DeWalt
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 5 sources
US brand of professional power tools, hand tools and accessories.
We couldn't confirm where DeWalt makes most of its professional power tools and accessories.
Also worth knowing
Most homewares and appliances are made in countries such as China and Vietnam, where pay is usually below a living wage.
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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, probably 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 rightsWhere homewares and appliances are usually made, such as China and India, 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 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: Probably made mostly 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
We couldn't confirm where DeWalt makes most of its products, so this shows where homewares and appliances are usually made.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 50% | No guarantee of rights | 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 |
| Poland | 10% | Regular violations | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| Indonesia | 8% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Malaysia | 7% | 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.
- Modern slavery statement
Research notes DeWalt tools come from Stanley Black & Decker's own plants and from outside suppliers; the group has facilities in 21 countries, sources many products from China and other low-cost countries, and in 2025 began shifting production of some power tools to Mexico. No shares or factory list are published for the brand. The group audits suppliers in high-risk countries and requires fair wages in its supplier code, but it discloses no specific findings, remediation cases or living wage commitment, and in FY24 about 20% of newly audited suppliers needed follow-up.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Listed | Stanley Black & Decker's FY25 joint statement covers its Australian entities; it says audits covered over 80% of direct material spend in high-risk countries but reports no specific findings. View |
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Power tools are not assessed in Baptist World Aid's Ethical Fashion or Electronics reports; its Good Shopping Guide rates Stanley Black & Decker Australia C+ overall. View |
| Corporate Human Rights Benchmark (World Benchmarking Alliance) | Not covered | Tool makers are not among the sectors assessed in the 2026 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 5
Show all 5 sources
- Stanley Black & Decker Australia - Good Shopping Guide (ethical.org.au) · search the archive · Owns DeWalt; overall rating C+; RMI member; modern slavery statement published
- Stanley Black & Decker FY25 Modern Slavery Statement (Australian register) · search the archive · Facilities in 21 countries; audits cover over 80% of direct spend in high-risk countries; no specific findings; supplier code requires fair wages
- Stanley Black & Decker Form 10-K FY2025 · search the archive · About 43,500 staff in 59 countries; many products sourced from China and other low-cost countries; some power tool output moving to Mexico (2025)
- Hammer Drills - Bunnings Australia · search the archive · DeWalt tools sold in Bunnings stores in Australia
Published by DeWalt or its owner
- Stanley Black & Decker Australia Modern Slavery Statement FY24 · search the archive · Over 30,000 suppliers; 150+ audits; about 20% of 63 newly audited suppliers needed further investigation
Company details
- Headquarters
- United States
- Employees
- About 43,500
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is DeWalt ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/dewalt, 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 DeWalt.