UK Modern Slavery Act
Modern Slavery Act 2015, section 54 — Transparency in supply chains
Topic : Human rights · Level : National
Today
In force; Immigration and Asylum Bill (30 Jun 2026) at Commons committee stage (2 Nov 2026): mandatory content, civil fines.
Summary
UK law requiring companies with GBP 36m+ turnover doing business in the UK to publish an annual statement on human-rights steps in their business and supply chains. A 2026 bill would make content mandatory and add fines.
Who is concerned
- Turnover
- >= GBP 36m total turnover
- Employees
- non précisé
- Listed company
- cotées et non cotées
- Sectors
- All sectors
- Triggering activities
- Supplying goods or services
- Carrying on business in the UK
- Extraterritorial reach
- Yes
Applies to foreign companies doing business in the UK; statement covers their global supply chains.
- Examples
- UK retailer sourcing apparel from China
- Chinese group with a UK sales subsidiary over GBP 36m
What the law requires
- Publish an annual statement on the website
- Have it approved by the board and signed by a director
- Describe supply-chain due diligence and risk assessment
- Report training and key performance indicators
Penalties
Today: injunction only. Bill: civil penalty up to greater of GBP 1m or 1% of turnover, set by regulations; one per statement per year.
What this changes for a supplier in China
UK buyers send forced-labour questionnaires and audit requests to Chinese suppliers; reform would push deeper tracing and evidence of effectiveness.
Expected evidence
- Forced labour policy and recruitment fee policy
- Social audit report (e.g. SMETA)
- Raw material origin traceability
Tiers : Tier 1-N