Kotn
Partly verifiedKotn isn't doing enough to protect workers: there's no proof workers earn a living wage, and unions and workers' rights are heavily restricted in Egypt. It does have some safeguards, as it says it buys directly from producers at agreed prices.
Last researched 7 October 2026
Not doing enough. Workers in the supply chain are likely underpaid, unprotected or in danger, and in the worst cases face forced or child labour. Look for a better-graded alternative. What this grade means
Good: 1 of 5
- Pays a living wage
- Respects worker rights
- Full supply chain audit, or made only in countries with rigorous labour standards
- No child or forced labour findings
- Publishes where its products are made (supplier list, named farms or its own factories)
Great: 1 of 3
- Pays beyond a living wage
- Finds and fixes problems, or invests directly in workers' communities
- Actively empowers workers
Needs all Good requirements plus two of these.
Red flags: 1
- Hidden or unaudited supply chain (no certification or documentation, or major production in countries with poor worker rights without independent audits)
Where it's made
| Country | Worker rights | Legal wages | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egypt 90% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Portugal 10% | Strong protections | Below a living wage | Low |
Country conditions from the ITUC Global Rights Index, Global Slavery Index and living wage benchmarks. Certifications and audits can raise a company above its countries' baseline.
Why this grade
- Cotton is linked to forced labour (Xinjiang, Turkmenistan) and child labour in several growing regions. (partly offset by certification or direct sourcing)
- Certified B Corp: Whole-company assessment. Labour is one part of the score, so it is supportive rather than proof.
- Direct trade (self-reported)
- Invests in worker and farming communities
Kotn buys cotton directly from smallholder farms in Egypt and says it pays them 35% above market price, but publishes no actual prices. Its traceability map lists each stage of production in Egypt (yarn mill, fabric mills, dye house, three sewing factories) by city and role, but not by name, and only the yarn mill is shown with a social audit (amfori BSCI). Kotn says it is committed to living wages, but publishes no wage figures, living wage benchmark or factory audit results; it has funded and built primary schools in rural Egypt.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| B Corp directory | Found | Certified B Corp since 2017 with an overall score of 102.6, including 24.4 for workers. View ↗ |
| Fair Wear | Unclear | No Fair Wear membership is disclosed by Kotn or listed in Fair Wear announcements. View ↗ |
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Unclear | No Ethical Fashion Report grade for Kotn has been published. View ↗ |
| Fashion Transparency Index (Fashion Revolution) | Unclear | No Fashion Transparency Index score for Kotn has been published. View ↗ |
| Open Supply Hub | Unclear | No facilities linked to Kotn could be confirmed on Open Supply Hub. View ↗ |
| Business & Human Rights Resource Centre | Unclear | No allegations against Kotn have been published by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. View ↗ |
Sources (6)
- Kotn - B Corporation profile · archived copy · Certified B Corp since September 2017 with an overall score of 102.6 (Workers 24.4, Community 30.0); headquartered in Ontario, Canada; operates in Canada and Egypt; direct trade with Egyptian smallhol
- Kotn Circular Traceability · archived copy · Supply chain map listing Egyptian farms (690 smallholders, paid 35% above market last season), yarn mill in Borg el Arab (BSCI certified), knit and woven fabric mills, dye house in El Sadat City and c
- Our Supply Chain - Kotn · archived copy · Kotn states commitments to living wages, safe working conditions and direct relationships with farmers, without wage figures or audit details.
- Toronto brand Kotn continues Canadian retail expansion (Retail Insider, 2023) · archived copy · Co-founder says Kotn has expanded to other countries but the vast majority of its product is made in Egypt; works directly with over 2,000 smallholder farms.
- Good On You - summer closet staples from Kotn (2023) · archived copy · Some Kotn products, such as a Tencel camp shirt, are made in Portugal.
- Good On You - Kotn rating · archived copy · Rated Good overall and Great for people; limited evidence of living wage payment across the supply chain.
Last researched 7 October 2026 · details still being verified. Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Represent this company and think something is wrong? A right-of-reply form is coming soon.