Philips
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 4 sources
Dutch brand of shavers, toothbrushes and kitchen appliances.
There's no proof Philips pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage, and it doesn't name the factories its Responsible Business Alliance audits cover.
Know something we've missed? Send evidence. Represent Philips? Send a right of reply.
Compare Philips 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 rightsSome of its products are made in countries such as China and India, 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: Made partly 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
Philips names some of the countries it makes in: the Netherlands, Austria, China, Indonesia, Brazil, the United States, Italy, Romania and India. The rest is shown as where homewares and appliances are usually made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| India | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| Indonesia | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Netherlands | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
| Austria | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
| Brazil | Systematic violations | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| United States | Systematic violations | Below a living wage | Low |
| Italy | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| Romania | Regular violations | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| VietnamUsual for the industry | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| PolandUsual for the industry | Regular violations | Close to 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.
- Modern slavery statement
- Makes part of its range in its own factories
Research notes Philips shavers and toothbrushes come from Royal Philips' own Personal Health factories in the Netherlands, Austria, China, Indonesia, Brazil and the US, while Philips kitchen and home appliances are made by Versuni in its own factories in China, Brazil, Italy, Romania and India and by suppliers; neither says how production is split or publishes a supplier list. Both are Responsible Business Alliance members and audit suppliers in high-risk countries, and Royal Philips reports zero-tolerance audit findings each year (eight in 2025, on health and safety, wages, labour and environment), but neither has a living wage commitment.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Listed | Philips Electronics Australia is covered by Royal Philips' modern slavery statement; the 2025 statement reports eight zero-tolerance supplier findings in 2025, four still being fixed. View |
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Listed | Philips Electronics UK Limited files an annual modern slavery statement on the UK register, most recently for 2025. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 4
Show all 4 sources
- Versuni Modern Slavery and Human Rights Statement 2024 · search the archive · Makes Philips-branded appliances; own factories in Brazil, Italy, Romania, India, China; RBA member; no forced or child labour found in 2024 audits
Published by Philips or its owner
- Philips Modern Slavery and Child Labour Statement 2025 · search the archive · FY2025: about 4,100 product suppliers; RBA member; 8 zero-tolerance findings, 4 open; no living wage commitment or supplier list; about 65,300 staff
- Philips Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement FY2024 · search the archive · About 4,400 tier-one suppliers; RBA member; 8 zero-tolerance findings in 2024; no living wage or supplier list; about 67,800 staff
- Philips industrial sites 2024 · search the archive · Personal Health sites in Klagenfurt, Varginha, Zhuhai, Batam, Drachten and Ontario (CA)
Company details
- Owned by
- Royal Philips (personal care); Versuni, owned by Hillhouse Investment (kitchen and home appliances)
- Headquarters
- Netherlands
- Employees
- About 65,300
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Philips ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/philips, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded appliances
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Philips.