During FY23, COS investigated five reports of suspected modern slavery in supplier supply chains. In one case, following work with the supplier, we stopped purchasing products made in Malaysia within that supplier’s supply chain.
Our Modern Slavery Statement FY23 explains how we responded to the reports, strengthened our supplier checks and made it easier for people to raise concerns. It covers the year ended 30 June 2023 and was approved by COS Founder and Sole Director Dominique Lyone on 19 December 2023.
Listening, investigating and taking action
The five reports came from customers and suppliers and related to supply chains in Malaysia, Indonesia and China. COS’s modern slavery working group investigated each concern.
In four cases, the investigations did not identify modern slavery. We increased the suppliers’ risk ratings so we could monitor them more closely. In the remaining case, we worked with the supplier and decided to stop purchasing products made in Malaysia within its supply chain.
We also introduced a register to track reported concerns and our responses. A new form gives customers, suppliers and members of the public another way to raise concerns about modern slavery.
Looking more closely at the products we source
Products made for the workplace can pass through complex supply chains before reaching COS and our customers. The products we source and resell remain our main area of potential modern slavery risk.
In FY23, we focused on promotional products after identifying textiles as a higher risk industry. The suppliers covered by our targeted review completed a self-assessment questionnaire and were confirmed as compliant with our Ethical Sourcing Policy. We also continued screening new suppliers, reviewing existing suppliers and introduced a separate framework for suppliers of services and other goods used to run our business.
What comes next?
In FY24, we plan to look more closely at apparel and workwear suppliers, introduce standalone terms for import suppliers and extend modern slavery training to all new COS employees.
A concern raised is a starting point. What matters is that we examine it carefully, follow up with suppliers and act on what we learn.
Read the full Modern Slavery Statement FY23
