HRH ARFAQ
MODERN SLAVERY STATEMENT 2026
2026 FINANCIAL YEAR
INTRODUCTION
At HRH Arfaq Ltd., respect for human dignity is not just a value, it is a principle woven into the very fabric of our House. Whether in our ateliers, our sourcing partnerships, or among the craftspeople who bring our vision to life, we believe every individual deserves to be treated with fairness, respect, and the opportunity to flourish.
This belief is foundational to our wider commitment to responsible luxury, which unites our social and environmental priorities in pursuit of enduring impact. From ethical procurement and traceable material sourcing to working closely with partners to strengthen responsible labour practices, we are dedicated to protecting and upholding human rights at every level of our value chain.
In our annual Modern Slavery Act Statement, we outline the measures we have taken to prevent and reduce the risk of modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and child labour within our operations and supply chain. This report reflects our ongoing efforts and progress throughout the 2026 financial year to ensure that these unacceptable practices have no place within our business.
BUSINESS AND VALUE CHAIN
HRH Arfaq Ltd. is a British private company headquartered in London, dedicated to the creation, development, and distribution of ultra-luxury goods that fuse time-honoured craftsmanship with visionary innovation. Our collections span haute couture, leather goods, perfumery, and limited-edition objet d’art, each conceived with an unwavering commitment to excellence, rarity, and cultural significance.
At the heart of our philosophy lies the belief that luxury must serve not only as a testament to beauty and skill, but also as a force for good. We proudly collaborate with a curated network of specialist ateliers, craftspeople, and suppliers across Europe, particularly in France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. These long-standing partnerships reflect our shared values of integrity, transparency, and respect for heritage.
While our operations remain intentionally bespoke and exclusive, our value chain is global and highly specialised. It includes the sourcing of rare and responsibly obtained raw materials—from precious leathers to natural essences, gemstones, and metals, as well as the manufacturing of entirely hand-finished goods. Many of our direct suppliers are small, family-owned businesses or heritage houses who preserve generational savoir-faire across embroidery, leatherwork, fragrance formulation and fine metalwork.
In addition to our core creative activities, we work with a broader network of indirect suppliers for services such as communications, retail, technology and bespoke packaging. While fewer in number than traditional luxury companies, every partnership we enter into is held to the same high standard of ethics and accountability.
We remain deeply committed to ensuring that every tier of our value chain upholds not only the artistry of luxury but the dignity of those who help bring it to life.
GOVERNANCE POLICIES & SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES
Sustainability and ethical practice are central to HRH Arfaq Ltd.’s founding philosophy and operational principles. In a House where legacy is measured not only in creation, but in conscience, we view ethical governance and social responsibility as core drivers of performance and purpose. Our commitment to human dignity, responsible innovation, and cultural stewardship underpins every decision we make from material sourcing to artisan partnerships and technological development.
Oversight of our sustainability and ethical business commitments is embedded at the highest levels of leadership. Key decisions and strategic reviews are tabled regularly with our Executive and Advisory teams, where human rights, environmental responsibility, and labour governance are discussed alongside creative direction, financial health, and brand growth. Our board of directors maintains visibility over all social impact initiatives and supply chain compliance reporting, ensuring that our values are reflected throughout every tier of the business.
To maintain accountability and risk mitigation, our Legal, Ethical Compliance and Operations teams conduct annual internal reviews across all areas of the business and regional partners. These assessments are informed by direct supplier engagement, artisan audits, and evolving global compliance standards. In 2025, we expanded our due diligence efforts with key European ateliers and introduced a central audit mechanism for any future technology-enabled partners in emerging markets.
At the regional level, we are in the process of developing a cross-disciplinary ethical council to work with supply chain partners across the UK, France, and Italy. This council will play a proactive role in identifying potential risks, aligning local standards with international benchmarks, and addressing any issues relating to labour practices, transparency, and subcontracting integrity.
KEY POLICIES
Our approach to responsible business is governed by two primary frameworks:
1. Our Code of Ethics
Our internal Code of Ethics outlines the fundamental principles by which all employees, collaborators, and strategic partners are expected to operate. Grounded in the values of respect, inclusivity, integrity, and artistic honour, this code sets expectations across all domains of the business, from workplace culture to labour compliance, privacy, health and safety and anti-discrimination. In 2026, we will expand this initiative with additional training programmes and multilingual policy rollouts to support our global growth.
2. Responsible Procurement Policy
This policy defines the standards we expect from all suppliers and business partners. It is built upon international best practices including the ILO’s fundamental conventions, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains. Our policy mandates compliance with all labour and employment-related laws and strictly prohibits forced labour, child labour, and any form of exploitation.
