Although initiated and generally coordinated by UNESCO, several partner NGOs implement the program at regional and national levels.
Products are submitted annually between April and June and judging takes place in September by an international panel of experts selected by UNESCO.
The program was established to promote the handicraft sector, which play an important economic and social role in developing countries.
The award aims to promote sustainable livelihoods as well as encourage the continued use of traditional knowledge.
The general criteria, which was updated for 2007, includes Pre-conditions include considerations of social responsibility in product, and that the product classify as a handicraft according to the definition that appears on UNESCO Bangkok's Seal of Excellence website The Seal was launched in South East Asia in 2001.