Modern Slavery Statement

Introduction

Modern slavery is a grave violation of human rights and an inhumane practice that strips individuals of their liberty and dignity for the benefit of others. This issue affects millions globally, including in developed nations, where people are exploited in various forms of slavery. All businesses, regardless of size or sector, face the risk of being connected to this crime through their operations or supply chains.

At zinnylastica, we maintain a zero-tolerance stance on modern slavery and are committed to ensuring that it does not occur in any part of our business or supply chain. This statement outlines the proactive steps we have taken to identify and mitigate risks related to modern slavery and human trafficking.

Our Business and Supply Chains

zinnylastica is an online retail business based in the United Kingdom. We are committed to building trusted and ethical relationships with our suppliers. Our selection and onboarding processes involve due diligence checks, including assessments of the supplier’s legal compliance, reputation, health and safety practices, and working standards.

We have not received any allegations of slavery or human trafficking involving our suppliers. Should such concerns arise, we would take immediate and appropriate action, including reporting to the relevant authorities.

Risk Assessment

We conducted a risk assessment to better understand where modern slavery risks may exist within our supply chain. This included consideration of:

  • Country-level risks (as identified in the Global Slavery Index)
  • The nature of services or goods provided
  • The presence of vulnerable populations
  • Public reporting and insights from human rights organizations

This assessment informs our strategy and controls.

Our Policies

We operate with the following key policies to combat modern slavery:

  • Whistleblowing Policy: Encourages anyone (staff, suppliers, customers) to report concerns confidentially without fear of retaliation.
  • Code of Conduct: Outlines expected ethical behavior of employees and reinforces our values across all levels.
  • Purchasing Code: Updated to include explicit clauses addressing slavery and human trafficking in all supplier agreements.

Supplier Due Diligence

Our vetting process for suppliers includes:

  • Evaluating the nature and risk level of supplied services or products
  • Periodic audits and reviews of labor practices and contracts
  • Requiring corrective actions when needed
  • Discontinuing partnerships with suppliers who fail to meet our standards

We Require All Suppliers to Attest That:

  • They do not engage in forced, bonded, or slave labor
  • Employees are free to leave work and are not coerced into employment
  • All workers have formal contracts with fair notice periods
  • No deposits or salary withholding practices are used
  • Employees are not required to surrender passports or identification documents

Awareness and Training

To raise awareness of modern slavery, we have:

  • Communicated our policies to all staff via email
  • Shared red flags and reporting mechanisms
  • Displayed informational posters in shared workspaces

Additionally, we have introduced a new e-learning course for employees and supplier contacts. This training includes:

  • Definitions and forms of modern slavery
  • How to identify risk indicators
  • How to respond to concerns
  • Supplier responsibilities and escalation protocols
  • Support resources for victims

Monitoring and Performance

We track our progress through the following key indicators:

  • Completion rates of mandatory training
  • Supplier engagement with our ethics questionnaire
  • Implementation of equivalent awareness programs by our suppliers
  • Internal reports that reflect growing awareness of ethical practices
  • Reviews by our internal team focused on human rights and supply chain integrity

Review and Approval

This statement covers the period from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2022 and has been reviewed and approved by the leadership of zinnylastica.