Modern Slavery Transparency Declaration

This declaration applies to Defensible Ballistics Ltd and includes all operational regions, subsidiaries, and business units worldwide, covering both wholly and partially owned entities.

At Defensible Ballistics, we are committed to engaging in all business interactions - with customers, suppliers, employees, and communities - with the highest integrity. We are unwavering in our commitment to eliminate modern slavery in all its forms. Every aspect of our operations, irrespective of location, is expected to uphold individual rights and embrace diversity.

Our objective is to cultivate an inclusive workplace where the skills and contributions of every individual are recognised and valued. This commitment lies at the heart of our Purpose and Principles, which are woven into our code of conduct.

We believe that the nature of our business results in a low risk of human rights violations and modern slavery within our operations and supply chains. As we continue to grow, we will ensure that our expansion aligns with our Purpose and Principles, maintaining our core values at the forefront.

This document outlines the proactive measures Defensible Ballistics is taking to prevent, identify, and respond to modern slavery within our operations and supply chains, in accordance with Section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

1. Structure, Business, and Supply Chain Overview

Defensible Ballistics is a leader in defence and ballistics, providing support and innovative product solutions to enhance our clients' capabilities in terminal ballistics analysis. We offer assistance on complex programs primarily in the UK and Europe, along with exports to other markets. Our services encompass ongoing technical and engineering support for our customers’ assets, focused on enhancing performance availability and cost-effectiveness. We cater to both defence and civil sectors, including law enforcement, and provide engineering support across naval, land, air, and nuclear operations, in addition to frontline support and specialised training. Our expertise extends to the design and manufacture of technical materials and specialised equipment for terminal ballistic testing.

2. Policies Against Slavery and Human Trafficking

As a global enterprise, we recognise our duty to uphold and protect the human rights of our employees and all individuals we interact with throughout our supply chain and operations. We have cultivated a culture of respect for human rights throughout our organisation, demonstrated by our unwavering commitment to ethical conduct in all our endeavours. Our Code of Conduct articulates this commitment and is mandatory for all employees, advisers, and partners. We expect our suppliers to share this dedication and to disseminate it throughout their own supply chains.

This serves as a foundational guideline, offering a transparent framework for our suppliers to align with Defensible Ballistics' core values, adhere to our policies, and comply with all relevant legal obligations. Additionally, it covers the management of intellectual property, sensitive data, health and safety, environmental issues, and human rights, including modern slavery. By ensuring that our supply chain operates with integrity and transparency, we can clearly define the standards and expectations our suppliers must meet when conducting business with us.

Our Supplier Code of Conduct reflects our commitment to human rights and responsible practices, which include:

- Ensuring all work is voluntary and free of movement restrictions

- Treating all workers equitably and without discrimination

- Verifying compliance with age requirements for workers

- Respecting workers' rights to freely associate and engage in collective bargaining

- Providing reasonable working hours

- Offering fair wages to workers

- Ensuring health and safety protections in the workplace

- Granting access to fair procedures and remedies

Our commitment to human rights extends throughout our supplier network and their extended supply chains. We prioritise transparency and accountability, striving to collaboratively identify and address any issues. This Supplier Code of Conduct clarifies our expectations regarding environmental and social responsibility, ensuring we uphold the same standards for ourselves while delivering a consistent ethical approach to our customers.

3. Due Diligence Procedures

We consistently implement modern slavery risk assessments through our due diligence tools for both new and existing suppliers. These tools enhance our awareness of supply chains and assist in assessing supplier mitigation actions concerning modern slavery. We conduct an annual review of this toolset.

Our processes for qualifying, onboarding, and periodically revalidating suppliers ensure compliance with commercial, regulatory, and legal standards. We inform our suppliers of the qualification procedures through our Procurement & Supply Chain functional principles and sector-specific policies, gathering appropriate details based on the nature of the supply.

4. Risk Identification, Assessment, and Management

We maintain that our exposure to modern slavery risks within our operations and supply chain is low. This assessment is continuously reviewed to identify any changes that may require additional actions. Our strategic Risk Resilience tool utilises real-time monitoring through AI and machine learning technology, enabling us to map our supply chain ecosystem, monitor activities, and proactively identify hidden risks in our sub-tier supply chain. We also track and generate alerts for indicators of unethical labor practices, including modern slavery, and monitor suppliers based on their ESG scores, which encompass metrics related to forced and child labor and broader human rights issues.

We collaborate with industry leaders to develop processes that optimise risk management while encouraging the engagement of SMEs. Defensible Ballistics mandates that all potential suppliers demonstrate their ability to fulfil our contractual requirements and clearly show their commitment to corporate social responsibility. We expect high standards of conduct from our suppliers in their dealings with us and our customers, and we do not tolerate any behaviours that violate our codes.

According to our Code of Conduct, suppliers must either subscribe to our Code or confirm that they have equivalent standards and procedures in place within their own organisations.

5. Actions Taken to Address Modern Slavery

Our commitment to supplier relationships involves regular audits and assessments to ensure adherence to our policies, standards, and industry regulations. We prioritise critical factors such as compliance with environmental and labor laws, as well as quality management systems, to promote supply chain success and foster long-term partnerships. Additionally, we monitor key risk categories within our supply chain, identifying and mitigating potential risks to protect our business integrity and benefit the wider community.

6. Training and Awareness Initiatives

We are dedicated to enhancing awareness of modern slavery within our procurement and supply chain functions. Our procurement professionals are trained to recognise modern slavery, identify its key indicators, and employ proactive management strategies to mitigate this risk.

We maintain a clear Purpose and Principles and a Code of Conduct, which are easily accessible on our intranet and website. We also provide information regarding a confidential and independent whistleblower hotline for reporting breaches of the code of conduct at all our locations. This Whistleblowing policy is prominently displayed on the homepage of our group intranet, including contact numbers for relevant countries and alternative methods for raising internal concerns.

Instances of modern slavery identified within our supply chain: 0

Note: The content is current as of October 2024.