Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 5 sources
French maker of disposable pens, stationery, lighters and shavers.
There's no proof BIC pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage, and it has no full independent audit.
Know something we've missed? Send evidence. Represent BIC? Send a right of reply.
Compare BIC with another brand
Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 3 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 2 red flags: no evidence of a living wage and unaudited production in high-risk countries. Two or more red flags means a poor grade.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 3 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsSome of its products are made in countries such as China and India, where unions are heavily restricted, and it has no full supply chain audit.
- Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that listMakes its products in its own factories
- Met: High-risk raw materials (such as timber and cotton) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNone recorded in a major share of its range
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Made partly in countries with poor worker rights, without a full independent audit of its supply chain
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
From BIC's own disclosure: it makes its products in its own factories. Its list covers only part of its range. The rest is shown as where homewares and appliances are usually made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| India | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| France | Regular violations | About a living wage | Low |
| Mexico | Regular violations | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Brazil | Systematic violations | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Kenya | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Nigeria | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| South Africa | Regular violations | Below a living wage | Low |
| Tunisia | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Low |
| Greece | Systematic violations | Not rated | Moderate |
| Spain | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| United States | Systematic violations | Below a living wage | Low |
| VietnamUsual for the industry | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| PolandUsual for the industry | Regular violations | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| IndonesiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| MalaysiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
Evidence
What we found
- No high-risk raw materials (such as timber and cotton) are recorded in a major share of its range, so the raw-material check doesn't hold it back for Good.
- Owns or runs its own production
- Modern slavery statement
Research notes Over 95% of BIC products sold in 2025 were made in its own factories. Its 2025 annual report lists 20 plants; stationery is made at plants in France (3), India (2), Mexico (2), Brazil, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Tunisia, and BIC sold its Cello business in India in October 2025. Lighters and shavers come from plants in Brazil, China, France, Greece, Mexico, Spain and the US. Contract makers get third-party social audits every two years and its Spanish site holds SA8000, but BIC publishes no audit results or living wage commitment.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Listed | BIC UK's statement (2023) says 92% of sales come from BIC's own factories and contract manufacturers get third-party social audits every two years; no cases reported. View |
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Baptist World Aid's reports do not assess stationery makers. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 5
Show all 5 sources
- BIC Cristal pens - Officeworks · search the archive · BIC pens sold by Officeworks stores in Australia
Published by BIC or its owner
- BIC 2025 Universal Registration Document · search the archive · 20 factories with activities by site; over 95% of products sold made in own factories; 11,046 staff end 2025; Cello India sold Oct 2025
- BIC Factsheet 2025 · search the archive · 18 manufacturing sites; about 95% of products sold made in BIC factories; 11,000+ staff
- BIC UK Modern Slavery Act Statement (FY2023) · search the archive · Third-party WCA social audits of contract manufacturers every two years; 92% of sales from own factories
- BIC Social Performance Report (SA8000), 2025 · search the archive · One BIC site SA8000 certified since 2010; 5 minor non-conformities in 2025 external audit
Company details
- Headquarters
- France
- Employees
- About 11,046
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is BIC ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/bic, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent BIC.