Dartington Crystal
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 8 sources
Devon glassmaker selling wine glasses, tumblers and vases.
Dartington Crystal publishes no certification, independent audit or supplier list.
Better-graded cookware and tableware
Graded higher than Dartington Crystal, selling the same kinds of things.
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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 rightsJudged on where its products are made: worker rights are poorly protected in China, Vietnam and India.
- 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 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: Hidden supply chain: no certification, independent audits or supplier list
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
Dartington Crystal names some of the countries it makes in: the United Kingdom. The rest is shown as where homewares and appliances are usually made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Regular violations | Close to a living wage | Low |
| ChinaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| VietnamUsual for the industry | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| IndiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| 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.
Research notes Dartington's handmade crystal is made at its own factory in Great Torrington, Devon. Some ranges, mainly machine-made glassware, come from unnamed European suppliers, and one UK retailer lists a wine glass set as made in the Czech Republic; the company gives no countries or shares, so only the UK is shown. Its sustainability statement says suppliers complete compliance declarations against its code of conduct and are checked by site visits, but it publishes no supplier list, audit results, modern slavery statement or wage policy. No labour abuses have been reported.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Unclear | No modern slavery statement for Dartington Crystal (Torrington) Ltd was found on the UK register; the company may be below the reporting threshold. View |
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Baptist World Aid's Ethical Fashion and Electronics reports do not assess homewares brands like Dartington Crystal. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 8
Show all 8 sources
- Dartington Crystal (Torrington) Limited - Companies House · search the archive · Company active; confirmation statement April 2026
- Great Torrington Town Council: Dartington Crystal · search the archive · Kilns fell from twenty to three by the late 1990s, with much stock imported under the Dartington name; management buy-out in 1994
- Dartington Crystal (Torrington) Ltd - BIRA · search the archive · Fine lead crystal hand made at Torrington; other glass crafted by chosen European suppliers
- Dartington Simplicity Red Wine Glass, Set of 4 - John Lewis · search the archive · Country of origin listed as Czech Republic
- Dartington - Essential Utensil · search the archive · Australian online retailer selling Dartington with Australia-wide shipping
Published by Dartington Crystal or its owner
- Dartington Crystal - official site · search the archive · Made in Britain badge; describes its factory as the only remaining large-scale glass factory in the UK
- Dartington Crystal: sustainability statement · search the archive · British-made at Torrington; suppliers complete compliance declarations against its code of conduct, checked by site visits
- Dartington Crystal: About us · search the archive · Around 13,800 pieces a month are mouth-blown and hand-crafted at the Torrington factory
Company details
- Headquarters
- United Kingdom
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Dartington Crystal ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/dartington-crystal, 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 Dartington Crystal.