Sumika Polymer Compounds Group Statement against Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
1. About the Statement
Sumika Polymer Compounds (Europe) Ltd (“SPCEU”) and its subsidiaries Sumika Polymer Compounds (UK) Ltd (“SPCUK”), Sumika Polymer Compounds (France) S.A. (“SPCFR”), Sumika Polymer Compounds (India) Pvt Ltd (“SPCI”), Sumika Polymer Compounds Poland Sp.z o.o. (“SPCPL”), Sumika Polymer Compounds Turkey Plastik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. and Almen Plastik A.S (“SPCTR”), (together, the “SPCEU Group”)are fully committed to promoting human rights and preventing acts of modern slavery and human trafficking from occurring within its business and supply chain, and imposes the same high standards on its suppliers. This annual statement is made as part of its public commitment to promote human rights and pursuant to s54 of the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the U.S. California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010, and with consideration for the requirements of other laws and regulations in relation to modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, child labour and respect for human rights. This statement is made for the financial year commencing 1 April 2021 and ending 31 March 2022.
2. Our Business
SPCEU is the parent company of the Sumika Polymer Compounds group in Europe comprising companies in the U.K., France, Turkey, Poland, and India. The group develops and manufactures plastic compounds, employing approximately 275 people across all group companies.
The SPCEU Group has a global annual turnover in the region of £120M. To find out more about the nature of our business, please click www.sumikaeurope.com.
3. Our Supply Chain
Our business requires the purchase of various raw materials including polymers, chopped strand glass fibre, minerals such as talc and chalk, coupling agents, colourants, and other chemical additives. The suppliers we work with include companies affiliated with SPCEU’s Japanese corporate shareholders – Sumitomo Chemical Co. (“SCC”) and Toyo Ink, as well as unrelated suppliers.
4. Policies
The SPCEU Group implements policies mainly put in place by the majority shareholder, SCC.
The SPCEU Group categorically rejects modern slavery, including forced, bonded or forced labour, bondage, deceptive employment, lineage slavery and human trafficking. As part of our commitment to combating modern slavery, we have in place a code of conduct which sets forth a requirement that all relevant personnel must respect the human rights of others and comply with applicable laws, regulations and ethical standards.
In April 2019, the SCC Group established the “Sumitomo Chemical Group Human Rights Policy” based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Labour Organization Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, that includes the prohibition of forced labour and child labour.
The SCC Group statement against Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking can be accessed by clicking statement_20220401e-1.pdf (sumitomo-chem.com.sg)
The SPCEU Group places high importance on building a reporting system in order to capture at an early stage signs of compliance violation, including any concern of SPCEU Group’s business having been involved in modern slavery or human trafficking, and to make sure those issues detected are removed promptly and appropriate measures are taken swiftly. Under our Speak-Up Reporting System any employee or third party can report any violation or suspected violation of compliance to the compliance committee or other similar governing committee through several different internal and external channels, including an external platform available for suppliers and anyone having any involvement in the companies’ business activities to report any concerns.
5. Due diligence
It is SPCEU Group’s policy to only procure supplies such as raw materials and packaging materials from suppliers that operate their business in a socially responsible manner, including operating their business free from modern slavery or human trafficking. As part of our efforts to monitor and reduce the risk of slavery and human trafficking occurring within our supply chains, we have due diligence procedures which are designed to:
- establish and assess areas of potential risk in our business and supply chains;
- monitor potential risk areas in our business and supply chains;
- reduce the risk of slavery and human trafficking occurring in our business and supply chains;
- provide adequate protection for whistle-blowers.
The standard contractual terms of the SPCEU Group, incorporate a human rights clause that requires our supply chain to promise and certify to compliance with laws and regulations in respect of management of human rights risk including prohibition of modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and child labour.
6. Risk and compliance
SPCEU continues to evaluate the nature and extent of its exposure to the risk of modern slavery occurring in its supply chain by undertaking periodic surveys of the companies that supply its subsidiaries regarding their anti-slavery policies and processes.
Where we identify a potential risk, we will engage with those suppliers to establish appropriate measures and actions to address the risk, which may include focussed requests for improvement and/or offering to provide guidance and training to our suppliers and their supply chain. By seeking to raise awareness and cooperation in ensuring responsible procurement, SPCEU aims to prosper alongside our suppliers.
7. Training
We have invested in educating our staff to recognise the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in our business and supply chains. Through our training programmes, employees are encouraged to identify and report any potential breaches of our anti-slavery and human trafficking policy. The majority of our employees have so far been taught the benefits of stringent measures to tackle slavery and human trafficking, as well as the consequences of failing to eradicate slavery and human trafficking from our business and supply chains.
8. Effectiveness and KPIs
During this reporting year:
- SPCUK has assessed 100% of its new suppliers’ anti-slavery policies and processes.
- Of the suppliers’ responses, SPCUK considered 2 initial responses did not present adequate anti-slavery policies and processes. SPCUK is in further communication with both suppliers and has offered support to help them put the associated policies and procedures in place. Further investigation has concluded that adequate anti-slavery measures are in place.
- Across the SPCEU Group, no suppliers have objected to the inclusion of standard contractual anti-slavery wording or required substantive amendments.
- 81% of staff across the SPCEU Group have been trained in identifying and mitigating risks of modern slavery.
- SPCUK, SPCI, SPCPL, SPCFR and SPCTR now include anti-slavery questions as part of their new supplier approval processes.
9. Looking Ahead
The SPCEU Group believes that the promotion of respect for human rights and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations and ethical standards, including those relevant to modern slavery and human trafficking, is vital for operating its business in a sustainable manner. As such, SPCEU Group will continue its initiatives as described above, to identify and address any issues associated with modern slavery and human trafficking throughout its operations and supply chains.
This statement was approved by the Board of Directors of SPCEU on 30 September 2022.
Ludovic Seynave
President
Sumika Polymer Compounds (Europe) Ltd
Date: 30 September 2022