ANTI-SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING STATEMENT

Introduction from the CEO

We are committed to improving our practices to combat slavery and human trafficking. Exploitation has no place in our business or our supply chain and we expect everyone we deal with to aim for the same high standards w strive for. We value a diverse workforce where equality is promoted and individuals feel able to raise any concerns without recrimination.
Rolf Sandor

Organisation's structure

We are a provider of protective clothing and specialist surgical consumables in the healthcare sector. We have 5 employees. We operate in the UK and distribute to countries in Europe .

We have an annual turnover of £ 1,600,000

Our business

Our business is managed by the managing Director who reports to the owners.  All operations are located in Kent.

Our supply chains

Our supply chains include: Surgical materials, plastics, tubings and packaging from the UK, Europe, Turkey and China.

Our policies on slavery and human trafficking

We are committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains or in any part of our business. Our Anti-slavery and Human Trafficking Policy reflects our commitment to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking is not taking place anywhere in our supply chains.

We have also developed a Code of Conduct and Guidance for our supply chain to adhere to which includes our commitment to combatting modern slavery. The Code includes standards on a number of areas which are all directly or indirectly linked to preventing slavery in our supply chain. The Code is backed up by an audit document which enables us to assess how well our supply chain partners are meeting our standards.

Due diligence processes for slavery and human trafficking

As part of our initiative to identify and mitigate risk we have developed a due diligence questionnaire for use with our supply chain partners.

We have in place systems to:

• Identify and assess potential risk areas in our supply chains.
• Mitigate the risk of slavery and human trafficking occurring in our supply chains.
• Monitor potential risk areas in our supply chains.
• Protect whistle blowers.

Supplier adherence to our values

We have zero tolerance to slavery and human trafficking. To ensure all those in our supply chain and contractors comply with our values we have in place a supply chain compliance programme. This consists of: due diligence questionnaire, Code of Conduct and guidance, Compliance and Audit process.

Training

To ensure a high level of understanding of the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in our supply chains and our business, we provide training to our staff. We also encourage our business partners to provide training to their staff and suppliers and providers.

Our effectiveness in combating slavery and human trafficking

We use the following key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure how effective we have been to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in any part of our business or supply chains:

• Vetting procedures. Vetting procedure was followed for adding new major suppliers
• Supplier screening. In 2022 we continued to use  a questionnaire that for our screening process that will eventually be introduced to all major suppliers.
• Map Supply Chain. We concluded mapping our supply chain using resources from  www.globalslaveryindex.org and we have determined that suppliers in China and Turkey are at more risk to modern slavery.
• Tier of supplier. In 2022 have continued using our vetting process for new major suppliers.
• Subcontractor inspections. IN 2022 no subrcontractor inspections took place due to the ongoing effects of Covid, These are being planned for 2023
• Whistleblowing . whistleblowing policy has been followed and no issues have been reported.
• Training . 100% of staff have been trained on anti-slavery and this is now part of all existing and new employees training plans and records.
• Remedial action. No instances of remedial action have been needed.

Further steps

Following a review of the effectiveness of the steps we have taken this year to ensure that there is no slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains we intend to take the following further steps to combat slavery and human trafficking:

• Vetting procedures .  In 2023 we intend to roll out our vetting procedures to each of our significant suppliers
• Supplier screening . In 2023 we will screen each of our major suppliers.
• Map Supply Chain.   Based on the information from www.globalslaveryindex.org we will prioritise screening and vetting our suppliers in China and Turkey.
• Tier of supplier. In 2023 we intend to roll out our questionnaire to all major suppliers in tier 1 and to get to Tier 2 with our suppliers in China and Turkey.
• Subcontractor inspections . In 2023  we will do an on-site inspection of one of our major suppliers in China or Turkey.
• Whistleblowing. We will continue to monitor this and ensure that suppliers have translated this into their own language for their employees.
• Training. Training on anti-slavery will continue to be a priority and we will look for additional resources to train our staff on.

This statement is made on a voluntary basis, further to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our slavery and human trafficking statement for 2022-01-01 to 2022-12-31

It was approved by the board on 2023-05-06

Rolf Sandor
Managing Director
Paramount Medical Solutions Limited