Modern Slavery Act 2015

Whirlpool UK Appliances Limited

Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 was introduced by the UK government to address slavery and human trafficking. Modern slavery can occur in various forms including servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking and can affect children and adults (“Slavery”).

Business Structure

Whirlpool UK Appliances Limited (‘Whirlpool UK’) is a subsidiary of Whirlpool Corporation (“Whirlpool”) which is located in Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA. Whirlpool is the number one major appliance manufacturer in the world with origins tracing back to 1911. Whirlpool manufactures products in 14 countries and markets products in nearly every country around the world under brand names such as Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, Jenn-Air, Indesit and Hotpoint*. Whirlpool’s reportable segments consist of North America, EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), Latin America and Asia. Whirlpool has approximately 93,000 employees.

Supply Chain

Whirlpool UK understands the importance of having an extensive and transparent supply chain and strives to ensure that its suppliers do not engage in any abusive, exploitative or illegal activities. Whirlpool, which Whirlpool UK is part of, is continually committed to ensuring that its suppliers operate in a manner that is consistent with Whirlpool’s global ethical standards. Whirlpool established the Global Supplier Code of Conduct in 2006 which reinforced its commitment to do business with fair and ethical suppliers. Please see http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/supplier-code-of-conduct/ for further information.

Policies and Controls

Whirlpool UK acknowledges that there is a continuous risk of Slavery in all sectors, industries and jurisdictions, particularly in relation to raw materials sourcing and product manufacturing. Consequently, Whirlpool UK has implemented enhanced measures to address Slavery.

• Code of Ethics - All Whirlpool UK employees are subject to Whirlpool’s Code of Ethics, which details Whirlpool’s policies such as the Diversity and Equal Opportunity policy and the Environmental, Health and Safety policy.
• Recruitment – Whirlpool UK prohibits abuse and discrimination in its workforce and ensures that it complies with all applicable laws and regulations and conducts relevant checks to prevent Slavery in its workforce.
• Global Supplier Code of Conduct/Supply Chain Transparency – Whirlpool’s Global Supplier Code of Conduct is incorporated by reference into our supply agreements, and contains the fundamental requirements we expect our suppliers to comply with to ensure business is conducted in an ethical and Slavery free manner.
• Audits – Whirlpool engages an independent agency to conduct periodic audits of select suppliers. This helps to ensure that our suppliers continue to comply with our Global Supplier Code of Conduct. The audits generally include confidential interviews with employees and on-site contract workers. Corrective action is taken with suppliers who do not address our concerns.
• Compliance Team – Whirlpool has a dedicated global compliance team, which oversees the enforcement of the Global Supplier Code of Conduct and encourages reporting of suspected non-compliance.

Whirlpool UK does not support Slavery but understands that it is a continuous risk. Consequently, Whirlpool monitors its business and strives to further enhance its culture and programmes to demonstrate its commitment.

April 2017

*Whirlpool ownership of the Hotpoint brand in EMEA and Asia Pacific regions is not affiliated with the Hotpoint brand in the Americas

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Maurizio Pettorino
Managing Director