Hasselblad
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 5 sources
Swedish camera maker known for medium-format cameras.
Until Hasselblad traces its cobalt, gold and tin to the mine, it can't show that the miners who dig them are safe or fairly paid.
Know something we've missed? Send evidence. Represent Hasselblad? Send a right of reply.
Compare Hasselblad with another brand
Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It relies on high-risk mined materials it can't trace. That alone means a poor grade until it takes steps to trace them.
- 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 rightsSome of its products are made in China, 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: Traces its cobalt, gold and other conflict minerals to the mine
Red flags 3
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Hidden supply chain, partly in countries with poor worker rights
- Red flag: Relies on high-risk mined materials it can't trace
- Red flag: Fails its category's raw-material check (means Lacks transparency)
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
From press and retailer reports; Hasselblad doesn't say where its products are made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Japan | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| Sweden | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
Evidence
What we found
- Risk across the industry, not a finding about this company: cobalt, tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold mining carry child and forced labour risk (DR Congo, Indonesia), and assembly overtime is widespread.
- Relies on metals such as cobalt, gold and tin from artisanal mines where miners, including children, face toxic dust, mercury exposure and deadly tunnel collapses. It hasn't shown any steps to trace these materials to the mine, so it's graded Lacks transparency until it does.
Research notes Hasselblad assembles its camera bodies, such as the X2D 100C and 907X, at its Gothenburg plant in Sweden; most XCD lenses are made in Japan, and some lenses plus batteries, chargers and accessories in China. No country shares are disclosed. Neither Hasselblad nor parent DJI publishes a supplier list, audit results, modern slavery statement or living wage commitment, and neither is an RBA member.
Sources and actions
Sources 5
Show all 5 sources
- DJI acquires majority stake in Hasselblad (TechCrunch, Jan 2017) · search the archive · DJI acquired a majority stake in Swedish camera company Hasselblad, reported January 2017.
- How Tariffs Impact Fujifilm, Phase One, Hasselblad (Capture Integration, April 2025) · search the archive · X2D 100C and 907X bodies made in Sweden; most XCD lenses in Japan; 75P lens, batteries, chargers and accessories in China
- Hasselblad X2D 100C body (Camtec) · search the archive · Listing gives the X2D 100C as made by Hasselblad in Sweden
- Hasselblad Factory, Sweden (Alastair Philip Wiper, 2017) · search the archive · Hasselblad cameras are hand-assembled at the company's Gothenburg factory
- Hasselblad cameras (Ted's Cameras) · search the archive · Australian camera chain with physical stores sells Hasselblad cameras
Company details
- Owned by
- DJI (majority owner since 2017)
- Headquarters
- Sweden
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Hasselblad ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/hasselblad, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Other TV and audio brands
Nothing we've rated in TV and audio is better than Lacks transparency yet.
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Hasselblad.