British Shutters: Our Commitment to Ethical Manufacturing

At British Shutters, we are dedicated to providing high-quality window coverings with a strong commitment to ethical manufacturing practices throughout our supply chain. We believe in operating our business with integrity, respect for human rights, and a responsibility towards the environment.

This policy outlines our commitment to ensuring that our Shutters and all other products, are manufactured under fair, safe, and ethical working conditions. We strive to partner with suppliers who share our values and adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct.

Our Core Principles:

• Compliance with Laws and Regulations: We are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations related to labour, human rights, and environmental protection in the countries where our products are manufactured and sourced. This includes, but is not limited to, the Modern Slavery Act 2015 in the UK.
• Fair Labor Practices: We are dedicated to ensuring fair treatment of all workers involved in the production of our shutters. This includes:
  • No Forced or Compulsory Labour: We strictly prohibit all forms of forced, bonded, or involuntary labour. Workers must be employed freely and have the right to terminate their employment.
  • No Child Labor: We do not tolerate the use of child labour in any part of our manufacturing process. We adhere to the minimum age conventions and applicable national laws regarding the employment of young people.
  • Fair Wages and Benefits: We are committed to ensuring that workers receive fair wages, benefits, and working conditions that meet or exceed legal requirements and industry standards.
  • Safe and Healthy Working Environment: We strive to provide safe and healthy working environments for all workers, minimizing risks of accidents, injury, and exposure to hazardous substances.
  • Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining: We respect workers’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining in accordance with local laws and regulations.
  • Non-Discrimination: We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination based on race, colour, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic.
  • Regular Employment: To the extent possible, work performed must be on the basis of a recognized employment relationship established through national law and practice.
  • Ethical Sourcing: We are committed to sourcing materials and products from suppliers who demonstrate a strong commitment to ethical practices. This includes conducting due diligence on our suppliers to assess their compliance with our ethical standards.
  • Environmental Responsibility: We strive to minimize the environmental impact of our manufacturing processes and the sourcing of our materials. We encourage our suppliers to adopt sustainable practices and work towards reducing waste, conserving resources, and minimizing pollution.
  • Transparency and Accountability: We are committed to transparency in our supply chain and will work to ensure accountability for our ethical commitments. We will regularly review our policies and practices and engage with our suppliers to drive continuous improvement.
  • Continuous Improvement: We recognize that ethical manufacturing is an ongoing journey. We are committed to continuously improving our policies and practices to ensure we are upholding the highest ethical standards. This includes staying informed about best practices and engaging with relevant stakeholders.
  • Implementation and Monitoring:
  • We will implement this policy through the following measures:
  • Supplier Code of Conduct: We will communicate our ethical expectations to our suppliers through a comprehensive Supplier Code of Conduct.
  • Due Diligence: We will conduct due diligence on potential and existing suppliers to assess their ethical practices and compliance with our standards. This may include questionnaires, audits, and site visits.
  • Auditing and Verification: We will implement a system of monitoring and verification, which may include independent audits, to ensure our suppliers are adhering to our ethical standards.
  • Training and Awareness: We will provide training to our employees and relevant stakeholders on our commitment to ethical manufacturing and the principles outlined in this policy.
  • Reporting and Grievance Mechanisms: We will establish clear channels for reporting concerns or grievances related to ethical manufacturing practices within our supply chain. We are committed to investigating and addressing any legitimate concerns promptly and effectively.
  • Our Commitment to You:
  • By choosing British Shutters, you can be confident that you are purchasing high-quality products that are manufactured with a strong commitment to ethical principles and responsible practices. We believe that good business means doing business ethically.
  • Review and Updates:
  • This Ethical Manufacturing Policy will be reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation, best practices, and our ongoing commitment to ethical operations.
  • Date of Last Review: 9^th April 2025
  • British Shutters 146 Valley Drive, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, UK, HG2 0JS Email: sales@britishshutters.co.uk