Kosta Boda
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 7 sources
Swedish glass brand selling vases, bowls and art glass.
There's no proof Kosta Boda pays more than the legal minimum, which in Thailand and Türkiye is below a living wage, and it has no full independent audit.
Know something we've missed? Send evidence. Represent Kosta Boda? Send a right of reply.
Compare Kosta Boda with another brand
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 Thailand, 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 (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: 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
Kosta Boda names some of the countries it makes in: Germany, Sweden, Slovenia, Thailand and Türkiye. 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 |
| Germany | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
| Sweden | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
| Slovenia | Strong protections | Not rated | Moderate |
| Thailand | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Türkiye | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Very high |
| 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
- 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.
Research notes Kosta Boda glass is blown at the group's own Kosta glassworks in Sweden and by partner glassworks, which it says are mostly in the EU. In 2014 the company planned to move most production abroad and named partner factories in Germany, Turkey, Slovenia and Thailand; no current split is published, so shares are even. Suppliers must follow a code of conduct (unions, minimum wage, overtime, no child labour) and are visited yearly; New Wave Group is an amfori member. No supplier list, audit results or wage data. In Sept 2026 Kosta gave notice of 55 job cuts (about 140 staff in 2024).
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Baptist World Aid's Ethical Fashion and Electronics reports do not assess glassware makers such as Kosta Boda. View |
| Business & Human Rights Resource Centre | Unclear | No Business & Human Rights Resource Centre reports on labour abuses at Kosta glassworks or Kosta Boda's glass suppliers were found. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 7
Show all 7 sources
- Småland glass to be blown abroad (Sveriges Radio) · search the archive · Orrefors Kosta Boda aimed to make 70% of products abroad from 2014; factories in Germany, Turkey, Slovenia, Thailand
- New Wave Group om glasproduktionen utomlands (SVT, 2014) · search the archive · 2014: about 3,200 of 3,500 items made at Kosta; subcontracting mainly in Europe; a few items in Thailand
- New Wave Group - Gifts & Home Furnishings · search the archive · Orrefors and Kosta Boda glass produced at Kosta glassworks; New Wave Group segment
- New Wave-ägda Kosta varslar (EFN, 2026) · search the archive · September 2026 notice of 55 job cuts at Kosta; about 140 employees in 2024
- Kosta Boda Pagod Small Vase Red (David Jones) · search the archive · Kosta Boda sold by David Jones, which has department stores in Australia
Published by Kosta Boda or its owner
- Sustainability - Kosta Boda · search the archive · Own Kosta glassworks; most partners in the EU; supplier code of conduct; suppliers visited yearly
- New Wave Group Sustainability Report 2025 · search the archive · Orrefors Kosta Boda has limited own glass production; group runs supplier audits and takes part in amfori
Company details
- Headquarters
- Sweden
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Kosta Boda ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/kosta-boda, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded cookware and tableware
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Kosta Boda.