The world’s most celebrated tea is grown in the small region of Darjeeling. Tea from its 80-some plantations is as unique as it is rare. Over years, falsely labeled Darjeeling teas have become a growing concern on the global market, where over 80 percent of teas labeled Darjeeling are in fact overpriced commercial teas originated from places like China or Sri Lanka.

Tea Board India

In 1953, India’s Government established the Tea Board India in order to curb sales of counterfeit Darjeeling teas. To this day, the Tea Board India oversees all stages of tea cultivation, processing as well as sale of teas - including the Darjeeling segment. The Darjeeling Planter’s Association - the sole producer’s forum for Darjeeling tea - has since been working in close cooperation with the Tea Board India.

Darjeeling Logo

Not until 1983 did the Tea Board India create a logo which - once trade marked - would help deliver the authentic product to customers worldwide, and prevent the misuse of the name ‘Darjeeling’ for other teas sold internationally.

Since the logo’s creation in 1983, it has been registered in various jurisdiction of Europe, Asia and the Americas. The Tea Board India also fought for home protection of the Darjeeling region’s name to keep foreign entities from trade marking ‘Darjeeling’, and deceiving customers with wrongly labeled Darjeeling products.

Certification

Under the Geographical Indication of Goods Act established in 1999 - and enforced since September of 2003 - the Tea Board India filed for the name ‘Darjeeling’ to be registered as a geographical indication, which effectively prevented anyone else from acquiring the name.

Registration with the Tea Board India, and certification of Darjeeling tea exports today ensures the supply-chain integrity of Darjeeling teas sold on the global market.

Areas of Concern

Darjeeling tea sold as certified by the Tea Board India is required to consist of 100% Darjeeling tea, and not be blended with teas from other regions. The Tea Board India spends hundreds of thousands of dollars for international watch agencies and to combat continuing infringements in overseas jurisdictions.

The welfare of regional plantation workers are put at risk whenever their geographical region name is falsified. In order to protect Darjeeling’s geographical indication rights, the Tea Board India extends phenomenal amounts of resources for worldwide protection and enforcements. Despite the economic strain caused by expenses involved in complex monitoring mechanisms of the international market, the Tea Board India is continuing to strive for the protection of Darjeeling teas for the benefit of producers as well as consumers.