Our tea factories are certified under ISO 22000:2018, reflecting our commitment to global food safety standards. This certification ensures that our operations align with the latest requirements for safe and hygienic food processing. Products are regularly tested by accredited laboratories to confirm compliance with permissible levels of agro-chemicals, heavy metals, and microbiological content. In addition, our processes undergo routine internal and external audits to maintain high standards of hygiene and safety throughout production. Eight tea processing centers—Stockholm, Gouravilla, Fairlawn, Alton, Bambarakelly, Tilicoultry, Eildonhall and Millakande—achieved ISO 22000:2018 certification. This milestone highlights our proactive approach to food safety and continuous improvement, ensuring that our teas meet both local and international quality expectations.

Neuchatel and Frocester Estates have successfully achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification, a globally recognized standard that outlines the criteria for a robust Quality Management System (QMS). This certification specifically applies to the production and management processes of our rubber products, ensuring that they consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements. By implementing ISO 9001:2015 standards, our estates have demonstrated a commitment to continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction. The certification process involved a thorough evaluation of our quality policies, procedures, and performance metrics, reinforcing our dedication to delivering high-quality products and services.

Under the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard (SAS) 2020 promotes responsible agricultural practices by integrating effective planning, biodiversity conservation, and natural resource management. It also emphasizes sustainable community development through rigorous social and environmental standards. Achieving RA certification enhances the credibility and marketability of the company’s key product lines, especially among environmentally conscious buyers and global markets. By encouraging plantations to comply with SAS standards, it fosters best practices across agricultural value chains, ensuring long-term sustainability, improved livelihoods, and ecosystem protection. This certification is a strategic asset for companies aiming to align with global sustainability benchmarks.

Fair Trade Certification (FLO) was awarded to Stockholm, Alton, Gouravilla, and Frocester Estates, recognizing their commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. This certification has significantly uplifted the estate communities by ensuring fair wages, better working conditions, and community development initiatives. Encouraged by the positive impact, the Company has actively promoted Fair Trade principles across other estates, aiming to extend these socio-economic benefits more broadly. The certification not only enhances the estates' global market credibility but also strengthens their role in responsible trade, aligning with the Company’s long-term sustainability goals.

In alignment with the ISO 14064 standard—part of the ISO 14000 series for environmental management—Horana Plantations has undertaken a comprehensive verification of its greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory. This standard, first published in 2006, outlines the principles and requirements for quantifying and reporting GHG emissions at the organizational level. It encompasses the design, development, management, reporting, and verification of an organization’s GHG inventory. In 2021, Horana Plantations achieved verification under ISO 14064 through certification by the Sri Lanka Climate Fund (SLCF), a public-private partnership operating under the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment. The verification process accounted for all direct and indirect emission sources across our eight tea estates. One of the most significant contributors to our carbon footprint is purchased electricity. To mitigate these emissions, we have implemented strategies to reduce grid electricity consumption by enhancing energy efficiency and promoting the use of renewable energy sources. As part of our energy management efforts, we have set clear targets and continue to refine our carbon management strategy while exploring new opportunities for emission reduction. Currently, the total GHG emissions recorded for our plantations stand at 5,924 tonnes CO₂ per year. Our long-term goal is to achieve carbon neutrality for our tea products by 2030.

All pristine tea gardens of Horana Plantations have obtained the ECO LABEL certification from the National Cleaner Production Centre (NCPC), becoming the first Eco Label-certified tea plantation company in Sri Lanka. Ecolabelling is a voluntary method of environmental performance certification and labelling practiced worldwide. An ecolabel identifies products or services that are proven to be environmentally preferable overall within a specific product or service category. Recognizing the shortcomings of existing environmental labelling programmes in the country, NCPC Sri Lanka collaborated with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) under the One Planet Network Project on Consumer Information for Sustainable Consumption and Production. This initiative aimed to scale up efforts and develop a comprehensive Eco Labelling Scheme in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, NCPC Sri Lanka has pioneered the development of a globally accepted Eco Label certification scheme based on ISO 14024:2018 – Environmental labels and declarations: Type I environmental labelling – Principles and procedures. The ECO LABEL certification is recognized globally in the following GEN (Global Ecolabelling Network) member countries, including China, Japan, Germany, Russia, USA, New Zealand, Israel, and the European Union states. In addition to tea, HPL Rubber has also been certified under the Eco Label – Rubber Scheme, further demonstrating Horana Plantations' commitment to sustainable and environmentally responsible practices.

