At i-tem, we are committed to operating with integrity, responsibility and respect for every person involved in our supply chain. Ethical trading is a core part of who we are, and we hold ourselves and our partners to the highest standards of labour rights, transparency and corporate governance.

We strictly prohibit modern slavery, forced labour, child labour, human trafficking and any form of exploitation across our operations and global supplier network. This commitment is embedded in our Corporate Social Responsibility Policy, our Responsible Sourcing and Ethical Trading Policy and our Modern Slavery Statement obligations under the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Zero tolerance for modern slavery

We refuse to tolerate forced, bonded or child labour in any part of our operations or supply chain. Supplier contracts include mandatory anti-slavery clauses, and any violation leads to immediate termination.

Responsible, ethical sourcing

All suppliers must comply with national labour laws, ILO conventions, ethical trading standards and safe working conditions. Written contracts, fair pay and reasonable working hours are required. Compliance is assessed regularly as part of our Supplier Due Diligence process.

Transparency & accountability

We conduct supplier audits, risk assessments and ongoing monitoring to ensure labour and human rights standards are upheld. Our leadership team oversees CSR and ESG compliance, integrating these responsibilities into strategic decisions and quarterly reviews.

Safe, respectful workplaces

We treat every employee with dignity and respect, promoting equality, diversity, inclusion and a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination or harassment.

Environmental & sustainability ethics

Ethical trading includes environmental responsibility. We prioritise sustainable sourcing, reduced emissions, waste minimisation, wildlife protection, humane animal welfare and responsible packaging as outlined in our Sustainability and Environmental Policies.

To safeguard workers and maintain an ethical supply chain, we follow the below principles:

1. Conduct supplier due diligence and verification before approval.
2. Require all suppliers to complete sustainability, ethical trading and compliance questionnaires.
3. Carry out internal and third-party audits where required.
4. Maintain confidential reporting channels for concerns and whistleblowing.
5. Provide training for procurement and operational staff on ethical sourcing and anti-slavery risks.
6. Terminate any supplier relationship where non-compliance is identified.

We maintain confidential channels for employees, suppliers and partners to report concerns about unethical behaviour or suspected modern slavery. Whistleblowers are protected from retaliation and all reports are investigated promptly and fairly.

Our Board of Directors reviews and approves our Modern Slavery Statement annually, ensuring compliance with legislation and alignment with our CSR, ESG and Responsible Sourcing commitments. Continuous improvement is part of our core governance structure.

Ethical trading is not a checkbox for us. It is the foundation of how we work with suppliers, support our customers and build our business. We are committed to a supply chain that protects people, respects the planet and upholds the highest standards of integrity.