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Anti-slavery and ethics policies

Anti-Slavery Policy

NPL is the United Kingdom's national standards laboratory, an internationally respected and independent centre of excellence in research. It is qualified to provide many scientific and technical measurement services because of the skills, experience and reputation of its professional staff and is engaged in the business of research and development and of providing training and consultancy services.

Modern slavery is a criminal offence under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and a violation of fundamental human rights. It takes various forms, such as slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking, all of which have in common the deprivation of a person's liberty by another in order to exploit them for personal or commercial gain.

NPL has a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and we are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective measures to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our own business or in any of our supply chains.

This policy applies to all persons working for us or on our behalf in any capacity, including employees at all levels, directors, officers, agency workers, seconded workers, students, volunteers, interns, agents, contractors, external consultants, third-party representatives and business partners.

Ethics Policy

The National Physical Laboratory's management framework and scientific principles are based on rigour, respect and responsibility.

NPL will:

  • Always work within sound scientific principles.
  • Challenge our involvement in scientific work that raises ethical issues.
  • Document our decision making.

NPL's scientific research is built on a foundation of trust and integrity and, as an organisation, we are committed to the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct. NPL's research is undertaken in accordance with the highest standards of research methodology.

NPL adheres to the Government Office for Science's Universal Ethical Code for Scientists.

This universal ethical code of the values and responsibilities of scientists, has three main aims:

  1. To encourage ethical research.
  2. To get scientists thinking about the implications and impacts of their work.
  3. To support communication between scientists and the public on complex and challenging issues.

NPL is committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains or in any part of our business.

NPL Slavery and human trafficking statement 2022

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