Modern Slavery Policy

Our commitment

Eyesupply Limited has zero tolerance for modern slavery, human trafficking, forced or compulsory labour and child labour, in our own business and in our supply chains.

We are committed to acting ethically and lawfully in all our business dealings, and to working only with partners who share these values.

About Eyesupply

Eyesupply is a small, UK-based distributor of ophthalmic medical devices, surgical instruments and related consumables. We supply NHS and independent healthcare providers across the UK.

We do not manufacture products. We source finished, regulated products from established manufacturers and their authorised distributors, and store and deliver them to our customers.

Our approach

As a small business, we are not required to publish a modern slavery statement under section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. We have chosen to adopt this policy voluntarily. Our approach follows the principles of the Home Office’s statutory guidance on transparency in supply chains, applied in proportion to our size and our role as a distributor.

We recognise that the main modern slavery risks for a business like ours lie upstream, in manufacturing and raw-material supply chains, as well as in some UK services such as logistics. We focus our efforts on the following.

Choosing responsible suppliers

• We buy only from established, reputable manufacturers and authorised distributors.
• We make our suppliers aware of our expectations on modern slavery and ask them to meet equivalent standards in their own supply chains.
• Where manufacturers publish their own modern slavery statements or human rights policies, we take these into account.

Paying closer attention where risk is higher

Some product categories are widely recognised as higher risk in healthcare supply chains, including medical gloves and other personal protective equipment, and some surgical instruments depending on where they are made. For these products we:

• ask suppliers about where products are made and how they manage labour standards;
• ask for evidence of independent social or ethical audits where available;
• check for public concerns, sanctions or import restrictions linked to the supplier or product; and
• review this information periodically.

Buying fairly

We do not knowingly place orders on terms, such as unrealistic prices or lead times, that could only be met by exploiting workers.

Treating our own people fairly

Where applicable we carry out right-to-work checks. We provide written terms of employment, pay above the National Living Wage or at least National Minimum Wage. We never charge fees for employment or hold anyone’s identity documents. Where we use UK service providers we expect them to meet the same standards.

Training and awareness

Everyone who works for Eyesupply receives modern slavery awareness training, so they can recognise the warning signs and know how to report concerns.

If concerns arise

If we identify or are told about a potential issue in our supply chain, we will:

• put the safety of the people affected first, and involve the police or other authorities where appropriate;
• raise the matter with the supplier and ask for it to be put right;
• inform affected customers where appropriate; and
• stop working with a supplier who refuses to cooperate or where serious abuse is confirmed, while taking account of continuity of supply for patients.

Supporting our customers

We understand that NHS bodies and other healthcare organisations have their own duties to assess and manage modern slavery risk in what they buy. We will respond promptly and openly to customer requests for information. Where the information sits with our manufacturers, we will request it on our customers’ behalf.

We are open about the limits of what a small distributor can see. We cannot audit overseas factories ourselves, so we rely on the controls, certifications and statements of the manufacturers we work with.

Reporting a concern

If you have a concern about modern slavery connected with Eyesupply, our products or our suppliers, please contact us in confidence:

No one who raises a concern in good faith will be treated unfairly as a result.

You can also contact the Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline on 08000 121 700 (free, confidential and available 24 hours a day). If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.

Review

This policy is approved by the Director(s) of Eyesupply Limited and is reviewed periodically.