Modern Slavery Act

Statement of Mercedes-Benz UK Ltd, Mercedes-Benz Parts Logistics Ltd, Mercedes-Benz Retail Group UK Ltd and Mercedes-Benz Financial Services UK Ltd Pursuant to the Modern Slavery Act 2015

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 came into effect on 29th October 2015.  This law requires manufacturers and showrooms doing business in the UK which supply goods or services and have an annual turnover exceeding £36 million to disclose information regarding their policies to eradicate slavery and human trafficking from their supply chain and within their business.

Mercedes-Benz UK Ltd, Mercedes-Benz Parts Logistics Ltd, Mercedes-Benz Retail Group UK Ltd and Mercedes-Benz Financial Services UK Ltd, hereby referred to Mercedes-Benz UK Companies are proud of the integrity measures they take in this regard.

Mercedes-Benz UK Companies efforts to eradicate slavery and human trafficking in its supply chain and own business include the following:-

Supply Chain

Written policies and procedure

o  Mercedes-Benz UK Companies maintains written policies that strictly prohibit the use of slavery or human trafficking in its direct supply chain.  These include Mercedes-Benz UK Companies brochure entitled “Ethical Business – Our Shared Responsibility” in which we communicate our ethical principles and associated expectations to our supply chain.  Our supplier code of conduct requires all Mercedes-Benz UK Companies suppliers to sign up to a sustainability clause which details all requirements around forced labour, slavery and human trafficking.  This can be found on the supplier portal as follows

https://supplier.mercedes-benz.com/portal/en

Supplier certifications

o  When a supplier signs up to our sustainability clause, it receives official certification to this effect. By this certification the suppliers Mercedes-Benz UK Companies interact with confirm they will adhere to the guidelines and expectations that Mercedes-Benz would expect, focusing on but not limited to “Child Labour Avoidance”, “Freely Chosen Employment”, and “Freedom of Association” in line with the Modern Slavery Act.  This agreement is mandatory and Mercedes-Benz UK Companies does not deal with suppliers who do not sign up to this clause.

Third party audits

o  Mercedes-Benz UK Companies have the right at any time to audit suppliers for compliance against the sustainability clause.

Violations

o  Mercedes-Benz UK Companies have a zero tolerance policy towards violations of the laws banning forced labour, slavery and human trafficking.  Mercedes-Benz UK Companies contractual agreements permit the termination of suppliers for a single violation. 

Our own business

Written policies and procedures

o  Mercedes-Benz UK Companies’ Integrity Code details the rules and procedures by which we should treat fellow employees.  This includes:

  • Transparent and fair behaviour, such as protecting human rights

  • Compliance with legislation, including fundamental rights at work - in particular freedom of association and elimination of discrimination throughout employment.

Employee Training

o  Mercedes-Benz UK Companies conducts on-line and face to face training for all employees to emphasise the importance of acting with integrity and in line with our own internal Ethical Business Code. o  Compliance officers incorporate guidance regarding the Modern Slavery Act into regular company training sessions.

Human Rights

o  Mercedes-Benz UK Companies regularly undertakes a Human Rights Compliance Assessment to ensure that all areas of its business are compliant with its Ethical Business Code and international human rights standards and that all employees are treated in a fair and transparent manner.  This includes adherence to the Working time Directive and the Minimum Wage.

Violations

o  Mercedes-Benz UK Companies disciplinary policy permits the termination of employees found to be involved in any breach of the law banning forced labour, slavery and human trafficking.

Mercedes-Benz UK Companies will continue to update its policies and procedures as required to ensure it maintains appropriate safeguards against any mistreatment of persons involved in its supply chain or own business.