ceylon-origin claims. “Ceylon” on tea and cinnamon listings is restricted to product 100% grown and processed in Sri Lanka, consistent with the Ceylon Tea Protected Geographical Indication and Pure Ceylon Cinnamon GI. Vendors must hold a current Sri Lanka Tea Board license for Ceylon Tea listings.
• Pesticide and heavy-metal limits. Listings for the EU market must conform to current EU MRL (maximum residue level) regulations. Vendors are responsible for testing; we accept third-party laboratory results at Buyer request.

4. Textiles & apparel

• REACH compliance. Textile listings for the EU market must comply with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH) restrictions, including azo-dye prohibitions and heavy-metal limits for textiles in skin contact.
• OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100. Where claimed, OEKO-TEX certification must be current; the testing institute and certificate number are displayed.
• Child labour exclusion. Sri Lankan law prohibits the employment of children under 16; under 18 for hazardous work. Vendor production facilities must demonstrate compliance through current Department of Labour clearance and the protections set out in the Modern Slavery Statement.
• Children’s clothing. Listings for children’s clothing in the EU market must conform to EN 71 safety standards and azo-free dye certification.
• Living-wage commitment. Vendors are expected to pay at or above the Sri Lankan statutory minimum wage and where feasible to align with the Asia Floor Wage benchmark or an equivalent living-wage standard. We do not certify Vendor wage practices independently; we rely on Sri Lankan Department of Labour oversight.

5. Rubber & industrial products

• Rubber Development Department oversight. Natural rubber listings must originate from estates registered with the Sri Lanka Rubber Development Department; the grade (RSS, TSR, latex concentrate) must be accurately stated.
• Forest stewardship. Rubberwood furniture and rubber products derived from felled rubber trees are an industry by-product. Where Vendors hold FSC, PEFC, or equivalent certification, this is displayed; otherwise listings declare “Sri Lankan plantation rubberwood” without further certification claim.
• REACH and ROHS. Rubber gloves, seals, and industrial components for EU markets must comply with applicable REACH restrictions; electronic components within rubber assemblies must comply with RoHS where relevant.

6. Seafood

• Sri Lanka Department of Fisheries oversight. Seafood Vendors must hold a current Fisheries Department export license; the license number is displayed on the Vendor profile.
• IUU compliance. Vendors must not source from Illegal, Unreported, or Unregulated fishing operations. EU Catch Certificates (under Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008) accompany EU-bound shipments where applicable.
• MSC / ASC certification. Where claimed, MSC (wild-caught) or ASC (aquaculture) certification must be current; the certificate is displayed.
• Yellowfin tuna catch limits. Vendors are required to comply with current Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) catch limits and reporting.

7. What we do not certify

We are a marketplace, not a certifying body. We do not perform our own laboratory testing, on-site audits, or independent verification of Vendor production practices. The “Verified Exporter” badge confirms that we have reviewed the Vendor’s Sri Lanka Business Registration, EDB registration, and the certifications they claim, against the records of the issuing bodies. It does not constitute a guarantee of the Vendor’s ethical practices in every instance. Buyers are responsible for any additional due diligence their own procurement policies require.

8. Audit rights

Where a Buyer’s own due-diligence requirements need on-site or third-party audit access to a Vendor’s production facility, the Vendor is required to cooperate in good faith with such audits at the Buyer’s reasonable expense. Audit findings that reveal material breach of this Policy may result in account suspension under the Vendor Agreement.

9. Reporting concerns

Reports of sourcing-integrity concerns, including mislabeling, child labour, environmental violations, or treatment-non-disclosure, can be made through the channels described in the Whistleblower & Speak-Up Policy or by emailing info@harker.international with subject “Responsible Sourcing concern.” Reports are investigated within 14 days.