ISO 14001:2015 is an internationally recognized standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS). It provides a structured framework that organizations can follow to manage their environmental responsibilities in a systematic manner. Unlike other standards, ISO 14001 does not prescribe specific environmental performance criteria. Instead, it focuses on helping organizations develop a robust EMS that supports continuous improvement in environmental performance. The key objectives of ISO 14001 include: • Enhancing resource efficiency • Reducing waste and environmental impact • Lowering operational costs • Ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements • Improving stakeholder confidence and corporate reputation By implementing ISO 14001, organizations demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. It assures internal and external stakeholders—including management, employees, customers, and regulatory bodies—that the organization is actively monitoring, managing, and improving its environmental impact. We are proud to announce that Gouravilla and Fairlawn Tea Factories, operated by Horana Plantations, have successfully achieved ISO 14001:2015 certification. This accreditation reflects the factories’ dedication to sustainable practices, environmental responsibility, and continuous improvement. It also aligns with Horana Plantations’ broader sustainability goals and commitment to responsible tea production.

Great Place To Work Certification recognizes employers who create an outstanding employee experience. Certification is a two-step process that includes surveying your employees and completing a short questionnaire about your workforce. Because employee feedback and independent analysis determine the scores, Certification helps job seekers distinguish which companies genuinely offer a great company culture. Certification gives employers a recruiting advantage by providing a globally recognized and research-backed verification of great employee experience.

ISO 45001 is the international standard for occupational health and safety management systems, designed to help organizations proactively improve safety, reduce workplace risks, and enhance employee well-being. It replaces OHSAS 18001 and is applicable across all industries. Notably, Horana Plantations PLC (HPL) became the first plantation company in Sri Lanka to be certified with ISO 45001, marking a significant milestone in the sector. The certification was awarded to its estates—Alton, Gouravilla, and Fairlawn—demonstrating HPL’s commitment to maintaining high standards in health and safety across its operations.

Horana Plantations PLC has earned the prestigious Ecosystem Restoration Verification Certificate from Preferred by Nature, marking a significant milestone in environmental stewardship in Sri Lanka. As part of the first-ever audits conducted in Asia under the Ecosystem Restoration Standard v3.1, Horana Plantations demonstrated its commitment through the ambitious REGROW initiative, which includes the Maskeliya Oya Project and the Halwathura Project. These efforts aim to restore over 150 hectares of degraded forest land, reconnect fragmented habitats, and enhance biodiversity near vital river basins such as the Kelani and Kalu Ganga. The certification validates Horana Plantations’ alignment with global best practices in ecological restoration, contributing to climate resilience, carbon sequestration, and sustainable land management.

Horana Plantations PLC (HPL) has become the first company in Sri Lanka to establish a management system fully compliant with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), marking a significant milestone in sustainable agriculture. As part of the Hayleys Group, HPL’s certification reflects its commitment to responsible land use, traceability, and environmental stewardship. The system was verified by the global non-profit "Preferred by Nature" and aligns with rigorous standards including sustainable agricultural practices and chain of custody protocols. This achievement not only enhances HPL’s access to EU markets but also sets a new benchmark for the Sri Lankan plantation industry in aligning with global sustainability goals.

The Forest Stewardship Council^TM (FSC^TM) ensures forests are managed ethically, responsibly, and sustainably. It upholds 10 core principles that promote biodiversity, protect indigenous rights, and prevent environmental degradation. Our Rubber and Forest Plantations are FSC-certified, reflecting our commitment to reducing deforestation and social exclusion. This certification validates that our operations meet globally recognized environmental and social standards. By aligning with FSC, we contribute to long-term forest conservation while supporting local communities and ecosystems. Our business model is built on transparency, accountability, and sustainability, reinforcing our dedication to responsible forest management.