Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking Statement

Introduction

This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes World of Textiles UK LTD’s slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending 31 December 2025.

World of Textiles UK LTD is committed to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in our business operations and supply chain. We have a zero-tolerance approach to slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labor, and human trafficking (collectively referred to as “modern slavery”).

We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our business or supply chains.

Our Business and Supply Chain

Company Overview

World of Textiles UK LTD (Company No. 11657235) is a B2B textile supplier headquartered in Luton, United Kingdom. We supply premium textiles to the hospitality, healthcare, and retail sectors across the UK and internationally.

Our Products Include:

• Bed linen (duvet sets, sheets, pillowcases)
• Towels and bathrobes
• Table linen
• Accessories and specialty textile products

Our Operations:

• Registered Office: 960 Capability Green, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3PE
• Warehousing and distribution facilities in the UK
• B2B sales and customer service teams
• Product sourcing and quality control

Our Supply Chain

Our supply chain is global and multi-tiered, involving:

Tier 1 - Direct Suppliers:

• Textile manufacturers and finished goods suppliers
• Primarily located in Asia (China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey)
• Some European suppliers (Portugal, Poland)

Tier 2 - Raw Material Suppliers:

• Cotton growers and traders
• Synthetic fiber manufacturers
• Dye and chemical suppliers

Tier 3 - Sub-contractors:

• Fabric mills and weaving facilities
• Embroidery and finishing houses
• Packaging suppliers

Logistics Partners:

• International freight forwarders
• UK-based distribution and warehousing
• Last-mile delivery partners

We recognize that the textile industry has inherent risks for modern slavery, particularly in:

• Cotton harvesting (forced labor risks)
• Spinning and weaving mills (poor working conditions)
• Garment manufacturing (excessive overtime, wage violations)
• Low-tier suppliers in high-risk geographies

Governance and Responsibility

Board Oversight

Our Board of Directors has overall responsibility for ensuring this policy complies with our legal and ethical obligations. The Board:

• Reviews and approves this statement annually
• Receives regular reports on modern slavery risks and mitigation
• Allocates resources for due diligence and remediation
• Sets performance targets for supply chain compliance

Management Responsibility

Day-to-day responsibility for modern slavery prevention is held by:

• Procurement Team: Supplier selection and due diligence
• Quality Assurance Team: Factory audits and monitoring
• Legal/Compliance Officer: Policy development and legal compliance
• Senior Management: Strategic oversight and decision-making

Accountability

Managers are accountable for:

• Compliance with this policy within their areas
• Conducting appropriate due diligence
• Reporting concerns or violations
• Implementing corrective actions

Our Policies

We have several policies that support our commitment to preventing modern slavery:

Code of Conduct for Suppliers

All suppliers must agree to our Supplier Code of Conduct which prohibits:

• Forced, bonded, or compulsory labor
• Human trafficking and slavery
• Child labor (under 15 years or minimum legal age)
• Excessive working hours (max 60 hours/week)
• Wage violations (below minimum wage or withheld wages)
• Unsafe or inhumane working conditions
• Discrimination and harassment
• Restriction of freedom of movement or withholding of identity documents

Recruitment and Employment

Our recruitment practices ensure:

• No recruitment fees charged to workers
• Clear employment contracts in workers’ language
• Right to work verification
• Fair wages and working conditions
• Freedom of association

Whistleblowing Policy

We provide confidential reporting channels for anyone to report concerns about modern slavery. We protect whistleblowers from retaliation and investigate all reports thoroughly.

Ethical Trading Policy

We are committed to:

• Compliance with international labor standards (ILO conventions)
• Respect for human rights (UN Guiding Principles)
• Fair and ethical trading practices
• Continuous improvement in supply chain conditions

Due Diligence and Risk Assessment

Risk-Based Approach

We adopt a risk-based approach to identify, assess, and mitigate modern slavery risks:

Geographic Risk:

• High-risk countries identified using Global Slavery Index, US Trafficking in Persons Report, and other indices
• Enhanced due diligence for suppliers in high-risk regions

Product Risk:

• Cotton and raw materials (forced labor in cultivation)
• Labor-intensive processes (spinning, weaving, sewing)
• Low-tier suppliers with less visibility

