In November 2019 I attend a meeting to explore the idea of developing a British Standard to address modern slavery both within an organisation and its connected supply chain. During Q1 of 2020 the decision was made, and work started on pulling this standard together.
I say pull together, that phrase does not do justice to the 2 years of blood, sweat and tears that has been spent on developing what is one of the first standards in this space. The committee has been made up of businesses, academics, and standard writers to ensure that it addresses best practice but in a pragmatic way that can support successful implementation.
You may be familiar already with the imminent standard – BS25700 – the organisational response to modern slavery. You may have watched the webinar earlier this year – BS25700 Organizational Responses to Modern Slavery, if you’re in my LinkedIn network you will have seen me talk about it at length.
I truly believe that what has been finally approved on July 12th 2022 is a really instructive and useful framework for organisations to follow when determining how to manage the risk and impact of modern slavery both at organisational level and in connected supply chains.
It has several useful aspects that I think will help with the success of implementation:
Whilst this is one of the more comprehensive standards developed, it reflects the fact that an organisations response to modern slavery is not just the purview of the legal department or the procurement teams, but is something that should run through the lifeblood of any organisation.
BS25700 – the organisational response to modern slavery is one of the first standards within the modern slavery space.
The standard covers several areas that organisations must consider, and I will look at most of these areas in more detail over the coming months. It focuses on:
There are also sections on risk management and assessment, and the role of audits, I could seriously go on, but I would be in danger of writing an essay. Simply put it’s comprehensive.
I have had an engaging, enlightening, and inspiring 2 years helping to develop and write this standard. Whilst sometimes the micro details have sent me mad, the process for developing has been rewarding and hopefully will provide organisations with a framework they can use that goes beyond awareness raising activity and drive true action in the fight against modern slavery.
On the 15th September, Helen Carter will be hosting a FREE webinar alongside fellow speakers who helped write the standard to provide your organisation with guidance on how you can develop your own organisational requirements to embed effective modern slavery due diligence.
Helen Carter
Lead Consultant
Helen@actionsustainability.com
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