To support these commitments, HRH Arfaq Ltd. will begin implementing a supplier assessment and engagement toolkit in 2026, tailored for both heritage ateliers and high-tech innovation partners. This initiative ensures that the beauty we create is not only felt but founded on dignity.
DUE DILIGENCE PRACTICES AND PROGRAMMES
At HRH Arfaq, due diligence is not a tick-box exercise, it is a foundational practice underpinning our pursuit of ethical excellence. As a house rooted in craftsmanship, rarity, and integrity, our approach to social and environmental due diligence is designed to mitigate, monitor, and address human rights risks across our operations and value chain.
Our ongoing refinement of due diligence practices is shaped by leading international frameworks, including the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct, and the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) fundamental conventions. We are also closely attuned to evolving legal and regulatory landscapes across the jurisdictions in which we operate.
Internal Compliance
All new direct and indirect suppliers are screened by our Legal, Finance and Ethics teams through a rigorous compliance framework. This includes assessment of financial standing, legal history, political exposure, reputational risk, and any indicators of human rights violations, including but not limited to forced labour, child labour, or modern slavery.
Where concerns are flagged, further investigation is undertaken, sometimes with the assistance of third-party risk specialists. Engagement is contingent on the ability to remedy or resolve any issues transparently and promptly. Where confidence in ethical alignment cannot be achieved, the supplier relationship does not proceed.
Our standard supplier agreements now include reinforced contractual clauses covering labour standards, safe working conditions, wage transparency, freedom of association, anti-discrimination and environmental stewardship.
Responsible Procurement and Traceability
Traceability lies at the heart of our luxury promise. We believe that to ensure the authenticity and ethical sourcing of the finest materials from rare leathers to artisanal metals, we must maintain a clear line of sight from origin to atelier.
In 2026, we expanded our supplier mapping initiatives using bespoke digital tools tailored to luxury production. Our goal is not only traceability but accountability, ensuring the artisans and producers behind each element of our collections are treated fairly and respectfully.
We continue to encourage and support our suppliers in achieving independent certifications aligned with fair trade, organic, and safe workplace practices, such as Fair For Life, GOTS, SA8000, and ISO45001.
Within our fashion and accessories divisions, we are collaborating with innovation partners to explore blockchain solutions for documenting high-value material flows across supply tiers. This strengthens both traceability and consumer trust.
Supply Chain Risk Assessments
To remain vigilant in an evolving global landscape, we apply an integrated risk management framework across our sourcing ecosystem. In 2026, we initiated updated risk reviews covering key geographies in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. This includes macro-level assessments of country-specific risks, as well as micro-level assessments informed by material type, production method and local labour practices.
We also perform social materiality assessments across high-risk sectors, informed by data and interviews with workers, suppliers and civil society partners. In 2026, these assessments informed the development of tailored training and action plans for both internal teams and select suppliers in our leather goods and packaging verticals.
Our precious materials category, including gemstones and metals, adheres to responsible sourcing principles in line with OECD five-step due diligence guidance for conflict-affected and high-risk areas. We comply with the Kimberley Process and the World Diamond Council’s System of Warranties. HRH Arfaq is committed to expanding these frameworks to cover rare natural fibres and emerging raw material sources.
Human Rights Impact and Supplier Engagement
We engage directly with selected suppliers through Human Rights Impact Assessments (HRIAs) conducted by independent auditors. These allow us to understand not only risks, but also root causes, and develop culturally relevant remediation strategies.
In 2026, we completed two new HRIAs within our rare materials sourcing programmes. Findings informed supplier development workshops, covering ethical recruitment, wage structures, and the safe handling of natural dyes and finishes.
We also continue to utilise platforms such as EcoVadis and SEDEX to benchmark supplier performance on sustainability and ethical conduct. These tools help us track progress, identify gaps, and implement corrective actions where needed.
Supplier Audits and Corrective Action
We maintain a Responsible Supplier Programme (RSP) led by our Ethics and Procurement teams, designed to monitor and improve supplier alignment with our ethical standards. In 2025, audits were conducted across six countries, covering four pillars:
Environmental Practices – including waste and pollution management.
Social Impact – including working hours, fair wages, and freedom from forced or child labour.
Health & Safety – including fire safety, emergency procedures, and occupational risk prevention.
Governance & Ethics – including anti-corruption, trade compliance, and data protection.
All audits included facility walkthroughs, confidential worker interviews, document reviews, and management interviews. Results were reviewed internally, and corrective action plans were agreed upon and tracked.
Grievance Mechanisms
A culture of transparency underpins our entire business. HRH Arfaq operates an anonymous grievance mechanism accessible to all employees and suppliers globally. All reports are reviewed under our Investigation Protocol, and outcomes are reported at board level through our Ethics and Risk Committees.
