Technical data and register questions come in from time to time and so we've placed our answers here for you. This FAQ covers TISCreport’s Open Data Infrastructure, explaining how our open data approach helps organisations access vital transparency data to combat modern slavery.
By the Open Data Institute definition, open data is data that anyone can access, use or share. Our data can be interrogated in many ways by anti-slavery agencies, member organisations wanting to understand their supply chain, or anyone else. We are classified as "open data via public search or via dashboard".
For those wishing to interrogate the data at a deeper level across multiple data sources, a paid-for membership is available, enabling users to achieve much more via live dashboard.
We are ODI-certified to Silver level and are close to Gold certification. You can read more on the ODI site about why open data is a good idea, but our reason for choosing open data as a way to run our register is because Modern Slavery is a global issue, and the data that can help to end it currently exists in silos. By making it easier for organisations to access the data they need to make more informed decisions, we can achieve our end goal far more quickly: to drive slavery out of our supply chains.
Yes. Our members can choose to either share their supply chain data publicly or keep it confidential. This data belongs to them and not us, and so we only share what is acquired under an open data licence or publicly available. We also have company turnover data from various sources that are subject to similar restrictions. We use it to determine if compliance is mandatory or not, but we do not release this as open data. However, members are still able to assess the supply chain risk data we have access to without making their own data public. Creating a safe space for companies to collaborate is already giving rise to some incredibly positive outcomes on the ground.
Yes, we have a list of companies who, by turnover, location and SIC code, need to comply with Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act but haven't. This list is not complete but growing daily, and we publish this data live on TISCreport.org. We have made contact with everyone on our list directly where websites, email addresses and telephone numbers are available. Where contact details are not available we have asked their auditors (listed in their end of year accounts).
A holding company deals specificially with assets, investments and management rather than providing goods and services. So you would think that they were exempt from complying. However changes were made on January 31st 2015 to the rules for company and business names. The use of the word ‘holding’ (or ‘holdings’) is no longer considered ‘sensitive’. This means you can now include this word in your company name without seeking permission from Companies House. As such, unless a company declares that it is not trading in an exemption statement, we have to assume that it might be subject to section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act. If you run a holding company over £36M turnover that does not provide goods and services you can file your exemption statement here on TISCreport.
Our data comes from multiple sources. If you're a company, your data will come from the open data held on Companies House and/or OpenCorporates.com.
Your compliance data will come from one of the following:
1) One of your buyers
2) From a member of the public
3) From one of your employees, submitting your statement anonymously
4) From one our trackerbots monitoring your site for compliance
In all of these cases, you can register to claim your account for free and verify that the statement submitted is the correct version for that year. We will report this back to your buyers and our partnering government departments, and also your suppliers who may well be tracking your compliance via TISCreport.
Yes. Uploading your suppliers to the supplier dashboard will enable you to use TISCreport without exposing it to the public. Your supplier data remains completely private and within your control. There is functionality within to share some or all of your suppliers publicly and this is entirely within your control from within the supplier dashboard.
Open data can encompass a wide range of data types, including demographic data, economic data, scientific data, geographic data, and government data. Some examples of open data include: Census dataEducational dataEnvironmental dataHealth dataTransportation dataFinancial dataHow is open data made available?Open data is typically made available through open data portals or websites that allow users to access, download, and use the data. Many open data portals also provide tools and resources for users to visualize, analyze, and manipulate the data.
There are many ways to use open data, depending on your goals and needs. Some common uses of open data include: Research and analysis: Open data can be used to support research projects, policy analysis, and other forms of data-driven investigation. Business development: Open data can be used by businesses to identify trends, develop new products and services, and improve operations. Civic engagement: Open data can be used by individuals and organizations to advocate for social change, hold governments and institutions accountable, and promote transparency. Here, at TISCreport, we use open data to create infrastructure that enables us to connect to and monitor data silos that are proprietary and/or private (with the owners' consent) in order to increase the overall transparency of corporate data available. This in turn creates more accountability and social impact.
An LEI, or Legal Entity Identifier, is a unique code assigned to legal entities that participate in financial transactions. It is a 20-character alphanumeric code that is used to identify a specific legal entity in financial transactions. The LEI system was established to improve the transparency and efficiency of financial markets by providing a unique and standardized way to identify legal entities. It is administered by the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) and you can find their data to download here:
https://www.gleif.org/en/lei-data/gleif-golden-copy/download-the-golden-copy#/
TISCreport uses LEIs to help identify a Legal Entity and link data we hold from the various different open data sources we use in our corporate transparency projects.
