STERIS plc and its Board of Directors strongly oppose all forms of slavery, servitude, forced labor, child labor and human trafficking. The Company recognizes that human trafficking and slavery can occur in many forms. References in this Statement to "human trafficking and slavery" are intended to encompass any form of coerced labor. This Statement sets out the steps that STERIS plc (and with its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries collectively the "Company" or "STERIS") have taken to prevent human trafficking and slavery in their businesses and supply chains in fiscal 2018.
STERIS is a leading provider of infection prevention and other procedural products and services. STERIS's mission is to help its Customers create a healthier and safer world by providing innovative healthcare and life science product and service solutions around the globe. STERIS offers its Customers a unique mix of innovative capital equipment products, such as sterilizers and washers, surgical tables, lights and equipment management systems and connectivity solutions such as operating room integration; consumable products such as detergents and gastrointestinal endoscopy accessories and other products; services, including equipment installation and maintenance, microbial reduction of medical devices, instrument and scope repair solutions, laboratory services and outsourced reprocessing. STERIS manufactures, sources, and provides services and solutions to its Customers globally. The Company's supply chains include thousands of suppliers and are extensive and complex.
The Company has implemented and maintains systems and processes to avoid complicity in human trafficking and slavery related to our operations and those of our affiliates and subsidiaries, as well as any such activity occurring within our supply chains or the supply chains of our affiliates.
The Company maintains a Code of Business Conduct ("Code"), which requires all employees, among other obligations, to act lawfully, ethically, and responsibly in all of their business practices, and to comply with applicable laws. New employees are required to acknowledge their understanding of the Code and commit to adhering to the Code's policies. The Company requires all employees to participate in a training program every other year and to attest to their understanding of, and adherence to, the Code.
The Code also specifically provides that a failure by any employee to comply with laws or regulations governing the Company's business or the Code may result in disciplinary action, termination, and if warranted, legal proceedings, and provides for communication channels to be utilized in case of any violations. To further encourage compliance and the reporting of violations, the Company maintains an Integrity Helpline (reporting system) and website, available to employees as well as Customers, suppliers and all other business partners of STERIS. A strict anti-retaliation policy is followed, and reports may be made anonymously. All reports are promptly addressed by the Company's ethics committee and reviewed each quarter by the Compliance Committee of STERIS plc's Board of Directors. STERIS has not received any reports with respect to our businesses regarding human trafficking or slavery.
The Company has no reason to believe that any human trafficking or slavery is occurring in any of the Company's businesses. Nonetheless, the Company has taken the following steps to detect and prevent any violations of applicable human trafficking and slavery laws or conditions that may give rise to a violation:
The Company will not work with any organization it finds to be knowingly involved with human trafficking or slavery. STERIS encourages everyone, including employees, contractors and suppliers, to report in good faith any issues or concerns regarding human trafficking or slavery.
The STERIS plc Directors and Senior Management are responsible for ensuring that the activities of the Company continue to comply with applicable human trafficking and slavery laws. To this end, STERIS will continue to provide adequate resources, the commitment of its employees, training, and investment to ensure compliance.
Signed: Date: September 25, 2018
Walter M Rosebrough, Jr.
President, CEO and Director