The Responsible Contracting Project (RCP) prepared the TMCs in conjunction with members of the ETP (formerly Ethical Tea Partnership) and with input from civil society partners. The clauses are intended to provide guiding principles to ETP members and other actors operating across the tea sector, in particular, the growing number of tea enterprises that seek to distinguish themselves as responsible actors. The Framing Memo serves as an accompanying guide to and complements the implementation of the TMCs.

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Alignment With Hard Law 

The TMCs and the guidance in the Framing Memo will also help buyers, suppliers, and their partners align with evolving legal standards on human rights and environmental due diligence (HREDD). While companies cannot expect to meet the requirements of new regulations, such as the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), by adding clauses to their contracts alone, responsible contracts are a critical component of an effective due diligence process.