The move follows findings of The Global Slavery Index this week which suggested that there are approximately 12,000 people in the United Kingdom trapped in modern slavery.

Most are enslaved sex workers, although a government review last year found that labour exploitation amounting to modern slavery has been found in factories, agriculture, construction, recycling, tarmac and paving, car washes, nail bars, restaurants and bars, domestic work.

BRE said the “shocking” report doesn’t reflect the complex supply chains of most sectors, none more so than the construction sector, and puts the onus on everyone to take positive action against the evils of modern slavery which the Index reports now affects 45.8 million people worldwide.

Within this context, BRE is developing a new Ethical Labour Standard which is designed to provide organisations with a framework to verify their systems and processes in relation to the Modern Slavery Act and continuously improve their ethical labour sourcing practices.

More than 120 organisations have helped BRE produce the document and trial its use.

“These are organisations with complex international supply chains so the ability they have to affect real change on a global scale is significant. This support is a testament to the willingness of our industry to do the right thing,” BRE said.

The standard will be launched in July 2016 in London.