Introduction

The Trade & Customs Standards Association (TCSA) is committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships, and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery and human trafficking are not taking place anywhere in our own operations or in those of any third parties with whom we work.

Our Organisation

TCSA is an independent standards and membership body established in 1999. We operate across the customs, freight, logistics, and international trade sectors, providing professional standards, procurement support, supplier verification, and member services. Our operations are based in the United Kingdom.

Our Supply Chains

Given the nature of our operations — principally the provision of professional services, membership administration, and advisory support — our supply chains are limited primarily to technology providers, professional service firms, and event suppliers. We procure goods and services from a range of UK-based and international organisations.

We recognise that all organisations carry a risk of modern slavery. We are committed to assessing and addressing this risk within our procurement practices and supplier relationships.

Policies in Relation to Slavery and Human Trafficking

We operate and uphold the following policies relevant to modern slavery:

  • Ethical Trading Policy: We are committed to acting fairly and with integrity in all supplier and partner relationships.
  • Supplier Due Diligence: We undertake appropriate due diligence on suppliers, particularly those operating in higher-risk sectors or jurisdictions.
  • Whistleblowing Policy: We encourage staff, contractors, and members to report any concerns relating to modern slavery or human trafficking, with assured protection from retaliation.
  • Recruitment Practices: We use reputable recruitment channels and verify the eligibility of all individuals to work in the United Kingdom in compliance with applicable law.

Due Diligence Processes

We conduct due diligence on new and existing suppliers to identify and mitigate the risks of modern slavery. Our due diligence includes reviewing suppliers' own policies and practices, assessing risk by sector and geography, and seeking confirmation of compliance with applicable laws including the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Where concerns are identified, we will engage with suppliers to remediate issues and, where necessary, discontinue relationships that pose unacceptable risk.

Risk Assessment

We assess the risk of modern slavery within our operations and supply chains annually. TCSA's own operations present a low risk of modern slavery given their professional services nature and UK-centric focus. However, we remain vigilant to indirect exposure through our wider supplier network and member organisations.

Key Performance Indicators

To measure the effectiveness of our approach, we monitor:

  • Completion of due diligence checks on suppliers
  • Inclusion of modern slavery compliance obligations in new supplier contracts
  • Reporting of any concerns raised through our whistleblowing channels
  • Annual review and update of this statement

Training

We provide information and guidance to relevant staff on identifying the signs of modern slavery and human trafficking, and on the appropriate steps to take if concerns are identified. We are committed to raising awareness across our organisation and, where appropriate, with our members and partners.

Our Commitment

TCSA is committed to improving our practices to combat modern slavery in our operations and supply chains. We review this statement annually and will update our practices in line with legislative changes, guidance from the Home Office, and evolving best practice.

This statement is made pursuant to Section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our slavery and human trafficking statement for the current financial year.

Contact

Questions or concerns relating to this statement should be directed to TCSA at members@tcsa.org.uk.