Modern Slavery Statement

(For the financial year ending 31 December 2022)

INTRODUCTION

Ideal Boilers Limited ("we" "us" "the Company") are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships. We are committed to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure that human trafficking and slavery is not taking place anywhere in our own business or in any of our supply chains.

This statement details the steps taken by the Company during the financial year ending 31 December 2022 to prevent slavery and human trafficking occurring in any of our businesses or supply chain.

In preparing the statement we have considered the obligations placed on us as a result of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the risks the business is exposed to as a result of operations of its business.

It is expected that all personnel responsible for the sourcing and specification of materials for use in our boilers act with Integrity to ensure that no action taken by the business is likely to adversely impact the human rights of people working in all levels of our supply chain locally and globally.

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

We are a market leading supplier of domestic and commercial boilers primarily to the UK market. We are a part of the Groupe Atlantic (Group), which is the ultimate parent company. The Group has its head office in France and has over 10,000 employees across 28 manufacturing sites worldwide.

OUR SUPPLY CHAINS

The Company's sales market continues to be UK focused with the supply market being global. Our critical suppliers are predominantly located in China, India, continental Europe as well as the UK. When assessing any suppliers within the supply chain as to whether or not they are high risk the Company continues to rely on:

  • The work of the Global Slavery Index ( http://www.globalslaveryindex.org/ ) which identifies countries where there is a higher risk of exploited labour.
  • The type of component being specified and purchased either directly or indirectly.
  • The use of intelligence from professional organisations such as CIPS.

Additionally, Ideal Heating has invested in a supplier performance management platform which is being rolled out to the entire supply base. This tool has a module which uses algorithms to determine the level of ESG risk attributable to individual suppliers dependent on a number of factors including geography, human rights, labour rights and business ethics.

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. No new policies relating to these topics have been introduced during the financial year ending 31 December 2022.

Existing policies and statements listed below are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure compliance with relevant law and ethical responsibilities.

  • Recruitment Policy: the policy outlines the business approach to recruitment, working with recruitment agencies and agency workers and the provision of documentation contingent to offers of employment being made. Contracts of employment provide details of how workers can terminate employment and on overtime expectations.
  • Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy: The policy sets out clear guidance in respect of prevention of bribery and corruption by or involving our workers and includes information on our workers' obligations and potential liabilities.
  • Public Disclosure Policy (Whistleblowing) The policy encourages workers to report any concerns about wrongdoing or dangers internally through the proper channels. The Company continues to promote individuals to speak and raise concerns internally and disclose information which the individual believes to illustrate illegal unethical behaviour or other serious malpractice, including any matters relating to modern slavery.
  • CSR Policy: An overarching policy describing how the business meets or exceeds its obligations on matters relating to the environment, ethical trading
  • Procurement Practices: We will only use reputable suppliers who act ethically and in accordance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Suppliers are vetted via a PQQ Questionnaire (issued from our supplier performance management platform) prior to being able to trade with us. Failure to complete this questionnaire satisfactorily disbars suppliers from being able to work with us.

DUE DILIGENCE PROCESSES FOR SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING

The Company continues to maintain internal accountability standards and procedures for employees and contractors for failing to meet company standards regarding modern slavery and human trafficking. The following approaches are used by the Company to identify and mitigate risk and no other action has been implemented during the financial year ending 31 December 2022:

  • Supplier Self-Assessment: This process involves a questionnaire containing questions in relation to slavery and human trafficking issued to suppliers with significant business turnover and critical component suppliers which they are required to complete.
  • Site Audits & Business Reviews: Ideal Boilers personnel will occasionally visit new or existing suppliers to assess their capabilities.
  • Third Party Auditing: For those suppliers which have been identified as higher risk in Asia and other remote parts of the globe, we use the resources of the Group organisation.
  • Eligibility for Working in the UK: When recruiting new employees into the business and when using the services of agency personnel, the HR function ensures that all agency personnel and new permanent recruits have been correctly vetted and that their eligibility for employment in the UK has been established.

TRAINING & AWARENESS

  • 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 via an easy to access online platform. Members of our Purchasing team have undergone CIPs Ethical Training. The business is a member of both Sedex and Ecovadis platforms and from time to time will draw down on the resources provided through these solutions.

FURTHER STEPS

The Company is constantly re-evaluating its processes to ensure there is no slavery or human trafficking in its supply chain. Over the coming year, the Company will endeavour to:

  • Encourage greater involvement in modern slavery initiatives from teams across the Company.
  • Ensure we participate at external modern slavery events and workshops (where possible).
  • Review our internal training available to our employees.
  • Explore any additional online tools which would assist us in the assessment of our supply Base in relation to CSR obligations.
  • Provide feedback to suppliers and guide them in addressing any areas of concern.

This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending 31 December 2022.

Shaun Edwards Signature

Signed by:
Shaun Edwards, Chief Executive Officer, Ideal Heating GA-UK
14th February 2023