Modern Slavery
At COS, we recognise that respecting the human rights of those affected by our business activities is important. We endeavour to make a positive and real difference to our immediate and greater community through our operations and wider supply chain.
We scrutinise every element of the supply chain and place a high level of importance on the behaviour of the total supply chain, as we believe this is where COS can make the most significant impact. A core focus of managing the relationships with our suppliers is ensuring that they share COS’ commitment to social and environmental responsibilities. COS places preference with suppliers practicing ethically responsible methods of sourcing and manufacturing whilst maintaining world best practice labour standards.
In FY2025 we will continue to improve our initiatives and strategies, including:
- continuing the rollout of Sensory Audits in overseas factories achieving a minimum of five sensory audits during FY25implementing a focused modern slavery review process for apparel and workwear suppliers within high risk industries (with a particular focus on apparel and workwear suppliers);
- extending and implementing a review of the COS Risk Assessment Methodology as it applies to indirect suppliers;
- implementing a focused review process for cleaning services and third-party labour hire agencies;
- participating in a minimum of three external roundtables or industry conferences to assist in awareness and education of modern slavery;
- continuing to review the COS Risk Assessment Methodology and companywide compliance;
- extending the trade suppliers new induction program to capture one off large purchases for solutions projects with a specific focus on service providers e.g. furniture and technology installers plan to review and evaluate the new COS subsidiary, Kookaburra Educational Resources, practices against the existing COS supplier and operations due diligence program;
- explore and potentially support charities relating to modern slavery in Australia.
For more information or to report any modern slavery concerns, please email us at: modernslavery@cos.net.au.
