Prohibiting modern slavery in our operations and supply chains
1. Purpose
BatteryMate has zero tolerance for modern slavery. This policy sets out our commitment to preventing slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour, debt bondage, human trafficking, deceptive recruiting and the worst forms of child labour in our own business and in the supply chains that bring our products to customers. It reflects the principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) and applies regardless of whether we are required to report under that Act.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all directors, employees, contractors and casual staff of BatteryMate, and to every supplier, manufacturer, freight forwarder, warehouse, marketplace and service provider we work with, in Australia and overseas. Because much of our range is sourced from manufacturers in Asia, our overseas product suppliers are the main focus of our due diligence.
3. Our commitments
- We will not knowingly use, or do business with anyone who uses, forced, bonded, trafficked or child labour.
- All workers in our business are engaged lawfully, paid at least the applicable award or minimum wage, free to leave their employment, and never asked to surrender identity documents or pay recruitment fees.
- We expect the same standards from suppliers and prefer to source from factories that can show independent social compliance audits (for example BSCI, SMETA or SA8000) or equivalent evidence.
- We will not ignore warning signs simply because a supplier offers a lower price.
4. What we expect from suppliers
Suppliers to BatteryMate must:
- Comply with all labour, health and safety, anti-slavery and anti-trafficking laws in the countries where they operate.
- Confirm that no forced, bonded, prison, trafficked or child labour is used in the manufacture of goods supplied to us, including by their own sub-suppliers.
- Provide factory details, audit reports or certifications when asked, and allow reasonable verification.
- Tell us promptly if they become aware of any actual or suspected modern slavery in their supply chain.
New product suppliers are asked to acknowledge this policy during onboarding. A supplier that cannot or will not meet these expectations, or that fails to fix a confirmed issue within an agreed time, will have orders suspended and may be removed from our approved supplier list.
5. Due diligence and risk assessment
- Identify higher-risk categories and sourcing countries in our range and prioritise those suppliers for review.
- Keep a register of active product suppliers, their factory locations and any compliance evidence held.
- Include modern slavery questions in supplier onboarding and periodic supplier reviews.
- Review this policy and our supplier register at least once a year and record any actions taken.
6. Raising a concern
Anyone who suspects modern slavery in our business or supply chain, including staff, suppliers and their workers, can report it to the Director at vishal@batterymate.com.au. Reports can be made confidentially, and no one will be disadvantaged for raising a genuine concern. Where a report indicates a serious or immediate risk to a person, we will refer it to the appropriate authorities, including the Australian Federal Police where relevant.
7. Responsibility
The Director is responsible for this policy, for approving new suppliers and for deciding how confirmed breaches are handled. All staff are responsible for following this policy and for raising concerns. Breaches by staff may result in disciplinary action; breaches by suppliers may result in termination of the relationship.
Timetech Pty Ltd trading as BatteryMate | ABN 27 622 229 305
