Modern Slavery Statement (Ireland)
MODERN SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING STATEMENT
[Organisation Name] (CRO: [Organisation CRO]) | [Financial Year End]
Registered address: [Organisation Address]
Date: [Statement Date]
1. INTRODUCTION AND COMMITMENT
[Organisation Name] is committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure that modern slavery and human trafficking is not taking place anywhere in our own business or in any of our supply chains. We support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights and will not be complicit in human rights abuses.
This statement is made in accordance with the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Acts 2008 and 2013, which criminalise trafficking in human beings for labour exploitation, sexual exploitation, and removal of organs in Ireland. It also reflects our obligations under the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and anticipates the requirements of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).
2. ORGANISATION STRUCTURE AND SUPPLY CHAINS
[Business Description]
Employees: [Employee Count]
Supply chain: [Supply Chain Description]
Higher-risk sectors and geographies: [High Risk Sectors]
3. POLICIES AND DUE DILIGENCE
Relevant policies: [Existing Policies]
Supplier due diligence: [Due Diligence Process]
Worker voice and grievance mechanisms: [Worker Voice Mechanisms]
4. TRAINING AND EFFECTIVENESS
Training: [Training Provided]
KPIs: [KPIs Metrics]
Incidents identified in reporting period: [Incidents Reported]
5. FUTURE COMMITMENTS
[Future Commitments]
This statement has been approved by the board of directors of [Organisation Name] and signed on their behalf by [Board Approver].
Board Approver / CEO
________________
Signature
Date: ________________
What Is a Modern Slavery Statement (Ireland)?
A Modern Slavery Statement in Ireland sets out the standards, responsibilities, and procedures the organisation expects everyone to follow, and takes its legal force from the Companies Act 2014.
The legal framework governing the Modern Slavery Statement (Ireland) in Ireland draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. Under the Companies Act 2014, the Companies Registration Office (CRO) maintains the register of Irish companies. Section 343 of the Companies Act 2014 sets annual confirmation obligations. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2022. The Central Bank of Ireland regulates financial services under the Central Bank Act 1971. The High Court of Ireland has jurisdiction under Section 212 of the Companies Act 2014. Parties executing a Modern Slavery Statement (Ireland) in Ireland should confirm the document reflects current Irish law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Companies Act 2014 sets the foundational requirements, while secondary legislation and statutory instruments may impose additional obligations depending on the specific circumstances of the transaction. Under Section 67 of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 and the Registration of Title Act 1964, property-related elements must comply with the Property Registration Authority (PRA) requirements. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2022 in consumer-facing transactions. The Companies Act 2014, Section 169, and the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 impose non-discrimination obligations on all commercial agreements executed in Ireland.
The legal framework governing the Modern Slavery Statement (Ireland) in Ireland draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. Under the Companies Act 2014, the Companies Registration Office (CRO) maintains the register of Irish companies. Section 343 of the Companies Act 2014 sets annual confirmation obligations. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2022. The Central Bank of Ireland regulates financial services under the Central Bank Act 1971. The High Court of Ireland has jurisdiction under Section 212 of the Companies Act 2014. Parties executing a Modern Slavery Statement (Ireland) in Ireland should confirm the document reflects current Irish law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Companies Act 2014 sets the foundational requirements, while secondary legislation and statutory instruments may impose additional obligations depending on the specific circumstances of the transaction.
When Do You Need a Modern Slavery Statement (Ireland)?
A modern slavery statement is needed in Ireland when a company wishes to demonstrate its commitment to ethical supply chains and human rights compliance. It is particularly important for companies with international supply chains, companies tendering for public procurement contracts under the European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016, companies subject to CSRD reporting obligations, and companies in high-risk sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, or cleaning services.
