This Modern Slavery Code of Conduct (the “Code”) sets out the minimum standards that we expect from all customers, contractors and suppliers (“Partners”) working with Trusted Shops.
We expect our Partners to share our commitment to respecting the rights of all workers and to act lawfully and ethically in all areas of business. Not only do we ensure that modern slavery is not taking place within our own organisation, we also work to ensure it is not occurring within our supply chains.
It is a condition of all customer, supply and vendor contracts entered into with Trusted Shops that the principles set out in this Code are adhered to.
Minimum Standards
This Code establishes minimum standards that we expect to meet or exceed.
These standards do not intend to deviate from national or local laws or standards.
Failure to meet these standards may be cause for termination of any agreement entered into with Trusted Shops.
Child labour
We are opposed to the use of any form of child labour or practices. Our Partners must not use child labour.
Partners are required to comply with applicable child labour laws and employ only workers who meet the applicable minimum legal age requirement in their countries of operation.
Generally:
- the minimum working age is 15 years (or 14 if allowed by national or local law)
- workers under the age of 18 years are not to be involved in any work that is hazardous or likely to have a negative impact on the employee’s physical or mental development.
- Partners are to ensure the above protection for workers under the age of 18 years.
- Partners must not contract with subcontractors or suppliers who use or engage in child labour.
Forced or involuntary labour & trafficking
Trusted Shops’ Partners must not participate, engage or promote forced, bonded, indentured or involuntary prison labour of people in any part of its business.
Trusted Shops’ Partners must not participate, engage or promote the trafficking of any person.
All slavery and human trafficking laws must be complied with. Partners must ensure they have taken steps to ensure their business operations are free from slavery and human trafficking practices, both internally and within their supply chains and other external business relationships.
Partners are to ensure that all workers employed by them choose their employment freely and are not mentally or physically coerced to provide their labour.
Partners must not contract with subcontractors or suppliers using or engaging in modern slavery or trafficking.
Compliance
Partners shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that modern slavery and human trafficking is not taking place within their supply chain or within any part of their business. Partners must adhere to this Code along with all applicable national and local laws.
Partners must be able to certify that materials included in their products comply with all requisite slavery and human trafficking laws. Trusted Shops may at any time request a supplier or contractor to supply a report setting out the steps they have taken to ensure that modern slavery and human trafficking is not taking place within their business or within their supply chain.
Partners have a duty to immediately report to Trusted Shops any breach of or deviation from this Code.
If a customer, contractor or supplier breaches this Code, we reserve the right to request from the supplier or contractor a corrective action plan. This plan is to set out the steps that the supplier or contractor will undertake to rectify the breach. Should the corrective action plan not rectify the breach and depending on the severity of the breach, we reserve the right to terminate any contractual relationship that exists.