Ortovox
On Track. Pays or is working towards a living wage, with gaps still to close.
Last researched 2 November 2026 · 7 sources
German mountain brand selling merino base layers and packs.
Ortovox makes its merino mountain wear and avalanche gear in 12 countries, with 39% in Vietnam and 20% in Romania, and publishes its supplier list.
Also worth knowing
It's working towards a living wage through its Fair Wear membership, which requires a living wage plan, but can't yet show workers are paid one.
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Why it's graded On Track
- Not met: Meets 5 of 6 Good requirements.
- Working towards a living wage. That's enough for On Track, but Good needs proof that workers are paid one.
- Met: No red flags.
Good requirements 5 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: working towards one
- Met: Respects worker rights
- Met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No confirmed child or forced labour findings or linksAn unconfirmed report of forced labour is listed below. It doesn't affect the grade.
- Met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that listPublishes its supplier list
- Met: High-risk raw materials (such as cotton and leather) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNone recorded in a major share of its range
Red flags 0
None found.
| Star | Awarded for |
|---|---|
| Gives workers a real voice | |
| Open supply chain |
Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Accreditations 1
Where it's made
Vietnam has the largest share, 39%. Romania is next, at 20%.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | 39% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Romania | 20% | Regular violations | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Latvia | 8% | Strong protections | Not rated | Low |
| Serbia | 8% | Systematic violations | Not rated | Moderate |
| Ukraine | 7% | No guarantee of rights | Not rated | Very high |
| China | 5% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Germany | 5% | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
| Poland | 4% | Regular violations | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| Italy | 1% | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| Slovenia | 1% | Strong protections | Not rated | Moderate |
| Lithuania | 1% | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| Austria | 1% | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
Evidence
What we found
- No high-risk raw materials (such as cotton and leather) are recorded in a major share of its range, so the raw-material check doesn't hold it back for Good.
- Publishes supplier list
- Uses little or no cotton (e.g. wool, linen or leather products)
Research notes Ortovox's products are made at 43 supplier sites in 12 countries: Vietnam 39%, Romania 21%, Latvia 8%, Serbia 8%, Ukraine 7%, China 5%, Germany 5%, Poland 4% and small shares in Italy, Slovenia, Lithuania and Austria. As a Fair Wear member it is independently checked and publishes wage-gap data: average wages at its factories remain well below living wage estimates in most countries, and it calls a living wage a medium to long-term goal without dates. Worker complaints rose in 2024 as orders fell. Its merino comes from audited, non-mulesed farms in Tasmania.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Fair Wear | Member | Fair Wear member since 2015; scored 84 in its 2025 Brand Performance Check (published March 2026), after several years of Leader status. View |
Unconfirmed reports
Credible reports that haven't been confirmed by a regulator, completed investigation or the company. They're shown for your information and don't affect the grade.
- Transparentem's 2025 report on forced labour indicators and recruitment fees of up to USD 6,000 charged to migrant workers at nine Taiwanese textile mills (interviews 2022-2023) lists Ortovox among the buyers it contacted over possible supply links; the report does not say which mill, if any, supplied Ortovox. Source
Sources and actions
Sources 7
Show all 7 sources
- Following the Thread: Labor Abuses in Taiwan's Textile Industry (Transparentem, 2025) · search the archive · Forced labour indicators at nine Taiwanese textile mills; Ortovox listed among contacted buyers with possible supply links
- ORTOVOX receives third consecutive Leader status (OI Compass) · search the archive · Joined Fair Wear in 2015; Leader status three years running; Wool Promise launched 2017
- Ortovox Wool Promise (Sport Conrad) · search the archive · Merino from selected Tasmanian farms audited against Ortovox Wool Promise, based on RWS; non-mulesed
- Outdoor division of Schwan-Stabilo reports losses (FashionUnited) · search the archive · Ortovox is one of four brands in Schwan-Stabilo's outdoor division with Deuter, Gonso and Maier Sports
- Ortovox Rescue Set Diract Voice - Rhythm Snowsports · search the archive · Ortovox range sold in AUD by Rhythm Snowsports, which has stores in Cooma, NSW
Published by Ortovox or its owner
- ORTOVOX People Report 2024 · search the archive · 43 Tier 1 sites in 12 countries with shares (Vietnam 39%, Romania 21%); living wage gaps by country; Tier 2 sites published on Open Supply Hub
- ORTOVOX - Social responsibility · search the archive · Fair Wear Leader status a fifth time; living wage called a challenge; joins Textiles Partnership Living Wage Lab; no dated target
Company details
- Headquarters
- Germany
- Last researched
- 2 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Ortovox ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/ortovox, last researched 2 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What On Track means
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Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Ortovox.