Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 5 sources
Leeds maker of premium hair straighteners, dryers and curling wands.
We couldn't confirm where ghd makes most of its hair straighteners and dryers.
Also worth knowing
Most homewares and appliances are made in countries such as China and Vietnam, where pay is usually below a living wage.
Better-graded appliances
Graded higher than ghd, 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 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 ghd 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 ghd outsources manufacturing to suppliers in Europe and the Far East, with component suppliers worldwide, but names no countries or factories and publishes no supplier list. Its in-house quality team audits key suppliers on site and remotely, and owner Wella says 96% of ghd's direct suppliers have been scored in its supplier risk reviews. Neither ghd's short, undated statement nor Wella's FY2025 statement reports any cases, independent social audits or wage commitments.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Listed | ghd publishes a UK Modern Slavery Act statement signed by its CEO, saying manufacturing is outsourced to suppliers in Europe and the Far East. View |
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Listed | Wella Company's FY2025 group modern slavery statement, made under the UK, California and Australian laws, covers ghd. View |
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Baptist World Aid does not rate hair appliance makers; its Electronics Industry Report ended in 2016. View |
| Business & Human Rights Resource Centre | Unclear | No labour abuse reports involving ghd or its suppliers were identified. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 5
Show all 5 sources
- Coty Sells Remaining Stake in Wella to KKR (Business Wire, 2025) · search the archive · Coty sold its remaining 25.8% Wella stake to KKR in December 2025
- ghd Platinum+ straightener (Myer) · search the archive · ghd sold by Myer in Australia
- Good Hair Day (Wikipedia) · search the archive · Headquartered in Leeds; part of Wella, sold by Coty to KKR in 2020
Published by ghd or its owner
- ghd Modern Slavery Statement · search the archive · Outsourced manufacturers in Europe and the Far East; in-house quality team audits; 700+ staff; parent Wella Operations US LLC
- Wella Company Modern Slavery Statement FY2025 · search the archive · Group statement covering ghd under UK, California and Australian laws; 96% of ghd direct suppliers scored; no cases or wage content
Company details
- Headquarters
- United Kingdom
- Employees
- About 700
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is ghd ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/ghd, 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 ghd.