DC Shoes
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 2 November 2026 · 6 sources
US skate shoe and streetwear brand.
DC Shoes' parent, Authentic Brands Group, scored 3/100 in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report, and we couldn't confirm where it makes most of its skate shoes and streetwear.
Also worth knowing
Most clothes and shoes are made in countries such as China and Bangladesh, where pay is usually below a living wage and unions are heavily restricted.
Better-graded footwear
Graded higher than DC Shoes, selling the same kinds of things. Second-hand first.
Second-hand and refurbished goods create no new factory work, so they're Good by rule and come first.
Know something we've missed? Send evidence. Represent DC Shoes? Send a right of reply.
Compare DC Shoes with another brand
Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 3 red flags: no evidence of a living wage, unaudited production, probably in high-risk countries and a failing or very low rating (Ethical Fashion Report 3/100 in 2026, for the company it's rated with). 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 1 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsWhere clothes and shoes are usually made, such as China and Bangladesh, 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
- Not met: High-risk raw materials (cotton) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNot traced or certified: cotton
Red flags 3
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Probably made mostly in countries with poor worker rights, without a full independent audit of its supply chain
- Red flag: Failing or very low score on an independent rating: Ethical Fashion Report 3/100 (2026, the company it's rated with)
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
We couldn't confirm where DC Shoes makes most of its products, so this shows where clothes and shoes are usually made.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 30% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Bangladesh | 20% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| Vietnam | 15% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| India | 10% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| Cambodia | 8% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| Türkiye | 7% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Very high |
| Indonesia | 5% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Pakistan | 5% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | High |
Evidence
What we found
- Modern slavery statement
- Doesn't show where its cotton comes from. Cotton is linked to forced labour in Xinjiang and Turkmenistan, and child labour in several growing regions, so it can't be graded Good until it traces or certifies it.
Research notes DC Shoes has been owned by Authentic Brands Group since its 2023 takeover of Boardriders. Its footwear is made under licence by US company BBC International (since late 2023), and since 2025 DC is run in Australia and New Zealand by BR South Pacific, part of Caprice Australia. No factory list or country breakdown is published for DC footwear or clothing; Caprice says most of its factories are in China, with others in India, Pakistan, Vietnam and Bangladesh. Boardriders scored 3/100 in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report, among the lowest, and the group has no living wage commitment.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Problem found | Boardriders Inc, which owned DC Shoes before Authentic Brands took it over and is still listed with DC, scored 3 out of 100 in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report (average 31.5), after 5 in 2024. View |
| Fashion Transparency Index (Fashion Revolution) | Listed | Boardriders Inc scored 6% in the 2023 Fashion Transparency Index, showing very little public supply chain information. View |
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Listed | Caprice Australia, whose BR South Pacific division licenses DC in Australia since 2025, reports 454 audited factories, mostly in China; its FY2025 statement does not name DC. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 6
Show all 6 sources
- Billabong / Boardriders - Shop Ethical (ethical.org.au) · search the archive · Boardriders Inc (owned by Authentic Brands): Ethical Fashion Report 2026 3/100 (average 31.5); FTI 2023 6%
- Boardriders Inc - Shop Ethical (ethical.org.au) · search the archive · Boardriders Inc, 100% owned by Authentic Brands Group, lists DC among its brands (skate shoes, surfwear); FTI 2023 6%
- Authentic to boost action and outdoor sports brands in ANZ with BRSP (FashionUnited) · search the archive · 2025 BRSP partnership includes DC Shoes
- Authentic Brands signs licensing deal for action portfolio in Apac markets (Inside Retail) · search the archive · BR South Pacific (Caprice) licenses DC Shoes and other Authentic action brands in Australia, NZ and South Pacific
- DC Shoes Secures New Licensee Post Authentic Brands Acquisition (Shop Eat Surf) · search the archive · BBC International named DC footwear and snow boot licensee in Dec 2023; no factory details given
Published by DC Shoes or its owner
- Caprice Australia Modern Slavery Statement FY2025 · search the archive · 454 factories audited, mostly China, plus India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Bangladesh; no living wage requirement
Company details
- Owned by
- Authentic Brands Group (footwear licensee: BBC International; AU licensee: Caprice/BR South Pacific)
- Headquarters
- United States
- Last researched
- 2 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is DC Shoes ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/dc-shoes, last researched 2 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 DC Shoes.