MODERN SLAVERY STATEMENT 2026

Our Business

Republic Technologies (UK) Limited is part of the Republic Technologies Group and is a specialist in the marketing and distribution of smoking accessories in the UK and Irish markets. Republic Technologies (UK) Limited has extensive experience in supplying the finest quality products through the group brands, including Swan®*, OCB®, JOB® and Zig Zag®**.

The Republic Technologies Group seeks to meet the expectations of its customers, suppliers, shareholders and employees. To achieve this, the Republic Technologies Group has established a Code of Conduct, with which Republic Technologies (UK) Limited is in full compliance. This Code of Conduct sets out, among other core principles—such as our strict prohibition of child and forced labour and our commitment to employee dignity—, the standards of behaviour that are expected in a modern working environment. Both this Code of Conduct and this statement can be found at: https://republictechnologies.co.uk/

Our Business

This statement is made in accordance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and sets out the steps that Republic Technologies (UK) Limited has taken -and will continue to take- to ensure where possible that modern slavery or human trafficking does not take place in its business or supply chain.

Modern Slavery encompasses slavery, servitude, human trafficking and forced labour. Republic Technologies (UK) Limited has a zero-tolerance approach to any form of slavery and endeavours to act ethically, with integrity and transparency in all business activities. Robust controls are maintained to prevent any form of modern slavery or human trafficking in its business activities.

Supplier Due Diligence

Republic Technologies (UK) Limited operates a supplier policy approval process designed to assess and mitigate the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking within its supply chain and maintains a preferred supplier list for third party suppliers. Due diligence is conducted with all suppliers before permitting them to become a preferred supplier to our business. This process may include, where appropriate, sanctions and adverse, review of publicly available information, assessment of the supplier’s policies and practices, and other risk-based verification measures.

Anti-slavery practices are integral part of the working relationships with key suppliers, who are required to confirm that no part of their business operation contravenes the relevant legislation and to maintain appropriate policies, procedures and controls to prevent, detect and address modern slavery and human trafficking within their own operations and supply chains. Republic Technologies (UK) Limited will not work with any organisation that is found to be knowingly involved in modem slavery or human trafficking.

Wherever possible the Republic Technologies Group seeks to self-manufacture in order to maintain full control of standards and operational correctness. Furthermore, Republic Technologies (UK) Limited continuously works with its purchasing staff to help them understand the signs of modern slavery and the appropriate steps to take should they suspect such practices within the supply chain.

Internal Policies

Republic Technologies (UK) Limited operates several internal policies ensuring that its business is conducted in an ethical and transparent manner:

Recruitment Policy: Republic Technologies (UK) Limited operates a robust recruitment policy to ensure that all workers are legally entitled to work in UK. Appropriate pre-employment checks are carried out to safeguard against human trafficking, forced labour, and exploitation, preventing individuals from being forced to work against their will.

Training and Awareness: Republic Technologies (UK) Limited promotes awareness of modern slavery risks among employees involved in recruitment, procurement and supplier management, helping them recognise potential indicators of exploitation and understand the appropriate reporting procedures.

Whistleblowing Policy: Republic Technologies (UK) Limited operates a whistleblowing policy that enables employees to raise concerns about the treatment of colleagues or practices within its supply chain without fear of reprisals. All reports are handled seriously and investigated in accordance with the Republic Technologies Group’s procedures.

Fair Pay: Republic Technologies UK Limited ensures that employees are treated fairly and paid at least the National Living Wage / National Minimum Wage, in compliance with current UK legislation.

Audits: Republic Technologies UK Limited conducts periodic visits to suppliers to audit their processes to minimize the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking. These audits give us greater confidence in the ethical standards of our suppliers and all audit outcomes are formally recorded. In addition, Republic Technologies (UK) Limited accommodates audit requests from our trade customers who may also wish to visit our suppliers.

Supplier agreements: Republic Technologies (UK) Limited’s supplier agreements reflect its commitment to acting ethically and with integrity in all business relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking is not taking place anywhere in the supply chains.

Actions Taken and Continuous Improvement

Over the last 12 months, Republic Technologies (UK) Limited has continued to refine its processes and deploy internal resources to better manage modern slavery and human trafficking risks across our operations and key supply chain relationships. This has included engaging with management, embedding anti-slavery expectations into our supplier channels, maintaining staff awareness during induction programmes, and integrating high-level risk considerations into its broader procurement reviews.

Republic Technologies (UK) Limited will continue to strengthen its approach in this area as it identifies opportunities for ongoing improvement. Should you have any concerns or questions regarding this statement, please do not hesitate to contact Republic Technologies (UK) Limited.

This statement represents Republic Technologies (UK) Limited’s Modern Slavery Statement for the current financial year. It has been approved by the Board of Directors at its meeting on 5th March 2026.