Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

We are committed to ensuring that slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in our organisation or any of our supply chains. 

We operate in over 90 countries worldwide, providing music assessments and learning resources to teachers and learners of music. Our examiners travel to assessment centres around the world to deliver face to face exams, or candidates can choose to take a digital assessment. We publish digital and print music, workbooks and practice papers and develop apps to support musical learning. For all these activities we rely on other organisations and individuals to help us develop and deliver our products and services. We recognise the inherent risk of modern slavery and human trafficking primarily in the hospitality and manufacturing sectors. To help us identify and mitigate risks of slavery and human trafficking, we have the following controls in place: 

1. We engage only reputable organisations or individuals to act on our behalf, vetting and training our local business partners, who are tasked with sourcing local hotels, venues and travel in relation to travel in and outside the UK. We vet new agents, contractors and suppliers before placing contracts with them, including taking references. 
2. We review the published modern slavery statements of our suppliers, and where necessary obtain annual assurance from existing suppliers that they assess their own supply chain and have safeguards in place to protect against slavery and human trafficking in their business.
3. We apply ethical and sustainable sourcing standards to our paper, office supplies and office fit out.
4. We use only reputable agencies to provide staff or services and ensuring that those staff are paid at least the national minimum wage. 
5. We comply with best practice when recruiting and employing staff. 
6. We have clear and effective lines of communication with our local business partners, and with examiners and staff travelling overseas, which they can use to report any concerns. We always act promptly on any feedback. 
7. The Governing Body has overall responsibility for ensuring our legal and ethical obligations, and reviews this statement annually. 

This statement was approved by ABRSM’s Governing Body on 22 June 2023