Anti-Slavery Statement 2021
Ipsos is committed to ensuring that all our employees, workers and contractors are treated fairly, and that their human rights are respected. Our slavery and human trafficking statement is made pursuant to Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 ("Statement"). This Statement sets out the steps lpsos has taken to address the risk of slavery and human trafficking taking place within its own operations and supply chains. For the purposes of this Statement, lpsos represents: lpsos MORI UK Ltd and Market & Opinion Research International Ltd.
Furthermore, Ipsos in the UK is part of the group of companies operating globally under the control of lpsos SA, a French listed company ("lpsos Group").
Business sector and risks
lpsos operates in the market research and public opinion sector, as well as ancillary services. As such, its supply chain for its main business operation is relatively straightforward. Management has identified data collection as the area with the greatest risk. We are proud that the lpsos Group was the first research business in the world to subscribe to the UN Global Compact, encouraging businesses to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies.
Since 2008, the lpsos Group has subscribed to the UN Global Compact for respecting ten universal principles concerning human rights, labour, the environment and combating corruption. This commitment has also been incorporated into the lpsos Group global policies (“The Green Book”, the Ipsos Professional Code of Conduct), and a "Book of Policies and Procedures", all of which are supplemented by a whistle-blowing procedure.
Our "Anti-Slavery Policy" has been in place since July 2016, supplementing the requirements set out in the lpsos Group wide policies. All staff are required to comply with the policy, and we have a zero-tolerance approach to non-compliance. We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships, and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our own business or any of our supply chains.
lpsos has taken steps in order to reduce the risk identified in the data collection element of our business. Each third party provider of data collection services undergoes a vetting process by our internal Compliance Department before being accepted as a supplier. lpsos currently implements a strict vetting and due diligence from a modern slavery avoidance and legislative compliance perspective. As part of that, lpsos shall consider specific due diligence around suppliers' compliance with modern slavery. Ipsos has also worked with internal teams to establish a clear process for on-boarding of suppliers and working with our in-house legal teams have ensured that suppliers contractually and legally comply with the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act. Ipsos ensures compliance to the Modern Slavery Act is a paramount consideration when engaging with clients as well as with respective subcontractors and third parties. Ipsos has identified that there is a low risk for non-data processing type of suppliers which Ipsos engages with, however it is worth noting that the low risk is not proportionate to the high level of due diligence and checks carried out with suppliers before they are on-boarded or engaged with by Ipsos.
In 2018, lpsos introduced a formal requirement within its supplier agreements compelling its suppliers to comply with the Modern Slavery Act; to implement controls to prevent modern slavery; and to notify lpsos if they become aware of any instances of modern slavery within their business or supply chains.
Both whistleblowing and supplier oversight are seen as key performance indicators to measure our effectiveness in ensuring that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in its business or supply chains. Key performance indicators are also discussed with any potential supplier in regard to processes and compliance with Modern Slavery Act 2015 rules and regulations as well as industry-regulated guidance. Ipsos ensures that contractual documents reflect notification as well as legislative compliance requirements. Ipsos engages a hard-line approach of non-engagement and dismissal of supplier if any form of non-compliance to the Modern Slavery Act 2015 is found/suspected. There have not been any incidences of non-compliance by Ipsos’ approved supply chain since the reporting requirements under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 to the date of this statement.
Training
lpsos has issued training to its staff to enable them to better recognise the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in the supply chain. lpsos has also asked its staff to familiarise themselves with the "Anti-Slavery Policy". Ipsos ensures all employees are kept up to date and informed of legislative updates and compliance requirements whether it is engaging with new clients or on-boarding of suppliers. Ipsos has a dedicated compliance and legal team that continually strives to have a pro-active approach to legislative compliance and ensure internal stakeholders are made fully aware of the Modern Slavery Act and the obligations Ipsos as an organisation must uphold.
This statement was approved by the Boards of lpsos MORI UK Ltd and Market & Opinion Research International Ltd on 08/04/2021.
Signed by Ben Page, Chief Executive Officer for lpsos MORI UK Ltd and Market & Opinion Research International Ltd:
Ben Page
Chief Executive Officer