ADVANCING SOCIAL IMPACT
At HRH Arfaq, our responsibility goes far beyond compliance. As a House that champions individuality, artistry, and human dignity, we are committed to contributing positively to the lives of those who craft, source, and support our work. Our approach to social impact is rooted in partnership, long-term engagement, and a deep understanding of local realities.
Alongside our due diligence, risk management and supplier assessment frameworks, we work collaboratively with civil society organisations, local institutions, and specialist consultancies to co-design social impact initiatives tailored to the people and places that define our value chain. These programmes are not short-term interventions—they are part of a sustained vision to drive systemic change in sectors that historically face vulnerability.
Strengthening Worker Rights in Manufacturing
In 2025, we continued our partnership with ethical advisory firms to embed tailored remediation and capacity-building programmes in key manufacturing regions. A flagship initiative focused on a cohort of packaging and accessory suppliers in Southeast Asia, targeting four critical areas: fair remuneration, worker recruitment and onboarding, occupational health and safety, and strengthening internal social dialogue systems. Follow-up audits are scheduled for early 2027 to track ongoing progress and worker sentiment.
Gender Equity and Fair Pay
We remain committed to advancing gender-responsive practices in all facets of our supply chain.
Community Investment and Education
We believe education is a powerful tool in breaking cycles of exploitation and creating long-term economic stability. Our programmes included on-the-ground interviews with workers and their families, informing the design of safer labour practices and expanding awareness of labour rights among migrant communities in the region.
Sustainable Agriculture and Regenerative Practices
At HRH Arfaq, we recognise the interdependence of social and environmental wellbeing. The initiatives ensure secure contracts, stable income, and equitable treatment for all seasonal and permanent farm workers.
Throughout 2025, our Fashion division led bespoke programmes within its atelier network and raw material supply base, addressing not just environmental performance but the human stories embedded in each item. Across all initiatives, our goal remains constant: to elevate the dignity, security, and voices of the people who power our craft.
TRAINING AND COLLECTIVE ACTION
Building Capacity Through Training
At HRH Arfaq, we understand that awareness is the first defence against exploitation. Embedding respect for human rights within our operations and value chain requires more than written policy it demands education, lived understanding, and ongoing engagement.
In 2025, we expanded our internal training initiatives, delivering modern slavery awareness sessions to our global procurement, design, logistics, and executive teams. These trainings were adapted to role-specific risks and included case studies, supplier scenarios, and real-world insights into the complexities of hidden labour exploitation. Senior leaders across the House also took part in immersive workshops addressing global labour vulnerabilities, with a focus on risk hotspots relevant to luxury supply chains, including embroidery, leatherwork, and rare material harvesting.
Collective Action and Industry Collaboration
We recognise that no single brand can eliminate modern slavery alone. Through strategic partnerships and open dialogue, we aim to support broader industry progress and contribute to systemic change.
In 2025, HRH Arfaq continued its engagement with several key industry alliances and expert-led initiatives:
Our team participated in cross-brand working groups focused on gender equity in gemstone supply and traceability protocols for artisanal mining sectors.
Fair Wage Network: We maintained our commitment to the Fair Wage framework, providing our suppliers with access to tools and data to assess wage equity, working hours, and cost-of-living benchmarks.
Craft Futures Collective: In line with our dedication to the preservation of rare craftsmanship, HRH Arfaq joined a new consortium of heritage brands and craft schools working to ensure that traditional artisanship does not come at the cost of labour exploitation. This partnership aims to develop certification pathways, training bursaries, and ethical frameworks specific to micro-suppliers of highly specialised skills.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
As we move forward, HRH Arfaq remains resolute in our ambition to lead by quiet example—upholding the highest standards not only in luxury, but in responsibility.
In 2027 and beyond, we will deepen the integration of social and environmental due diligence across every layer of our operations and partnerships. Building on the insights gained from our 2026 risk assessments, supplier audits and human rights initiatives, we will refine our methodologies and sharpen our focus on areas where the risk of exploitation is most acute.
Our roadmap includes:
Strengthening supplier onboarding protocols with expanded compliance checkpoints and ESG performance reviews.
Scaling our human rights training across additional supplier tiers, particularly in emerging markets and specialised craft networks.
Developing new digital tools to enhance transparency, monitor working conditions in real time, and accelerate corrective action cycles.
Expanding grievance channels to empower all individuals connected to our value chain—employees, artisans, and workers alike, to speak freely and safely.
Continuing cross-sector collaborations, using our voice and position to influence broader industry transformation.
At HRH Arfaq, true luxury is measured not only by refinement, but by responsibility. We understand that beauty and excellence must never come at the cost of human dignity and as custodians of both, we are committed to building a future where craftsmanship and conscience go hand in hand.