Bodum
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 6 sources
Family-owned Danish-Swiss housewares company known for French presses.
There's no proof Bodum 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 Bodum? Send a right of reply.
Compare Bodum with another brand
Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 2 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It doesn't show that workers are paid a living wage, and isn't certified as working towards one. On Track needs at least one of these.
- 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 rightsMost of its products are made in China, 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 (timber) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeOnly in a few products: timber
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Hidden supply chain, mostly in countries with poor worker rights
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
Bodum says which countries it makes its products in, but doesn't name the factories.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| China | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
Evidence
What we found
- Uses timber in only a few products, so the raw-material check doesn't hold it back for Good. It doesn't show where its timber comes from. The "Open supply chain" star needs all of it traced, certified or upcycled.
- Makes part of its range in its own factories
Research notes Bodum makes part of its range, including drinkware and some French presses, in its own factories in Aveiro and Tondela, Portugal, and has bought the rest from contract manufacturers in China it does not name; it does not say what share is made where. It publishes no supplier list, audit results, modern slavery statement or living wage data, and holds no social certification. A few products use cork or wood parts, with no forestry certification or origin given.
Sources and actions
Sources 6
Show all 6 sources
- Bodum: Tschuess China (Bilanz, 2013) · search the archive · Family firm led by Jorgen Bodum moving a large part of production from China back to Portugal.
- Bodum raises a 'glass' to 75th (Housewares News) · search the archive · Drinkware made in Bodum's own factory in Aveiro, Portugal; older own factory in Tondela; owned by Jorgen Bodum.
- Bodum Inc. (Retail Merchandiser, 2014) · search the archive · One owned plant in Portugal; uses contract manufacturers in China while moving production to Portugal.
- Bodum Assam tea press with cork lid (John Lewis) · search the archive · Glass, plastic, cork and stainless steel; country of origin Portugal.
- Bodum Chambord coffee press 12 cup (Kitchen Warehouse) · search the archive · Chambord press listed as made in Portugal.
- Bodum Chambord coffee maker (Myer) · search the archive · Bodum sold by Myer department stores in Australia.
Company details
- Headquarters
- Switzerland
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Bodum ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/bodum, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded cookware and tableware
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Bodum.