Fatboy
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 6 sources
Dutch brand known for its Original bean bag and outdoor furniture.
We couldn't confirm where it makes the rest, and most homewares and appliances are made in countries such as China and Vietnam, where the legal minimum is below a living wage.
Better-graded furniture
Graded higher than Fatboy, selling the same kinds of things.
None of the furniture brands we know to make furniture is Good yet. These are the strongest so far. Le Klint is Good, but we don't know that it makes furniture.
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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 rightsMost of its products are made in countries such as China and India, 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 (cotton) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeOnly in a few products: cotton
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
Fatboy names some of the countries it makes in: the Netherlands. The rest is shown as where homewares and appliances are usually made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChinaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Netherlands | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
| 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
- Uses cotton in only a few products, so the raw-material check doesn't hold it back for Good. It doesn't show where its cotton comes from. The "Open supply chain" star needs all of it traced, certified or upcycled.
Research notes Fatboy does not name its factories or production countries; it says products are made by large SGS-certified companies and smaller independent makers, and that staff visit sites to check quality. Original bean bags are filled at its Den Bosch headquarters, and two recycled-material products are made in the Netherlands. No supplier code, social audit results or living wage commitment are published. Most covers are nylon, olefin or recycled polyester rather than cotton or leather.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Furniture and homewares makers are not assessed in Baptist World Aid's Ethical Fashion Report (latest edition 2026). View |
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Not covered | Fatboy is not an Australian entity and has no statement on the Australian Modern Slavery Register; it is likely below the reporting threshold. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 6
Show all 6 sources
- Vendis Capital has sold Fatboy to Calligaris Group (Lincoln International) · search the archive · 2021 sale of Den Bosch-based Fatboy to Calligaris Group, an Alpha Private Equity portfolio company
- Original Outdoor bean bag (Finnish Design Shop, Australia) · search the archive · Fatboy bean bags sold in AUD with shipping to Australia; olefin cover
Published by Fatboy or its owner
- Fatboy corporate responsibility · search the archive · Products made by large SGS-certified companies and smaller independent manufacturers; staff visit production sites
- Fatboy towards a circular future · search the archive · Attackle Sofa and Concrete Seat produced in the Netherlands from recycled materials
- Fatboy Original Canvas Recycled · search the archive · Cover is 100% recycled polyester; each Original is filled at headquarters in Den Bosch
- Original Stonewashed (Fatboy) · search the archive · The Original Stonewashed bean bag has a 100% cotton cover, one of several Original covers (read 18 Oct 2026)
Company details
- Headquarters
- Netherlands
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Fatboy ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/fatboy, 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 Fatboy.