Modern Slavery and Ethical Sourcing Statement
Statement date: 23 October 2026
1. Introduction
This statement sets out the steps VB GLOBAL BRANDS LTD (trading as VB Distribution, company no. 13540609) takes to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in its business and supply chains.
We are not currently required to publish a statement under section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, because our turnover is below the £36 million threshold. We publish this statement voluntarily, as we believe our customers, suppliers and partners should know how we work.
2. Our business
VB Distribution is a UK importer and trade distributor of vaping products, and the official UK master distributor for Hayati®. We operate an HMRC-approved bonded warehouse and supply duty-paid products to approved retail and wholesale trade customers throughout the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, through our trade platform, vb-distro.com. Isle of Man supplies are subject to prior written approval and checks of the applicable duty, stamp and product requirements. Channel Islands orders are handled only under separately agreed written export arrangements.
3. Our supply chain
Our supply chain includes: - the brand owners and authorised manufacturers who make the products we import; - freight, shipping and customs service providers; - warehousing, packaging and courier services in the UK; - technology and professional service providers.
We buy products only from brand owners or their authorised manufacturers.
4. Our policy
We do not tolerate modern slavery, forced or compulsory labour, child labour or human trafficking in our business or supply chains. We expect every supplier and partner to meet the same standard and to comply with the laws of the countries where they operate.
5. Due diligence and risk
5.1 We recognise that the manufacture of consumer electronics and vaping products abroad, together with international freight, carries a higher risk than our own UK operations.
5.2 Our approach is to: - work with established suppliers and brand owners with whom we have written agreements; - ask key suppliers to confirm in writing that they comply with modern slavery and labour laws; - include ethical sourcing requirements in new and renewed supplier agreements; - keep batch and supplier records so every product can be traced to its source; - review a supplier relationship if we become aware of a concern, and end it if the concern is not resolved.
6. Our own operations
We employ staff directly and through reputable UK agencies. We check every worker's right to work in the UK, pay at least the National Minimum or Living Wage, and follow UK employment law.
7. Raising concerns
Anyone, whether an employee, supplier, customer or member of the public, can raise a concern about modern slavery in our business or supply chains in confidence by emailing compliance@vapes-bars.com. We will look into every concern, and no one who raises a concern in good faith will be treated unfairly. Concerns can also be reported to the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline on 08000 121 700.
8. Training
We will make sure staff who deal with suppliers understand the risks of modern slavery and know how to raise a concern.
9. Next steps
Over the next 12 months we plan to: - obtain written modern slavery confirmations from our main product suppliers; - add ethical sourcing clauses to supplier agreements as they are renewed; - review this statement at least once a year.
10. Approval
This statement was approved by the directors of VB GLOBAL BRANDS LTD on 23 October 2026.
