Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking Statement 2017/18
The Modern Slavery Act 2015 was passed in the UK in recognition that throughout the world there are offences of slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking. It highlights the need for discourse and awareness of the topic and requires UK businesses to produce a statement regarding the steps they have taken throughout the financial year to demonstrate the part they have played in mitigating this issue.
We at Jellycat are determined that slavery or human trafficking in any form should not enter in to our supply chain; that the integrity with which our products are created should be upheld all the way through the manufacturing process and beyond.
We have a Head Office in London, a UK a warehouse facility and an office in Minneapolis, USA. In all locations there is an awareness of the risks and senior management have a clear directive to report any concerns in relation to Modern Slavery and to act upon them without delay.
Our supply chain, the people who help us make and deliver our products, is one that that works directly with manufacturers in Asia, international shippers and 3rd party warehouses in Hong Kong and Minneapolis, USA.
Since our establishment in 1999 we have strived to develop, maintain and uphold direct and sustainable relationships with all our manufacturers and suppliers as this provides us with a transparency throughout every step of the manufacturing process. It also encourages a partnership based on honesty and openness. We have always assessed and audited any new manufacturer before any production goes ahead with the Jellycat Code of Practice. Subsequent annual audits are made wherever any Jellycat design is manufactured, which include worker interviews, document reviews including pay and site tours. These assessments and audits can be planned or happen unannounced and they are made by both 3rd parties and senior Jellycat personnel.
We have an ongoing dialogue of direct communication with key partners within the supply chain which re-iterates the values integral to our business and that these need to be adhered to within their supply chain too. Our integrity in support of the removal of modern slavery will not be compromised and any breach in the supply chain will face appropriate action which would include the termination of contracts.
As a company who attaches huge importance to due diligence in the safety of our product, we will be extending this to ensuring we develop a stand alone anti-slavery policy. We will be focusing on working with our manufacturing partners to not only check that Modern Slavery is not happening but we will also introduce training to help identify potential risks within their own supply chain and to encourage the reporting of concerns and the protection of whistle blowers.
This statement is made in reference to section 54 (1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 for the financial year 2017-2018.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
William Gatacre, Managing Director
