Modern Slavery Statement: What It Is & Why It Matters
Modern slavery reporting asks larger organisations to describe the risks of modern slavery in their operations and supply chains, and what they do about them.
In this explainer
- Explain what modern slavery reporting is
- Describe, generally, what a statement is expected to address
- Show why supply-chain ethics matter when choosing a partner
- List questions to ask a provider about modern slavery risk
- Describe how Merion approaches ethical supply and conduct
6 min
What it is
Modern slavery reporting requires certain larger organisations to publish a statement describing the risk of modern slavery — such as forced labour and human trafficking — in their operations and supply chains, and the steps they take to assess and address it. The reporting threshold and content expectations are set by law.
This page is a general overview. Whether an organisation must report, and exactly what its statement must cover, depend on the law as it stands; verify the current requirements directly.
Key requirements
In broad terms, a modern slavery statement is expected to describe the organisation, identify modern slavery risks in its operations and supply chains, explain the actions taken to assess and address those risks, and describe how the effectiveness of those actions is evaluated. Even organisations below any reporting threshold can choose to consider these risks as good practice.
The underlying aim is to make organisations look honestly at where harm could occur in how their goods and services are produced and procured.
Why it matters for debt recovery
Choosing service providers, including a recovery partner, is part of an organisation's own supply chain. A partner that takes ethics seriously — in how it treats people and how it sources what it uses — supports your own responsible-sourcing commitments. A partner indifferent to such issues can undermine them.
For a creditor with modern slavery commitments, the ethical posture of its suppliers is directly relevant.
What to ask a provider
Ask: do you consider modern slavery risk in your own operations and supply chain? If you are required to report, can you point to your statement? How do you treat your own people fairly? How would you support our responsible-sourcing expectations?
How Merion approaches it
Merion aims to act ethically in how it treats people and how it sources what it uses, and supports clients' responsible-sourcing expectations. Where modern slavery reporting obligations apply to us, we follow the relevant requirements. Learn more about the broader Merion approach and our standards in the Trust Centre. For the current reporting thresholds and content rules, verify them directly.
This page is general information only and is not legal advice.
Key takeaways
- Modern slavery reporting describes slavery risks in operations and supply chains, and the response
- Statements typically cover risks, actions taken, and how effectiveness is assessed
- Your providers are part of your supply chain, so their ethics affect your commitments
- Verify the current reporting thresholds and content rules directly
Frequently asked questions
Who has to publish a modern slavery statement?
Reporting is required of certain larger organisations above a legal threshold. Whether an organisation must report depends on the law as it stands, which should be verified directly.
Why does this matter when picking a recovery partner?
Because your service providers are part of your supply chain. A partner that takes modern slavery and ethical sourcing seriously supports your own responsible-sourcing commitments.
Does Merion address modern slavery?
Merion aims to act ethically in how it treats people and sources what it uses, and follows any modern slavery reporting obligations that apply. Verify current thresholds and rules directly.
Security and compliance you can verify
Merion handles every account on the facts, within the rules, and with data protected by design. Ask us anything.