An ABC investigation in Sri Lanka has found popular certification schemes are failing to live up to their ethical promises.

On one estate visited by the ABC, we met tea plucker Vimaladevi, who showed us inside the one-bedroom home where she lives with seven family members.

“I was born in this house and all my children were born here,” she said.

This plantation has Rainforest Alliance certification and is on the supplier list of Tetley, Dilmah, Lipton, Twinings and Yorkshire Tea.

Under Rainforest Alliance certification, these houses need to be “safe, clean and decent”, but Vimaladevi’s roof is damaged and her home regularly floods.

During the dry season, there’s no drinking water. Early last year “for three months we didn’t have water,” she said.

Despite Rainforest Alliance requiring audits to ensure that standards are met, Vimaladevi said she’s never met an auditor.

“Nobody’s come to see our house. You’re the only one to come and see.”