Modern Slavery Statement

This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes Cleaníge's slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending 31st March 2025.

Our Commitment

Cleaníge is an eco-friendly commercial cleaning company operating across Watford, Hertfordshire, and Bedfordshire. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity in all our business dealings. We recognise that modern slavery and human trafficking are abhorrent crimes that violate fundamental human rights. We have a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and are dedicated to ensuring that it does not take place within our own operations or our supply chains. We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking are not taking place anywhere in our supply chains.

Our Organisation Structure and Business

Cleaníge provides professional commercial cleaning services to a diverse range of clients, including offices, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and retail premises. Our services primarily involve the provision of cleaning operatives and the use of cleaning products and equipment. As an eco-friendly company, we prioritise the use of sustainable, plant-based, and biodegradable cleaning products (such as Sutter Professional Natural Zero Force) and aim to minimise our environmental impact through efficient practices and waste reduction. Our operations are entirely based within the United Kingdom.

Our Supply Chains

Our supply chains primarily include:

Cleaning Products: Sourcing eco-friendly, sustainable, and ethically produced cleaning solutions.
Cleaning Equipment: Procurement of machinery, tools, and consumables (e.g., cloths, mops, protective gear).
Uniforms: Supply of workwear for our cleaning operatives.
Office Supplies: General administrative and operational supplies.
Recruitment Agencies: Where applicable, engaging with third-party agencies for the provision of temporary or permanent staff.

We strive to build long-standing relationships with our suppliers, making clear our expectations of business conduct. We expect our suppliers to have appropriate anti-slavery and human trafficking policies and processes in place.

Our Policies on Slavery and Human Trafficking

Cleaníge operates the following policies to identify and prevent modern slavery:

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy: This internal policy outlines our commitment, responsibilities, and procedures for addressing modern slavery risks.

Whistleblowing Policy: We encourage all employees, customers, and other business partners to report any concerns related to our direct activities or our supply chains. Our whistleblowing procedure is designed to ensure that reports can be made in confidence and without fear of retaliation.

Recruitment Policy: We conduct thorough checks on all employees to ensure they have the right to work in the UK and are paid at least the National Living Wage. We do not use agencies that charge fees to workers.

Code of Conduct: Our employee handbook and induction process sets out the standards of conduct expected of all employees, including adherence to human rights principles.

Due Diligence Processes for Slavery and Human Trafficking

As part of our initiative to identify and mitigate risk, we have in place systems to:

Identify and assess potential risk areas in our supply chains.
Mitigate the risk of slavery and human trafficking occurring in our supply chains.
Monitor potential risk areas in our supply chains.
Protect whistleblowers.

Specifically, our due diligence includes:

Supplier Vetting: We conduct initial assessments of new suppliers, including their modern slavery statements (if applicable) and ethical sourcing policies. For key suppliers, we may request details of their own supply chain management and labour practices. Our preference for established eco-friendly brands (like Sutter Professional) often provides an added layer of assurance regarding ethical sourcing.

Contractual Clauses: Our supplier contracts include clauses requiring compliance with all applicable laws, including those related to modern slavery and human trafficking.

Direct Employment: The majority of our cleaning operatives are directly employed by Cleaníge, which allows us to maintain direct control over their working conditions, pay, and welfare.

Right to Work Checks: Robust procedures are in place to verify the identity and legal right to work for all employees, preventing the employment of individuals who may be victims of trafficking or forced labour.

Payroll and Wages: We ensure all employees are paid at least the National Living Wage (or National Minimum Wage, as applicable) and that wages are paid directly to the employee's bank account.

Risk Assessment and Management

We recognise that certain areas within the cleaning industry and our supply chain may carry a higher risk of modern slavery. These include:

Labour Provision: While we primarily employ staff directly, any engagement with third-party recruitment agencies is subject to strict vetting to ensure ethical recruitment practices.

Lower-Tier Supply Chains: While we vet our direct suppliers, identifying and assessing risks further down the supply chain (e.g., raw material extraction for cleaning product ingredients or uniform manufacturing) can be more challenging.

To manage these risks, we:

Prioritise suppliers with strong ethical reputations and certifications.
Maintain open communication channels with our suppliers to discuss and address any concerns.
Regularly review our internal policies and procedures to ensure they remain effective.

Training

To ensure a high level of understanding of the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in our supply chains and our business, we provide training to relevant members of staff. All new employees receive an induction that covers our commitment to ethical conduct and includes information on our whistleblowing policy. Key personnel involved in procurement and HR receive more detailed training on identifying and addressing modern slavery risks.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

To measure our effectiveness in ensuring that modern slavery is not taking place in our business or supply chains, we monitor:

The number of employees trained on modern slavery awareness.
The number of whistleblowing reports received related to modern slavery and the outcomes of investigations.
The percentage of new suppliers screened for modern slavery risks.
The number of instances of non-compliance identified and remedial actions taken.

Further Steps

We are committed to continuous improvement in our efforts to combat modern slavery. In the coming financial year, we plan to:

Further strengthen our supplier due diligence processes, particularly for higher-risk categories.
Explore opportunities for collaborative initiatives with industry peers or organisations focused on ethical supply chains.
Regularly review and update our policies and training materials to reflect best practices and evolving risks.

Approval

This statement has been approved by senior management of Cleaníge on 31.03.25 and will be reviewed and updated annually.

James Croft, Managing Director of Cleaníge 31.03.25.