LEIs are used by a variety of different organizations and entities, including: Financial institutions: Banks, investment firms, and other financial institutions use LEIs to identify their clients and counterparties in financial transactions.Regulators: Financial regulators use LEIs to identify and monitor financial institutions and transactions for compliance with laws and regulations.Corporations: Many corporations use LEIs to identify themselves in financial transactions and to comply with regulations that require the use of LEIs.Investors: Investors use LEIs to identify the companies in which they are investing, and to monitor the activities of those companies.Data vendors: Data vendors use LEIs to provide financial data and analytics to their clients.Government agencies: Government agencies use LEIs to identify the legal entities that participate in government procurement and other financial transactions. Overall, LEIs are increasingly used by a wide range of organizations and parties as a way to identify and track financial transactions and entities involved in them.
An ISIN, or International Securities Identification Number, is a unique code assigned to securities for the purposes of identification. It is a 12-character alphanumeric code that is used to identify a specific security, such as a bond or a stock, in financial transactions. The ISIN is similar to a barcode for securities and is used to identify securities in the same way that LEIs are used to identify legal entities. ISINs are assigned by the National Numbering Agencies (NNAs) which are authorized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to assign ISINs to securities. ISINs are used in a wide range of financial transactions, such as trading, clearing, and settlement, and are used by a variety of different organizations, including banks, investment firms, and stock exchanges.ISINs are used to uniquely identify securities and to facilitate the efficient and accurate settlement of securities transactions. They can also be used in financial analysis and reporting, providing information on price, volume, and other characteristics of securities.
TISCreport is a transparency-in-supply-chains platform that also serves as an independent open legal register, based on aggregating publicly available data.
An open legal register refers to a legal register that is publicly accessible and available for anyone to view. It is a transparent and inclusive approach to sharing information about legal requirements and obligations. Open legal registers are often implemented by governments, regulatory bodies, or organisations with a commitment to transparency and public engagement.
The key characteristic of an open legal register is that it allows individuals, businesses, and other stakeholders to easily access and review the legal requirements that apply to a particular jurisdiction, industry, or organisation. By making the legal register openly available, it promotes accountability, understanding, and compliance with the law.
Open legal registers can take various forms, depending on the context. Here are a few examples:
Government Legal Registers: Some governments maintain open legal registers that provide access to legislation, regulations, and legal requirements applicable within their jurisdiction. These registers may be web-based platforms where users can search and access relevant laws and regulations. Regulatory Body Registers: Regulatory bodies in specific sectors or industries may establish open legal registers to provide transparency and guidance to stakeholders. For instance, environmental agencies might maintain registers that detail environmental regulations, permits, and compliance requirements. Industry-Specific Registers: Certain industries or professional organisations may develop open legal registers to share industry-specific legal obligations. These registers can help businesses and individuals within the sector understand and comply with the applicable laws and regulations.
The objective of an open legal register is to promote transparency, accessibility, and understanding of legal requirements. By making such information readily available, it facilitates compliance efforts, reduces ambiguity, and fosters a culture of legal awareness.
A legal register, also known as a compliance register, is a document or system used by organisations to maintain a record of legal requirements that apply to their operations. It is typically used to ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and other legal obligations. The legal register serves as a centralised repository of information that helps organisations identify, track, and manage their legal obligations. The specific contents of a legal register can vary depending on the nature of the organisation and the industry it operates in. However, here are some examples of common elements that may be included: Laws and regulations: This section would outline the specific statutes, regulations, and legal requirements that are applicable to the organisation. For instance, it could include labour laws, environmental regulations, health and safety standards, data protection laws, and industry-specific regulations. Permitting and licensing requirements: This section would cover the permits, licences, certifications, or authorisations that the organisation needs to obtain to operate legally. Examples might include business licences, environmental permits, occupational permits, or professional certifications. Reporting and disclosure obligations: This section would outline the legal requirements related to reporting and disclosing information. For example, it could include obligations to file financial reports, disclose data breaches, or provide information to regulatory bodies. Compliance deadlines: This section would include important dates or deadlines associated with the organisation's legal obligations. It ensures that the organisation is aware of when specific actions or filings need to be completed. Monitoring and enforcement: This section may outline the regulatory bodies responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with the relevant laws and regulations. It could include information about inspections, audits, or investigations that the organisation may be subject to. The legal register is a dynamic document that requires regular updates to reflect changes in laws, regulations, or the organisation's activities. It helps organisations stay informed about their legal obligations and enables them to demonstrate compliance to regulatory authorities when necessary. Please note that the specific requirements for a legal register can vary depending on jurisdiction and industry. It is always advisable to consult legal professionals or compliance experts to ensure that the legal register is tailored to the organisation's specific needs and requirements.
