Black Diamond
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 5 sources
US maker of climbing gear, headlamps, trekking poles and outdoor apparel.
Black Diamond can't show that the workers who make its products in Vietnam and the Philippines earn a living wage, which workers there are very unlikely to.
Also worth knowing
It has no full independent audit.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 2 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 2 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rights50% of its products are made in countries such as China and the Philippines, 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
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Met: High-risk raw materials (such as cotton and leather) 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
Black Diamond names some of the countries it makes in: China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, the United States, Indonesia, Italy, Pakistan, Cambodia, Spain, Austria and Czechia. The rest is shown as where clothes and shoes are usually made.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 28% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Taiwan | 25% | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| Vietnam | 15% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Philippines | 12% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| United States | 6% | Systematic violations | Below a living wage | Low |
| Indonesia | 3% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Cambodia | 2% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| Pakistan | 2% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | High |
| Italy | 1% | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| BangladeshUsual for the industry | 1% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| Spain | 1% | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| Austria | 1% | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
| Czechia | 1% | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| IndiaUsual for the industry | 1% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| TürkiyeUsual for the industry | 1% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Very high |
Evidence
What we found
- No high-risk raw materials (such as cotton and leather) are recorded in a major share of its range, so the raw-material check doesn't hold it back for Good.
- Modern slavery statement
- Uses little or no cotton (e.g. wool, linen or leather products)
Research notes Black Diamond no longer runs its own factories: its products are made by independent suppliers, mostly in China, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines, with about 6% in the US. Its 2024 forced and child labour statement gives production shares by country and says it uses internal and third-party audits, some unannounced, and works with Issara Institute, but it does not publish a supplier list or a living wage commitment. No confirmed labour abuses at its suppliers have been reported.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not listed | Black Diamond and Clarus Corporation are not rated in the 2024 Ethical Fashion Report. (2024 edition; latest is 2026) View |
Sources and actions
Sources 5
Show all 5 sources
- Clarus Corp Form 10-K FY2025 · search the archive · All products made in third-party, independently owned facilities; climbing, ski and mountain equipment plus synthetic shells, insulation and midlayers
- Black Diamond Equipment FY2024 forced and child labour statement · search the archive · Production: CN 25.9%, TW 25.4%, VN 14.5%, PH 12.2%, US 6.1% and 11 others; internal and third-party audits; Issara Institute; no child labour found
- Black Diamond cuts jobs (Climbing Business Journal) · search the archive · 2019: Salt Lake City manufacturing cut as carabiners, crampons and other hardware moved overseas
- Paddy Pallin · search the archive · Australian outdoor retailer with stores lists Black Diamond among its brands
Published by Black Diamond or its owner
- Black Diamond Australia - Sustainability · search the archive · Australian site with store and dealer locator; 2030 goals on preferred materials and B Corp; no supply chain labour disclosure
Company details
- Headquarters
- United States
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Black Diamond ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/black-diamond, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
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Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Black Diamond.