Business Relationship Risk:

• New suppliers (unknown practices)
• Unauthorized subcontracting
• Purchasing practices creating cost pressures

Supplier Due Diligence

Before engaging suppliers, we conduct:

Initial Screening:

• Self-assessment questionnaires on labor practices
• Business licenses and legal registrations
• Ownership structure and decision-makers
• Previous audit results or certifications

Risk Assessment:

• Country risk (slavery prevalence, legal framework)
• Sector risk (labor intensity, vulnerable workers)
• Business model risk (subcontracting, migrant workers)

On-site Audits: For high-risk or high-value suppliers:

• Factory visits and worker interviews
• Review of employment contracts and payroll records
• Health and safety inspection
• Dormitory inspections (if applicable)
• Audit by third-party specialists or certification bodies

Approved Standards: We recognize audits from:

• SEDEX Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA)
• Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI)
• Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP)
• Fair Trade certifications
• Better Cotton Initiative (BCI)
• Organic or sustainable certifications

Supply Chain Mapping

We are working to:

• Map our supply chain beyond Tier 1 suppliers
• Identify sub-contractors and unauthorized facilities
• Trace raw materials to source (cotton, fibers)
• Understand labor conditions at each tier
• Prioritize visibility in highest-risk areas

Ongoing Monitoring

We monitor suppliers through:

• Annual re-audits or updates of high-risk suppliers
• Unannounced factory visits where possible
• Worker grievance mechanisms
• Corrective action plans for non-compliance
• Regular communication and relationship management

Training and Capacity Building

Internal Training

We provide training to:

Procurement and Sourcing Teams:

• Recognizing modern slavery indicators
• Conducting effective due diligence
• Responsible purchasing practices
• Engaging suppliers on labor issues

Senior Management:

• Modern slavery risks in our sector
• Legal obligations under Modern Slavery Act
• Governance and reporting requirements

All Employees:

• Awareness of modern slavery
• How to report concerns
• Company policies and commitments

Supplier Capacity Building

We support suppliers to improve practices through:

• Sharing best practice guidance
• Training on labor rights and fair employment
• Collaborative problem-solving on systemic issues
• Reasonable lead times and fair payment terms
• Long-term partnerships enabling investment

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

We measure our effectiveness through:

Supply Chain Coverage:

• Percentage of Tier 1 suppliers assessed for modern slavery risk
• Target: 100% of direct suppliers risk-assessed annually
• 2025 Performance: [% to be reported]

Audit Completion:

• Percentage of high-risk suppliers audited
• Target: 80% of high-risk suppliers audited within 12 months
• 2025 Performance: [% to be reported]

Non-Conformance and Remediation:

• Number of modern slavery concerns identified
• Percentage of concerns resolved or under remediation
• Target: 100% of critical issues resolved or suppliers exited

Training:

• Percentage of procurement staff trained on modern slavery
• Target: 100% annually
• 2025 Performance: [% to be reported]

Supply Chain Transparency:

• Number of supply chain tiers mapped
• Target: Full visibility to Tier 2 by end of 2026

Identified Risks and Actions

Risks Identified in Our Supply Chain

Cotton Supply Chain:

• Risk: Forced labor in cotton harvesting (particularly Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Xinjiang region)
• Action: Sourcing cotton from certified sources (Better Cotton, Organic, Fair Trade), avoiding high-risk origins, requesting cotton origin declarations

Spinning and Weaving Mills:

• Risk: Excessive working hours, low wages, poor conditions
• Action: Auditing factories, monitoring working hours, verifying wage payments, health and safety inspections

Subcontracting:

• Risk: Unauthorized subcontracting to unchecked facilities
• Action: Contractual prohibition of unauthorized subcontracting, surprise audits, supplier approval processes

Migrant Workers:

• Risk: Recruitment fees, passport retention, debt bondage
• Action: Checking recruitment practices, verifying workers retain identity documents, ensuring no fees charged

Homeworkers:

• Risk: Low pay, child labor, unsafe conditions
• Action: Mapping use of homeworkers, ensuring fair pay, monitoring working conditions

