Modern Slavery Statement

SWAZ provides services to football clubs in the UK and across the world. We supply goods, including custom kits, football training kits, teamwear, and merchandise, as well as services such as websites and club shops. SWAZ is based out of our office in Plymouth, Devon, where most of our team operates. We work with several third-party suppliers to deliver our goods and services.

Policy Statement

Modern slavery is a crime and a violation of fundamental human rights. SWAZ is committed to ethical business practices and has a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of modern slavery, including slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour, and human trafficking.

We expect the same high ethical standards from all organisations in our supply chain and partner network. We are committed to working only with partners who share our values and uphold robust human rights protections.

Our Organisation Structure & Supply Chain

SWAZ staff do not fall into any category considered vulnerable to modern slavery in the UK. Consequently, our primary focus under the Modern Slavery Act is ensuring that our supply chain and partner organisations are free from exploitative practices.

SWAZ outsources manufacturing and distribution to suppliers in the UK, Europe, and Asia, enabling us to meet the diverse needs of football clubs.

Due to the tiered and global nature of our supply chain, our suppliers may also source products or raw materials from additional organisations in various geographies. Recognising this complexity, we take steps to ensure transparency and ethical compliance at every level.

Our Approach to Modern Slavery Prevention

SWAZ is dedicated to preventing slavery, servitude, forced labour, and human trafficking across all aspects of its operations. Our efforts include:

  1. Internal Measures
  • Management Leadership: Ensuring senior management is educated on modern slavery risks and equipped to cascade this knowledge to their teams.
  • Training: Providing relevant employees with tools to identify signs of modern slavery and act appropriately.

2. Supply Chain Management

  • Supplier Code of Conduct: Requiring all suppliers and partners to adhere to a code of conduct outlining our anti-slavery expectations.
  • Due Diligence: Conducting risk assessments and requiring transparency from suppliers about their operations and sourcing practices.
  • Contractual Obligations: Embedding anti-slavery clauses in supplier agreements to ensure compliance.
  • Audits: Regularly evaluating suppliers’ practices and reserving the right to conduct on-site audits to verify compliance.

3. Incident Response

  • If evidence of modern slavery is found in our supply chain or among our partners, SWAZ will respond decisively. This includes:
  • Investigating allegations promptly and fairly.
  • Providing suppliers with an opportunity to remediate any issues, where feasible.
  • Terminating relationships where compliance cannot be achieved.
  • We will report severe incidents to relevant authorities and seek guidance from ethical and governing bodies as needed.

Risk Management and Mitigation

SWAZ acknowledges that certain geographies or sectors may pose higher risks of modern slavery. We commit to:

  • Mapping our supply chain to identify high-risk areas.
  • Prioritising partnerships with suppliers certified by ethical trade organisations or standards such as SEDEX or the Fair Wear Foundation.
  • Collaborating with industry initiatives to promote collective action against modern slavery.

Continuous Improvement and Policy Review

SWAZ is committed to regularly updating its modern slavery policy to align with evolving regulations, industry best practices, and supply chain complexities. We will:

  • Annually review our policy and update our processes as needed.
  • Encourage suppliers to adopt similar review mechanisms to uphold ethical practices.

Training and Awareness

To maintain vigilance against modern slavery, SWAZ will ensure that:

  • All employees, especially those involved in procurement and supplier management, receive regular training on recognising and mitigating the risks of modern slavery.
  • New employees and partners are provided with clear guidance on SWAZ’s ethical standards and modern slavery policy at the outset of their relationship with us.
  • Suppliers are informed of policy updates and expectations to foster shared accountability.

Statement Approval

This statement has been formally approved by the Directors of SWAZ and reflects the organisation’s commitment to ethical practices.