Parties in Ireland should prepare a Modern Slavery Statement (Ireland) proactively rather than waiting for a dispute to arise. Irish courts, including the District Court, Circuit Court, and High Court of Ireland, interpret agreements based on the written terms rather than oral representations. Under the Companies Act 2014, the Companies Registration Office (CRO) maintains the register of Irish companies. Section 343 of the Companies Act 2014 sets annual confirmation obligations. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2022. The Central Bank of Ireland regulates financial services under the Central Bank Act 1971. The High Court of Ireland has jurisdiction under Section 212 of the Companies Act 2014. Where the transaction involves regulated activities, prior approval from the relevant authority — such as the Central Bank of Ireland, Companies Registration Office (CRO), or Data Protection Commission (DPC) — may be required before execution. Consulting a qualified Irish solicitor confirms all regulatory steps are completed in the correct order. Under Section 67 of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 and the Registration of Title Act 1964, property-related elements must comply with the Property Registration Authority (PRA) requirements. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2022 in consumer-facing transactions. The Companies Act 2014, Section 169, and the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 impose non-discrimination obligations on all commercial agreements executed in Ireland.
What to Include in Your Modern Slavery Statement (Ireland)
A thorough Irish modern slavery statement should describe the organisation's structure, business, and supply chain; outline the policies in place to combat modern slavery (referencing the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Acts); describe the due diligence processes applied to suppliers; identify the risk areas and the steps taken to mitigate them; describe training provided to staff; and set out key performance indicators to measure effectiveness. The statement should be approved by the board, signed by a director, and published on the company's website. The forms-legal.com Modern Slavery Statement (Ireland) template covers the mandatory elements under Companies Act 2014.
Additional compliance elements for a Modern Slavery Statement (Ireland) used in Ireland include: Data Protection — the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR Article 6 require a lawful basis for processing personal data; Governing Law — specify Irish law and the jurisdiction of Irish courts; Dispute Resolution — parties may refer disputes to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) for employment matters or initiate proceedings in the Circuit Court or High Court of Ireland for civil claims. Under the Companies Act 2014, the Companies Registration Office (CRO) maintains the register of Irish companies. Section 343 of the Companies Act 2014 sets annual confirmation obligations. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2022. The Central Bank of Ireland regulates financial services under the Central Bank Act 1971. The High Court of Ireland has jurisdiction under Section 212 of the Companies Act 2014. Revenue Commissioners require appropriate tax treatment of payments made under the agreement, including VAT under the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010 where applicable. Under Section 67 of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 and the Registration of Title Act 1964, property-related elements must comply with the Property Registration Authority (PRA) requirements. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2022 in consumer-facing transactions. The Companies Act 2014, Section 169, and the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 impose non-discrimination obligations on all commercial agreements executed in Ireland.
Additional compliance elements for a Modern Slavery Statement (Ireland) used in Ireland include: Data Protection — the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR Article 6 require a lawful basis for processing personal data; Governing Law — specify Irish law and the jurisdiction of Irish courts; Dispute Resolution — parties may refer disputes to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) for employment matters or initiate proceedings in the Circuit Court or High Court of Ireland for civil claims. Under the Companies Act 2014, the Companies Registration Office (CRO) maintains the register of Irish companies. Section 343 of the Companies Act 2014 sets annual confirmation obligations. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2022. The Central Bank of Ireland regulates financial services under the Central Bank Act 1971. The High Court of Ireland has jurisdiction under Section 212 of the Companies Act 2014. Revenue Commissioners require appropriate tax treatment of payments made under the agreement, including VAT under the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010 where applicable.
Sources & Citations
Statutory citations link to official government sources.
- GDPR Article 6EU – GDPR
Cite this page
Reference this free template in an article, syllabus, or research note:
Forms Legal. (2026). Modern Slavery Statement (Ireland) (Ireland) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/ireland/business/policies/modern-slavery-statement-ireland
"Modern Slavery Statement (Ireland) (Ireland)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/ireland/business/policies/modern-slavery-statement-ireland.
