Ferm Living
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 7 sources
Copenhagen design company selling furniture, lighting and ceramics.
There's no proof Ferm Living pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage, and it has no full independent audit.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 1 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 1 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
- Not met: High-risk raw materials (cotton and timber) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNot traced or certified: 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
Ferm Living names some of the countries it makes in: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Denmark, Egypt, Spain, the United Kingdom, Croatia, Indonesia, India, Italy and Lithuania. The rest is shown as where homewares and appliances are usually made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| VietnamUsual for the industry | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| India | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| Indonesia | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| PolandUsual for the industry | Regular violations | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| MalaysiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Regular violations | Not rated | High |
| Bulgaria | Regular violations | Below a living wage | High |
| Denmark | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
| Egypt | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Spain | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| United Kingdom | Regular violations | Close to a living wage | Low |
| Croatia | Strong protections | Not rated | Moderate |
| Italy | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| Lithuania | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
Evidence
What we found
- Doesn't show where its timber comes from. Timber is linked to illegal logging linked to forced labour, so it can't be graded Good until it traces or certifies it.
- Uses cotton in only a few products and doesn't show where it comes from. That doesn't count against it for Good, but the "Open supply chain" star needs all of it traced, certified or upcycled.
Research notes Ferm Living buys from outside suppliers and its 2024 Responsibility Report lists production in 16 countries (the site shows the first 12 alphabetically) and upholstery textiles from 10, but gives no shares by country or full supplier list. Its 2025 annual report says 58% of suppliers are rated 'responsible' and externally audited (e.g. BSCI, SA8000), and all suppliers sign its code of conduct, whose wage clause asks for pay that meets basic needs. It aims for 100% FSC wood by 2030 but gives no current share. No labour abuse reports involving the brand were found.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Baptist World Aid's reports cover fashion and electronics, not furniture and homewares brands. View |
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Not covered | With about 96 staff, Ferm Living is below the size at which UK or Australian modern slavery statements are required, and none was found. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 7
Show all 7 sources
- Ferm Living Code of Conduct · search the archive · Wages must meet basic needs of workers and families; third-party verification possible
- Sustainability in Action: Ferm Living's Vision for 2030 (Skandium) · search the archive · Goal of 100% FSC-certified wood by 2030; 54% of suppliers met standards in 2023
- Ferm Living (Designstuff) · search the archive · Australian online retailer and official Ferm Living stockist, delivering Australia-wide
- Responsibility Report 2024 (Ferm Living) · search the archive · Global supply chain table: production in 16 countries, upholstery textiles from 10; no shares; no violations identified in 2024
Published by Ferm Living or its owner
- Our production - supplier stories (Ferm Living) · search the archive · Profiles 8 suppliers: China (glass, ceramics), Italy (marble, upholstery), India (rugs), Lithuania, Croatia, Latvia
- Annual Report 2025, MIE5 Datterholding 9 ApS · search the archive · Maj Invest Equity 5 owns 67%; 96 employees; 58% of suppliers externally audited; all sign code of conduct
- Production & global supply chain (Ferm Living) · search the archive · Range made by outside suppliers; uses certified materials and supplier engagement
Company details
- Headquarters
- Denmark
- Employees
- About 96
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Ferm Living ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/ferm-living, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded furniture
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.
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Ferm Living.