Modern Slavery Policy and Statement – Pearson Fuels

Modern slavery is a crime and a violation of fundamental human rights. It encompasses various forms, including slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour, and human trafficking. These practices all involve depriving individuals of their liberty for personal or commercial exploitation.

Pearson Fuels maintains a zero-tolerance stance on modern slavery. We are committed to conducting our business ethically and with integrity, and to implementing robust systems and controls to ensure modern slavery does not occur within our operations or supply chains.

We are equally committed to transparency in our business practices and in our efforts to combat modern slavery across our supply networks, in line with our disclosure obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

We expect the same high standards from all contractors, suppliers, and business partners. As part of our contracting processes, we will include specific prohibitions against the use of forced, compulsory, or trafficked labour, and against any form of slavery or servitude involving adults or children. We also expect our suppliers to apply these standards throughout their own supply chains.

This policy applies to all individuals working for or on behalf of Pearson Fuels in any capacity, including employees at all levels, directors, officers, agency workers, secondees, volunteers, interns, agents, contractors, consultants, third-party representatives, and business partners.

This policy does not form part of any employee’s contract of employment and may be amended at any time.

Policy Responsibility

Pearson Fuels holds overall responsibility for ensuring this policy complies with legal and ethical standards, and that all individuals under our control adhere to it.

Day-to-day responsibility for implementing, monitoring, and reviewing this policy lies with Pearson Fuels’ management team. This includes responding to queries and auditing internal systems to ensure effectiveness in preventing modern slavery.

Managers at all levels are responsible for ensuring their teams understand and comply with this policy and receive appropriate and regular training on modern slavery and supply chain risks.

We welcome feedback on this policy and encourage suggestions for improvement. Comments and queries should be directed to the Managing Director.

Compliance and Reporting

All personnel must read, understand, and comply with this policy.

Preventing, detecting, and reporting modern slavery is a shared responsibility. You must avoid any activity that could lead to a breach of this policy and report any concerns to your line manager or a company Director as soon as possible.

Concerns about potential modern slavery within any part of our business or supply chain should be raised promptly. If you suspect a breach, report it to your line manager, a Director, or via our Whistleblowing Policy.

Where appropriate, and with the welfare of affected workers as a priority, Pearson Fuels will support suppliers in addressing coercive, abusive, or exploitative practices.

If you are uncertain whether a particular act or working condition constitutes modern slavery, seek guidance from your line manager or a Director.

We encourage openness and will support anyone who raises genuine concerns in good faith, even if they are mistaken. No one will suffer detrimental treatment for reporting concerns about modern slavery.

Detrimental treatment includes dismissal, disciplinary action, threats, or other unfavourable outcomes linked to raising a concern. If you believe you have experienced such treatment, inform your line manager immediately. If unresolved and you are an employee, escalate the matter through our Grievance Procedure, available in the employee handbook.

This policy is applicable to businesses globally, with particular relevance to operations in the United Kingdom.

Communication and Awareness

Training on this policy and the risks of modern slavery in supply chains forms part of our induction process. Updates will be communicated through established channels. Our zero-tolerance approach must be clearly communicated to all suppliers, contractors, and business partners at the outset of our relationship and reinforced as needed.

Policy Breaches

Any employee found to be in breach of this policy may face disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal for misconduct or gross misconduct. Pearson Fuels may also terminate relationships with individuals or organisations acting on our behalf if they violate this policy.