Anti-Modern Slavery Policy

ritchie*studio operates from the UK providing architectural design services in both the UK and abroad. We carefully consider labour conditions and client/supplier policies prior to accepting commissions for work or contracting with a supply chain. We are currently only contracting within the UK and the EU where legal protections exist. Regardless of such protections, we recognise that Modern Slavery occurs in the UK and throughout the EU. We recognise that our social responsibility to help counter Modern Slavery extends to the materials and products we specify.

We conduct our business fairly, ethically and with respect to fundamental human rights. We are committed to the prevention of all forms of Modern Slavery, both in our business and in our supply chains. We will not tolerate it.

We have systems and procedures in place extending this policy to our supply chain under relevant contracts. We will give support and guidance to our suppliers as necessary to help them address coercive, abusive and exploitative work practices in their own business and supply chains.

We help to combat Modern Slavery in the industry by:

• training our staff, this includes advising on any changes in country or sector specific risks in relation to project specifications;
• being vigilant for signs of Modern Slavery on construction sites, most likely within smaller sub and sub-sub contract labour;
• advising our clients of the risks within the sector which can increase with ‘cut-price’ cost competitiveness;
• undertaking due diligence in relation to material and product specification, being extra conscious of higher risk countries (www.walkfree.org/global-Slavery-index/) and higher risk sectors;
• being aware of our clients’ and project funders’ policies and ethics in relation to labour protection and not taking commissions where either is questionable;
• increasing our due diligence when sourcing or operating in countries outside of the UK and the EU where no or more lax labour protections or lax enforcements exist; and as relevant,
• requiring our professional services supply chain to do the same and, when needed, providing them with the tools to do so.