Definition
An annual statement that qualifying organisations must publish setting out the steps they have taken to ensure modern slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in their business or supply chains.
UK Context
Required under section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 for commercial organisations with an annual turnover of 36 million pounds or more. The statement must be approved by the board, signed by a director, and published on the organisation's website. The government maintains a central registry of statements.
Best Practices
- Go beyond a tick-box approach by conducting genuine due diligence on supply chains and publishing meaningful statements
- Train relevant staff, particularly procurement and HR teams, to recognise the signs of modern slavery
- Include specific actions taken, risk assessments conducted, and effectiveness measures in your statement
Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs to publish a modern slavery statement?
Any commercial organisation that carries on business in the UK and has a total annual turnover of 36 million pounds or more. This includes parent companies whose subsidiaries meet the threshold.
What should the statement include?
The Act does not prescribe a format, but suggests including information about the organisation's structure, policies, due diligence processes, risk assessment, effectiveness measures, and training provided.