@misc{formslegal-modern-slavery-statement-ireland,
author = {{Forms Legal}},
title = {Modern Slavery Statement (Ireland) (Ireland)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/ireland/business/policies/modern-slavery-statement-ireland}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Companies Act 2014}
}Also available for these jurisdictions:
Frequently Asked Questions
As of 2024, Ireland does not have a standalone modern slavery Act equivalent to the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 that mandates annual transparency statements for large businesses. However, Irish businesses may be subject to modern slavery reporting obligations through other mechanisms. Companies with operations or supply chains in the UK that meet the relevant turnover threshold (£36 million global annual turnover) must publish an annual modern slavery statement under section 54 of the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015. The EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) (Directive 2022/2464/EU), which came into force progressively from 2024, requires large EU companies to report on human rights and supply chain due diligence, including forced labour risks, as part of mandatory sustainability reporting under the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). The EU Regulation on Prohibiting Products Made with Forced Labour, proposed in 2022, will also affect Irish businesses importing or selling goods with forced labour in their supply chain. Even where not legally required, publishing a modern slavery statement is increasingly expected by institutional investors, procurement bodies, and public sector clients as part of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) requirements.
The primary Irish legislation addressing human trafficking and forced labour is the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008 and the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) (Amendment) Act 2013. The 2008 Act implemented the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons. Under the 2008 Act, trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labour exploitation, sexual exploitation, or removal of organs is a criminal offence punishable by up to life imprisonment. The 2013 Amendment Act broadened the definition of trafficking to include 'forced labour or services, including begging' and strengthened protections for victims. The Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017 provides further protections for victims of trafficking. Employers who knowingly use the services of forced labour are liable under the Employment Permits Acts 2003–2014 and may face prosecution for related offences. Ireland also implemented the EU Anti-Trafficking Directive (2011/36/EU) through the 2013 Act. The Department of Justice publishes National Action Plans to Combat Human Trafficking that set out Ireland's policy priorities.
An effective Irish modern slavery statement should cover the following key areas. First, an organisational overview: the structure of the business, the industries and geographies in which it operates, and the nature of its supply chains. Second, a statement of commitment: the organisation's commitment to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in its business and supply chains, referencing the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Acts and applicable EU directives. Third, risk assessment: a description of the due diligence process for assessing and managing the risk of modern slavery and forced labour in the supply chain, including higher-risk sectors (e.g. agriculture, construction, hospitality, cleaning services) and geographies. Fourth, due diligence policies and procedures: supplier codes of conduct, procurement policies, contractual obligations on suppliers, and worker voice mechanisms. Fifth, key performance indicators: metrics for measuring the effectiveness of the organisation's anti-slavery measures, including supplier audits, hotline reports, and training completion rates. Sixth, training: details of training provided to staff on identifying and reporting modern slavery. Seventh, a commitment to continuous improvement and review of the statement annually. The statement should be approved by the board of directors or equivalent senior leadership and published on the company's website.
The EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) (Directive 2024/1760/EU), adopted in May 2024, introduces mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence obligations for large EU companies and non-EU companies with significant EU turnover. Irish companies that meet the relevant thresholds (initially companies with more than 1,000 employees and €450 million in net worldwide turnover, reducing over time to smaller companies) will be required to identify, prevent, mitigate, and account for adverse human rights impacts (including forced labour, child labour, and unsafe working conditions) across their own operations and their supply chains. Companies must adopt and publish a due diligence policy, implement a due diligence process, take remedial actions when adverse impacts are identified, and provide a complaints mechanism for affected persons. Ireland is required to transpose the CSDDD into national law, and the Irish government has indicated that it will do so in line with the EU implementation timeline. Irish companies should begin preparing their supply chain due diligence processes now, particularly those in higher-risk sectors, to maintain compliance with both CSDDD and the CSRD reporting requirements that are already in force for larger companies.
A Modern Slavery Statement (Ireland) does not legally require a lawyer in Ireland, and individuals and businesses may draft and execute the document independently. The Companies Act 2014 does not mandate legal representation for the creation or signing of this type of document. However, seeking independent legal advice from a qualified Ireland lawyer is recommended for transactions involving substantial financial value, complex regulatory requirements, or cross-border elements where multiple legal jurisdictions may apply. A lawyer can verify that the document complies with all applicable statutory requirements, identify potential risks specific to the transaction, and confirm that the terms adequately protect the interests of all parties involved. The High Court of Ireland has jurisdiction over disputes arising from this type of document, and Companies Registration Office (CRO) may impose additional compliance obligations depending on the nature of the underlying transaction. Professional legal review is particularly advisable where the document will be submitted to government agencies or used as evidence in legal proceedings.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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