Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement 2020/21
This statement has been published in accordance with Modern Slavery Act 2015. It sets out the steps taken by the companies of Westlab during FY 2020-22 to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in its business and supply chains.
Slavery, forced labour, servitude and human trafficking (modern labour) are issues of growing global concern, affecting all sectors, regions and economies. We consider modern slavery and human trafficking to be abhorrent crimes and fundamentally unacceptable within our business and supply chains, We are committed to conduct business in an ethical manner, to a high standard, wherever we operate, and upholding our responsibility to be alert to the risks in our business and in the wider supply chain.
About Westlab Group
Westlab’s key goal is to enable your discovery by becoming a major supplier to the healthcare and laboratory sectors. The team at Westlab are always looking ahead and are proactive and innovative in the way we push the surge of discovery. We are always driven by the vision of a world of breakthrough discoveries. Westlab currently employs over 60 people directly and have operations in Australia, New Zealand and North America.
The following statement applies to all companies under the Westlab Group, including:
- Westlab Pty Ltd
- Westlab International Ltd
- Westlab New Zealand Ltd
Our Supply Chain
At Westlab, we recognise the importance of a verified and trusted supply chain. We hold long standing, validated relationships with our suppliers, and implement our proven methodology when establishing new partnerships.
Specific steps we take to ensure our suppliers comply with the high standards we expect include:
- Partner with top tier law firms to negotiate new supply agreements, validate supplier legitimacy and ability to supply
- Anti-bribery & anti-slavery clauses included in all supply agreements.
- Third party audit assessments by globally recognised bodies i.e. Intertek, specifically focussing on social compliance.
- Third-part quality control audit assessments of goods by independent auditors
- Regular review meetings and sharing of HR documentation & audit reporting.
- Management visits to key partner factories as part of our own due diligence process
- If required, CAPAR Reports (Corrective Action & Improvement Plans) will be implemented and closely monitored until we are satisfied the supplier has rectified any issues, or we will cease our trading relationship with that supplier
Policies and Contractual Controls
We have established several internal policies pertinent to ensuring we are conducting business to the high standards that
we are committed to, with respect for the human rights and dignity of all involved. These include:
- Modern Slavery Policy – outlines our commitment to the prevention of any modern slavery within our business and our associated suppliers, and actions we are taking.
- Business ethics including Anti-Bribery Policy – Westlab prohibits the offering, giving, solicitation or acceptance of any bribe (whether cash or any other inducement) by any of our team members
- Public Interest & Whistleblowing Policy – clear whistleblowing policies so employees can feel comfortable to raise concerns about how colleagues are being treated, or practices within our business or suppliers without fear of reprisals
- Employee Handbook, code of conduct – provides a clear, practical set of guiding principles and outlines our expectations to help employees make decisions how to behave and act as an individual at work, and as they represent Westlab within the workplace
Further Steps to Prevent Modern Slavery
At Westlab, we will continue to make high standards of ethical supply chain one of our key priorities and will work to ensure we continue address issues of Modern Slavery through our policies, practices and risk assessments. We will maintain our current strong supplier partnerships and will continue to engage with them to ensure they comply with our requirements.
Gavin Grace
Director | Westlab group
