Modern Slavery Statement
ZING Sportswear provides services to football clubs in the UK and across the world. We supply goods, including custom kits, football training kits, teamwear, and merchandise, as well as services such as websites and club shops. ZING Sportswear is based out of our office in Plymouth, Devon, where most of our team operates. We work with several third-party suppliers to deliver our goods and services.
Policy Statement
Modern slavery is a crime and a violation of fundamental human rights. ZING Sportswear is committed to ethical business practices and has a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of modern slavery, including slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour, and human trafficking.
We expect the same high ethical standards from all organisations in our supply chain and partner network. We are committed to working only with partners who share our values and uphold robust human rights protections.
Our Organisation Structure & Supply Chain
ZING Sportswear staff do not fall into any category considered vulnerable to modern slavery in the UK. Consequently, our primary focus under the Modern Slavery Act is ensuring that our supply chain and partner organisations are free from exploitative practices.
ZING Sportswear outsources manufacturing and distribution to suppliers in the UK, Europe, and Asia, enabling us to meet the diverse needs of football clubs.
Due to the tiered and global nature of our supply chain, our suppliers may also source products or raw materials from additional organisations in various geographies. Recognising this complexity, we take steps to ensure transparency and ethical compliance at every level.
Our Approach to Modern Slavery Prevention
ZING Sportswear is dedicated to preventing slavery, servitude, forced labour, and human trafficking across all aspects of its operations. Our efforts include:
- Internal MeasuresManagement Leadership: Ensuring senior management is educated on modern slavery risks and equipped to cascade this knowledge to their teams.
Training: Providing relevant employees with tools to identify signs of modern slavery and act appropriately.
2. Supply Chain Management
Supplier Code of Conduct: Requiring all suppliers and partners to adhere to a code of conduct outlining our anti-slavery expectations.
Due Diligence: Conducting risk assessments and requiring transparency from suppliers about their operations and sourcing practices.
Contractual Obligations: Embedding anti-slavery clauses in supplier agreements to ensure compliance.
Audits: Regularly evaluating suppliers’ practices and reserving the right to conduct on-site audits to verify compliance.
3. Incident Response
If evidence of modern slavery is found in our supply chain or among our partners, ZING Sportswear will respond decisively. This includes:
Investigating allegations promptly and fairly.
Providing suppliers with an opportunity to remediate any issues, where feasible.
Terminating relationships where compliance cannot be achieved.
We will report severe incidents to relevant authorities and seek guidance from ethical and governing bodies as needed.
Risk Management and Mitigation
ZING Sportswear acknowledges that certain geographies or sectors may pose higher risks of modern slavery. We commit to:
Mapping our supply chain to identify high-risk areas.
Prioritising partnerships with suppliers certified by ethical trade organisations or standards such as SEDEX or the Fair Wear Foundation.
Collaborating with industry initiatives to promote collective action against modern slavery.
Continuous Improvement and Policy Review
ZING Sportswear is committed to regularly updating its modern slavery policy to align with evolving regulations, industry best practices, and supply chain complexities. We will:
Annually review our policy and update our processes as needed.
Encourage suppliers to adopt similar review mechanisms to uphold ethical practices.
Training and Awareness
To maintain vigilance against modern slavery, ZING Sportswear will ensure that:
All employees, especially those involved in procurement and supplier management, receive regular training on recognising and mitigating the risks of modern slavery.
New employees and partners are provided with clear guidance on ZING Sportswear’s ethical standards and modern slavery policy at the outset of their relationship with us.
Suppliers are informed of policy updates and expectations to foster shared accountability.
Statement Approval
This statement has been formally approved by the Directors of ZING Sportswear and reflects the organisation’s commitment to ethical practices.