About ISCB®
The International Security Certification Board, LLC (ISCB®), with members across numerous countries, leads in providing a wide variety of certifications that support professionals in security and compliance sectors globally. As a leader in certifications for compliance, governance, and risk management, ISCB® is dedicated to promoting professional growth and societal impact by offering advanced training, certifications, and global events. ISCB® works to connect and educate professionals, preparing them to address evolving challenges in global security and compliance.
The Modern Slavery Act 2015 (UK)
The Modern Slavery Act came into effect on March 26, 2015, and clarifies existing offenses related to slavery and human trafficking while also introducing stricter penalties for such actions. Under Section 54 of the Act, commercial organizations with a global annual turnover of £36 million or more and operating in the UK must publish an annual statement detailing the steps taken to prevent slavery and trafficking in their business and supply chains.
The term 'modern slavery' refers to exploitation so severe that individuals are unable to leave their place of work. It includes slavery, which involves treating another person as property—something that can be bought, sold, or destroyed. Victims may be 'owned' by their employers, controlled through recruitment debts they cannot pay off, or threatened with harm if they attempt to leave. All forms of slavery involve depriving individuals of their freedom.
Given the nature of ISCB®’s business and the services we provide, we assess the risk of slavery and human trafficking within our operations and supply chains as minimal. Nonetheless, we remain vigilant in reviewing our procedures and practices to ensure effectiveness in mitigating these risks.
ISCB®'s Position on Modern Slavery
ISCB® is fully committed to ensuring that all business activities adhere to internationally recognized human rights standards, regardless of where they take place. We maintain a strict zero-tolerance policy toward any form of forced labor, child labor, or human trafficking, both in our direct business operations and in our supply chains. ISCB® complies with FAR 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and expects all employees and business partners to adhere to these high standards.
Due Diligence and Risk Assessment
Although we assess the risk of modern slavery to be low, ISCB® remains proactive in identifying any potential risk areas within our operations and supply chains. We understand that specific conditions can increase the risk of modern slavery, such as:
- Inadequate labor laws or poor enforcement,
- Widespread poverty,
- Discrimination against certain groups (e.g., women or ethnic minorities),
- Heavy reliance on migrant labor, and
- Conflict zones or high-risk industries involving raw materials.
Supplier Relationships and Compliance
ISCB® ensures that all suppliers are required to comply with all relevant laws, rulings, and regulations in the jurisdictions where they operate, including laws relating to equal opportunities, non-discrimination, and prohibitions against human trafficking and slavery. During the supplier onboarding process, we make our modern slavery policy clear and mandate that suppliers acknowledge their compliance.
Contract Provisions
Our supplier contracts include strict clauses prohibiting the use of forced labor, child labor, or human trafficking. ISCB® continues to review these relationships, implementing additional safeguards and corrective actions when necessary to ensure compliance.
Whistleblowing and Employee Training
Employees at ISCB® are encouraged to report any suspected unethical behavior or violations of human rights laws to senior management. ISCB® maintains a whistleblower protection system to ensure confidentiality and prevent retaliation against those who report violations.
We also provide ongoing training and awareness programs for our staff, including compliance training on the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking, ensuring all employees are equipped to recognize and act on these issues.
Monitoring and Reporting
ISCB® continually monitors its operations and supply chains to identify and mitigate any potential risks related to slavery or human trafficking. We use key performance indicators (KPIs) to track the effectiveness of our policies, including the percentage of suppliers vetted for ethical labor practices, breaches reported, and employees trained to identify risks.
Conclusion
ISCB® remains fully committed to ensuring that no part of our business or supply chain is involved in modern slavery or human trafficking. We will continue to review and update our policies and practices to uphold this commitment and safeguard human rights across our global operations.
This statement is made in compliance with Section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and represents ISCB®'s slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending on 2023.