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Avancio Modern Slavery Statement

Introduction

Avancio is committed to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in all its forms. As an IT consulting company with a global presence, we recognize our responsibility to uphold human rights and ensure ethical practices across our operations and supply chains. This statement outlines our approach to tackling modern slavery and our ongoing efforts to improve our practices. This statement is made pursuant to the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and relevant European Union regulations, including the EU Directive on Non-Financial Reporting (2014/95/EU), for the financial year ending December 31, 2023.

Our Business and Supply Chains

Avancio provides IT consulting services to clients worldwide, including software development, IT infrastructure management, and digital transformation solutions. We operate in multiple countries, collaborating with a diverse range of suppliers and partners.

Our supply chains primarily include providers of software, hardware, and professional services. We are dedicated to ensuring that our suppliers adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct.

Organizational Structure

Avancio is headquartered in Sweden, with a broad international presence. Our global operations are supported by a network of regional offices.

Risk Assessment and Due Diligence

Avancio conducts thorough due diligence to identify and mitigate risks of modern slavery within our operations and supply chains:

  • We evaluate potential suppliers based on their ability to meet our ethical standards. This includes reviewing their labor practices and conducting on-site audits where necessary.
  • We regularly assess the risk of modern slavery in different regions and industries, focusing on areas with higher vulnerability. This helps us implement targeted measures to address these risks.

Policies and Commitments

We have implemented a comprehensive set of policies to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking within our organization and supply chains:

  • Our Code of Conduct explicitly prohibits all forms of forced labor, child labor, and human trafficking. It applies to all employees, contractors, and suppliers.
  • We require our suppliers to adhere to our Supplier Code of Conduct, which outlines our expectations regarding labor practices, human rights, and ethical behavior.
  • We maintain a confidential whistleblower policy that encourages employees and suppliers to report any concerns related to modern slavery or unethical practices.

Training and Awareness

We are committed to raising awareness and educating our employees and suppliers about modern slavery:

  • We provide regular training to employees on recognizing the signs of modern slavery and reporting any concerns. This training is mandatory and updated annually.
  • We engage with our suppliers to ensure they understand our standards and their role in preventing modern slavery. This includes providing resources and support to help them comply with our policies.

Monitoring and Reporting

We continually monitor our practices and take steps to improve our approach to preventing modern slavery:

  • We conduct regular audits of our suppliers and internal processes to ensure compliance with our policies. Our Vendor Management Program includes rigorous supplier assessment processes, including the evaluation of supplier modern slavery statements.
  • We have established clear reporting mechanisms for employees and suppliers to raise concerns about modern slavery. Reports can be made confidentially and without fear of retaliation.
  • We are committed to reviewing and improving our policies and practices to combat modern slavery. This includes staying informed about best practices and legislative developments.

Future Steps and Goals

Looking ahead, Avancio aims to further enhance our efforts against modern slavery by:

  • We will broaden our risk assessment scope to cover more regions and industries.
  • We plan to deepen our engagement with suppliers to ensure compliance with our ethical standards.
  • We will continue to update and expand our training programs for employees and suppliers.

Governance

Our Modern Slavery Committee, comprising senior executives, oversees the implementation of our anti-modern slavery initiatives. This committee is responsible for reviewing our policies, monitoring compliance, and ensuring that we meet our ethical commitments.

Conclusion

Avancio is dedicated to upholding human rights and eliminating modern slavery from our operations and supply chains. We will continue to take proactive steps to ensure ethical practices and protect the rights of workers worldwide. This statement has been approved by our Board of Directors and will be reviewed annually.