Actions Taken in 2025

• Supplier Assessments: Conducted risk assessments on [X]% of suppliers
• Audits: Completed [X] factory audits, including [X] in high-risk countries
• Training: Delivered modern slavery training to [X] employees
• Policy Updates: Revised Supplier Code of Conduct to strengthen labor clauses
• Supply Chain Mapping: Initiated mapping project to identify Tier 2 suppliers
• Remediation: Worked with [X] suppliers on corrective action plans for labor issues

Ongoing and Future Actions

2026 Commitments:

• Increase audit coverage to 80% of high-risk suppliers
• Complete Tier 2 supply chain mapping for top 80% of spend
• Implement supplier self-assessment platform
• Conduct worker voice surveys in key factories
• Engage with multi-stakeholder initiatives (e.g., Ethical Trading Initiative)
• Publish modern slavery KPI dashboard on website

Remediation and Corrective Action

If we identify modern slavery or high risks:

Immediate Actions

• Assess Severity: Determine if workers are in imminent danger
• Worker Safety: Prioritize victim protection and support
• Investigate: Gather facts and evidence
• Engage Supplier: Discuss findings and expectations

Corrective Action Plans

For non-compliance:

• Develop Plan: Supplier creates time-bound improvement plan
• Monitor Progress: Regular check-ins and verification
• Verify Completion: Follow-up audit or evidence review

Responsible Exit

If suppliers refuse to remediate or practices are severe:

• Phased Exit: Allow time for remediation before terminating
• Worker Protection: Ensure workers are not harmed by our exit
• Document Decision: Record reasons and actions taken
• Report to Authorities: Where criminal activity is suspected

We avoid disengagement as the first response, as it can harm workers. We work collaboratively with suppliers to improve, but will exit relationships where serious violations persist or suppliers are unwilling to improve.

Reporting Concerns

We encourage anyone with concerns about modern slavery in our business or supply chain to speak up.

Internal Reporting

• Line Manager: Raise with your direct manager
• Compliance/Legal Team: Email info@worldoftextiles.com
• Whistleblowing Line: Use our confidential whistleblowing procedure
• Anonymous Reporting: Reports can be made anonymously

External Reporting

• Modern Slavery Helpline: 08000 121 700 (UK)
• Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA): Report labor exploitation
• National Crime Agency: Report human trafficking
• Police: 101 or 999 in emergency

Protection for Whistleblowers

• We protect individuals who report concerns in good faith
• No retaliation for genuine reports
• Confidentiality maintained wherever possible
• Concerns investigated thoroughly and promptly

Collaboration and Partnerships

We recognize that tackling modern slavery requires collective action. We engage with:

Industry Initiatives:

• Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI)
• Better Cotton Initiative (BCI)
• Sustainable Apparel Coalition
• Textile Exchange

Multi-Stakeholder Platforms:

• Responsible sourcing networks
• Regional ethical trade groups
• NGO partnerships on worker rights

Peer Companies:

• Sharing best practices
• Collaborative factory engagement
• Joint capacity-building programs

Suppliers:

• Long-term partnerships
• Open dialogue on challenges
• Joint problem-solving

Measuring Effectiveness

Beyond KPIs, we assess effectiveness through:

Worker Voice:

• Worker interviews during audits
• Grievance mechanism usage
• Worker satisfaction surveys

Audit Findings Trends:

• Reduction in repeat violations
• Improvement in audit scores over time
• Faster resolution of issues

Supplier Engagement:

• Supplier feedback on partnership
• Supplier investment in improvements
• Proactive disclosure of issues

Stakeholder Feedback:

• NGO and civil society input
• Customer and investor expectations
• Regulatory guidance and enforcement

Board Approval

This statement has been reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors of World of Textiles UK LTD.

We will continue to develop and strengthen our approach to combating modern slavery and will report publicly on our progress annually.

Signed:

[Signature]

[Name] Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer World of Textiles UK LTD

Date: 26 December 2025

Contact Information

For questions about this statement or to report concerns:

• Email: info@worldoftextiles.com
• Telephone: +44 1234 567 890
• Address: World of Textiles UK LTD, 960 Capability Green, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3PE, United Kingdom

Modern Slavery Helpline: 08000 121 700 (confidential reporting)

This statement is reviewed and updated annually. Previous statements are available upon request.

Last Updated: 26 December 2025 Next Review: December 2026 Version: 1.0