MENU Anti slavery act Sumika Polymer Compounds Europe > Anti slavery act 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. (“SPCF”), Sumika Polymer Compounds (India) Pvt Ltd (“SPCI”), Sumika Polymer Compounds Turkey Plastik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. and Almen Plastik A.S (“SPCT”), (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 2020 and ending 31 March 2021. 2. Our Business SPCEU is the parent company of the Sumika Polymer Compounds group in Europe comprising companies in the U.K., France, Turkey and India. The group develops and manufactures plastic compounds, employing approximately 250 people across all group companies. The SPCEU Group has a global annual turnover of £100M. 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 four Japanese corporate shareholders – Sumitomo Chemical Co. (“SCC”), Toyo Ink, Itochu Europe plc and Itochu Corporation -, as well as unrelated suppliers. 4. Policies The SPCEU Group implements policies 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 https://www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp/english/sustainability/files/docs/statement_20200401e.pdf 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 be encouraged to identify and report any potential breaches of our anti-slavery and human trafficking policy. Over 100 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 50% of its suppliers’ anti-slavery policies and processes. Of the suppliers reviewed, SPCUK considered 2 initial responses did not present adequate anti-slavery policies and processes. Further investigation and communication with these suppliers confirmed adequate anti-slavery measures are in place in these companies. Across the SPCEU Group, no suppliers have objected to the inclusion of standard contractual anti-slavery wording or required substantive amendments. 42% of staff have been trained in identifying and mitigating risks of modern slavery. SPCI and SPCT 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 2021. Ludovic Seynave President Sumika Polymer Compounds (Europe) Ltd Date: 30 September 2021 News DISCOVER OUR LATEST NEWS Sumika Polymer Compounds now produces THERMOFIL HP® in Turkey September 20, 2021 Sumika Polymer Compounds Turkey (formerly Emaş Group), a predominant player in the Turkish compounding market, is now manufacturing the company’s THERMOFIL HP® (high … 09/20/2021 read more Sumika Polymer Compounds Europe continues its growth and announces the creation of a new subsidiary. The board gives its green light to this new company to be set up this year in Poland: “Sumika Polymer Compounds Poland Sp.z o.o.”(SPCP). With historical … 02/10/2021 read more Sumika Polymer Compounds (UK) Ltd 28 New Lane Havant Hampshire PO9 2NQ United Kingdom +44(0) 23 9248 6350 Find us on Google Map SPC UK Speak-Up Sumika Polymer Compounds (France) S.A. 5 Avenue Marie Curie ZI du bois de Leuze 13310 Saint Martin de Crau France +33(0)4 90 47 46 20 Find us on Google Map SPC FR Speak-Up HOME ABOUT US Overview History Owners Doing business with us Locations / Sister companies PRODUCTS THERMOFIL™ ESPOLEX™ Sustainable solutions Our Automotive Solutions NEWS Release Sumitomo New SUSTAINABILITY Our vision Operation Clean Sweep® CONTACT Contact us Locations / Sister companies ©2019 SPC Europe - All right reserved - Legal notice - Sitemap - Anti slavery act - Tax strategy - Cookies policy - Terms and conditions - Website acceptable use policy We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. OkNoPrivacy policy