Issue 38 – May 2024
This month’s clickable highlights:
Fast Forward News
- Brand Associate option launch!
- Modern Slavery and the UK AGM Sectors – What you need to know! Recording now available!
- SEP Supplier Training – BOOK NOW!
- Stronger Together’s LinkedIn – follow us!
Industry and Legislative News
- GOV.UK eVisa rollout begins with immigration documents replaced by 2025
- The European Union has passed the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)
- Modern slavery statement registry updated
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The Fast Forward Team
FAST FORWARD NEWS
Brand Associate Launch
On the 1 May, Stronger Together launched a Brand Associate option for the Fast Forward UK Apparel and General Merchandise programme, tailored for UK small and medium-sized brands with a turnover under £36 million. A unique ethical labour standards improvement initiative designed to provide a step-by-step journey to enhance knowledge through an online education programme and collaboration with peer brands.
Find out more or contact enquiries@fastforwarduk.org
Modern Slavery and the UK AGM Sectors –
What you need to know! Recording now available
The apparel and general merchandise sectors are amongst the high-risk sectors for labour exploitation in the UK. If you were unable to attend you can now watch the webinar to hear insights from industry experts on the risks in the sectors, the actions taken, and the support available to help develop capacity and give you the tools to mitigate the risks in your operations and supply chains. Speakers include:
- Mashuda Begum, Senior Responsible Sourcing Manager at Tesco and
- Tarek Islam, Senior Community Engagement & Outreach Worker Fashion-workers Advice Bureau Leicester at Fab-L. WATCH HERE
Supplier (SEP) Training Sessions
The Supplier Engagement Programme (SEP) training sessions are now available to book through your Dashboard. This presents a valuable opportunity for both brands and suppliers to upskill and maximise the benefits of our programme.
During these 2.5-hour training sessions, your business can gain essential insights on how to effectively navigate your dedicated dashboard and self-paced Core Standards training modules, ensuring you remain well-informed about the latest standards and industry practices.
Our training sessions are open to both SEP subscribers and Brand members.
At each session, we offer dedicated breakouts for suppliers and brands separately. This provides a unique space for peer-to-peer discussions on best practice and challenges.
If you are an SEP subscriber or Member Brand review the full agenda.
Stronger Together’s LinkedIn
Follow us at Stronger Together for continued connection!
LEGISLATIVE AND INDUSTRY NEWS
GOV.UK eVisa rollout begins
with immigration documents replaced by 2025
From April 17, 2024, the Home Office initiated the process of sending emails to holders of physical immigration documents, such as biometric residence permits (BRPs), prompting them to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to access their eVisa – a digital proof of their immigration status. This phased invitation process will precede the opening of the system to all BRP holders in the summer of 2024 and progress towards implementing eVisas for nearly all visa holders residing in the UK by 2025.
The transition to eVisas is aimed at enhancing border security, reducing the risk of document-related fraud, and providing a convenient and secure means for individuals to prove their immigration status. By offering a contactless solution, the government aims to streamline processes, safeguard taxpayer funds, and provide greater control and accessibility to both the UK public and visa customers.
The European Union has passed the
Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive
(CSDDD)
The European Union has passed the CSDDD requiring businesses to undertake human rights and environmental due diligence throughout their value chains. The directive mandates firms, along with their partners throughout the supply chain, to actively prevent, mitigate, or end adverse effects on human rights and the environment, encompassing issues like slavery, child labor, and pollution.
Applicable to EU companies with over 1000 employees or significant turnover, as well as non-EU firms meeting specified criteria, these regulations compel integration of due diligence into business policies, investments, and support for compliance among smaller partners. Moreover, stringent fines and victim compensation measures underscore the commitment to accountability, with member states tasked to provide detailed guidance and establish supervisory authorities for enforcement.
The modern slavery statement registry updated
The Home Office has announced updates to the modern slavery statement registry, with revisions aiming to prompt timely submissions of annual modern slavery statements and assist companies in crafting robust declarations. Notably, the updates include email notifications and reminders to registered companies, as well as clearer visibility on statement completion levels, fostering accountability and facilitating informed decision-making.
Just Good Work
Just Good Work is a free, interactive mobile app giving jobseekers and workers from the UK or abroad critical information and advice on recruitment and employment. The Fast Forward audit requires businesses to display the Just Good Work poster.
Posters are available to download for free in nine languages from the Fast Forward website: Albanian, Bulgarian, English, Croatian, Gujarati, Polish, Romanian, Serbian and Ukrainian.
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