Modern Slavery Statement
A) ORGANISATION
This statement applies to Abbey Polymers Limited (referred to in this statement as ‘the Organisation’). The information included in the statement refers to the financial year 1st Nov 2024 to 31st October 2025.
B) ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
Abbey Polymers has only one UK location at Stafford. Abbey Polymers acts as a distributor of plastic raw materials for conversion by processes such as injection moulding or extrusion. Our operations only take place within the United Kingdom but our supply base is mainly with the EU.
C) DEFINITIONS
The Organisation considers that modern slavery encompasses:
- Human trafficking;
- Forced work, through mental or physical threat;
- Being owned or controlled by an employer through mental or physical abuse or the threat of abuse;
- Being dehumanised, treated as a commodity or being bought or sold as property;
- Being physically constrained or to have restriction placed on freedom of movement.
D) COMMITMENT
The Organisation has no legal obligation to maintain a Modern Slavery Policy as our turnover is below the Government-set limit of GBP 36 million/year. However, as a responsible employer we acknowledge our responsibilities in relation to tackling modern slavery and commit to complying with the provisions in the Modern Slavery Act 2015 in regard to our own internal operations.
The Organisation does not knowingly enter into business with any other organisation, in the United Kingdom or abroad, which supports or is found to involve itself in slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.
No labour provided to the Organisation in the pursuance of the provision of its own services is obtained by means of slavery or human trafficking. The Organisation strictly adheres to the minimum standards required in relation to its responsibilities under relevant employment legislation in the United Kingdom.
E) SUPPLY CHAINS
In order to fulfil its activities, the Organisation’s main supply chains include those related to polymer supply and production and are mainly based within the European Union. We deal both with compounders but also with intermediary traders in order to source our products for sale.
F) POTENTIAL EXPOSURE
The Organisation considers its main exposure to the risk of slavery and human trafficking to be extremely low as we deal only with European suppliers who we consider to be responsible and reputable.
G) IMPACT OF COVID-19
The Organisation concludes that the COVID-19 pandemic did not adjust the risk of modern slavery to a level above that which existed before the pandemic, which is as set out under ‘POTENTIAL EXPOSURE’ above.
During the pandemic, the Organisation’s employees still had access to the grievance procedure to raise any concerns that they may have had.
In line with emergency legislation passed by the Government, Group employees have been paid Statutory Sick Pay during periods of self-isolation where it has not been possible to agree a temporary period of homeworking.
The Organisation’s modern slavery risks were subject to the same monitoring procedures during the pandemic as at all other times.
H) STEPS
The Organisation carries out due diligence processes in relation to ensuring slavery and/or human trafficking does not take place in its organisation.
The Organisation has not, to its knowledge, conducted any business with another organisation which has been found to have involved itself with modern slavery.
I) KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
The Organisation has set the following key performance indicators to measure its effectiveness in ensuring modern slavery is not taking place in the Organisation.
Maintaining pay levels at or above the Living Wage Foundation level for all employees
J) SLAVERY COMPLIANCE OFFICER
The Organisation has a Slavery Compliance Officer, to whom all concerns regarding modern slavery should be addressed, and who will then undertake relevant action with regard to the Organisation obligations in this regard.
This statement is made in pursuance of Section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and will be reviewed for each financial year.
Date of approval : 1st Nov 2024
Robin Bailey
Director
This declaration is provided electronically and is valid without signature
Modern Slavery statement issue 2 1-11-24