Introduction

Halma supports the provisions set out in the Modern Slavery Act (“the Act”) and, through our own Human Rights and Labour Conditions Policy, endorses the core requirements of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, including the conventions relating to forced labour, child labour, non-discrimination, freedom of association and right to collective bargaining. We do not tolerate practices which contravene these international standards. Regulatory demands upon us vary considerably around the world, so Halma establishes the core structure to ensure that Group companies fully comply with legislative and regulatory requirements while permitting our individual businesses to tailor their approach to their particular needs.

The Act requires organisations to publish a slavery and human trafficking statement on an annual basis where they have a global turnover of over £36 million, carry on business in the UK and supply goods or services. This statement sets out the steps that have been taken to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in our business and our supply chains.

Halma’s business and structure

Our products provide innovative solutions for many of the key problems facing the world today. Halma employs over 5,800 people in 42 businesses based in more than 20 countries. Our companies and products have a core focus on safety, health and environmental markets. We place our operational resources close to our customers and operate an autonomous organisational structure which empowers the local management team to run their business but observe the robust governance framework set by the Group.

Companies within the scope of the Act

Halma reports in accordance with the requirements under the Act and, in accordance with best practice, also includes in its statement all companies that have met the criteria since the introduction of the Act.

Halma plc is the parent company employing the leadership team which sets the framework under which our companies operate. Halma plc does not supply goods or provide any services to third parties.

Halma’s approach to the Act

Halma has a culture of openness, integrity and accountability. We require our employees to act fairly in their dealings with fellow employees, customers, suppliers and business partners. We are committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in any part of our business or in our supply chains.

The Group has a clear whistleblowing policy and an established third-party whistleblowing hotline, which allows employees in any of our businesses to raise any concerns confidentially, anonymously (where permitted by law) and independent of their company. Halma is committed to ensuring that anyone raising a concern in good faith does not suffer any victimisation or detriment.

Since our inaugural Statement in September 2016, we have continued to raise the profile of the Act across our businesses, specifically in two ways:

  • we extended our awareness programme by issuing a guidance note on the Act to all our businesses, which summarises the Group’s obligations under the Act, raises the profile of this agenda, and recommends actions that each business can take to risk assess and help to ensure that modern slavery is not occurring in their business or its supply chain;
  • our worldwide Code of Conduct, which sets out the ethical standards that govern the activities of the Group and the activities of our employees and business partners, has been updated to specifically reference modern slavery and human trafficking. The revised Code of Conduct is available on our website.

In addition to being available here on the Halma website, this Statement will also be submitted to the Modern Slavery Registry maintained by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre.

As Chief Executive, I will continue to lead this important agenda for our Group and will next report in September 2018 on the steps that we have taken since the publication of this statement.

This statement was approved by the Board of Halma plc and signed on its behalf by:

Andrew Williams
Chief Executive

30 September 2017