Viessmann Limited
Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement
2nd January 2024
Viessmann Limited is a limited company registered in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (Company Reg. No. 2305071)
1.Introduction from the Managing Director
Viessmann Climate Solutions (VCS) understands the risks of modern slavery and is committed to ensuring robust systems are put in place to prevent slavery, human trafficking and labour exploitation occurring in any part of its business or supply chains.
VCS recognises that the Modern Slavery Act 2015 requires commercial businesses in the UK, with a total annual global turnover of £36m or more, to disclose information regarding their policies to eradicate slavery and human trafficking from their supply chain and within their organisation.
This Statement sets out the steps that VCS has taken to ensure that modern slavery, human trafficking and labour exploitation is not occurring within the organisation or its supply chains. The Company acknowledges responsibility to the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and will remain vigilant and committed to ensure its values and expectations are communicated to all its suppliers and continues to play an active role in working with them to ensure quality and transparency throughout the supply chain.
2.About VCS
VCS is part of Carrier Global Corporation ("Carrier") which is a leading global provider of heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC); refrigeration; fire and security solutions. VCS’s comprehensive product portfolio offers individual solutions and efficient systems with output ratings from 1.5 to 120,000 kilowatts, for all application areas and all energy sources.
VCS has a proud reputation for quality, innovation, reliability and fairness. VCS corporate values focus on innovation, quality, efficiency, sustainability and reliability and within all processes, Their aim is to ensure that economic, ecological and social responsibility remain in balance.
This is supported by VCS commitment to a continuous programme of improvement and its adherence to the following quality management systems, certified by independent third parties:
ISO 9001 (Quality management)
ISO 14001 and EMAS (Environmental management)
OHSAS 18001 (Health-/safety management)
ISO 50001 (Energy management)
VCS Company Management Policy and Values puts people at the very heart of its focus, showing commitment to employees, how it communicates with them, how it trains and
involves them in the business. The VCS Management Policy and Values are included in the Company Handbook and shared with every employee.
3.Supply chain structure and activities
VCS will not knowingly transact with any partners who are in breach of applicable legislation and regulations, including health, safety, environmental and employment laws.
VCS has strong working relationships with its partner organisations. VCS UK primary suppliers are based in Germany, Turkey, Netherlands and the UK. According to the 2016 Global Slavery Index, these EU countries are regarded as low risk countries in relation to modern forms of slavery and labour exploitation.
4.Due diligence and Compliance
VCS Compliance Guideline is its ethical and legal compass, used to ensure the Company upholds its values in every aspect of its work. Specifically in Cooperation with Customers and Suppliers and clarifies that employees, customers and suppliers must respect human rights and comply with laws against child labour. We do not enter into business with any organisation, in the UK or abroad, which knowingly supports or is found to be involved in slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.
To ensure a high level of understanding of the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in the Company and its supply chains, all managers and employees are required to read, understand and comply with its Tackling Modern Slavery Policy.
All employees have a responsibility to report any concerns regarding modern slavery, labour exploitation and human trafficking, and management have a responsibility to act upon such concerns in an efficient, timely, effective and fair way. Employees are encouraged to identify and report any potential breaches of the Company’s Tackling Modern Slavery Policy and are reminded of the whistleblowing protection offered by the Company. The policy makes it clear that any breaches of the policy will lead to disciplinary action which could lead to dismissal for gross misconduct. This is explained and reiterated both in the Company Handbook and during the induction of all new employees.
Our recruitment and people management processes are designed to ensure that all prospective employees are legally entitled to work in the UK and to safeguard employees from any abuse or coercion.
This statement is reviewed annually, or in response to any major business or organisational change, legislative change or any breach or concerns regarding modern slavery, labour exploitation and human trafficking. The Senior Management team are responsible for planning, communicating, resourcing and delivering all actions associated with meeting their obligations outlined in this Statement.
5.Policies
We are a Living Wage Employer and aim to provide a rewarding working environment in which people are valued and respected. We have a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and look after the wellbeing of our people, ensuring that they are safe and that we care for them appropriately.
We set out the ethical standards we expect of our employees in a number of policies and our Employee Handbook. For our own operations, our policies and procedures aim to ensure that we create a safe and inclusive working environment for our employees. Our Employee Handbook and internal intranet contains policies and procedures including:
whistleblowing
bullying and harassment
corporate responsibility
diversity, equity and inclusion
6. Training and Embedding the principles
We will continue to embed principles through:
providing awareness training to employees on the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and informing them of the appropriate action to take if they suspect a case of slavery or human trafficking
ensuring any employees involved in procurement activity are aware of and follow modern slavery procurement guidance on GOV.UK
ensuring that consideration of the modern slavery risks and prevention are added to VCS policy review process as an employer and procurer of goods and services
continuing to take action to embed a zero tolerance policy towards modern slavery ensuring that employees involved in buying or procurement and the recruitment and deployment of workers receive training on modern slavery and ethical employment practices.
7. Conclusion
This statement is made pursuant to section 54 (1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes VCS Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement for the financial year ending 5 April 2025.
For and on behalf of Viessmann Climate Solutions
Graham Russell
Viessmann Limited
Managing Director