Pro-Ject Audio Systems
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 6 sources
Austrian hi-fi brand best known for turntables.
Until Pro-Ject Audio Systems traces its cobalt, gold and tin to the mine, it can't show that the miners who dig them are safe or fairly paid.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 2 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 2 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Met: Respects worker rights
- 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: no certification, independent audits or supplier list
- 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
Pro-Ject Audio Systems says which countries it makes its products in, but doesn't name the factories.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
| Czechia | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| Germany | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
| Slovakia | Strong protections | Not rated | Moderate |
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 Pro-Ject says it makes everything in Europe, in Czechia, Slovakia, Austria and Germany, and gives no split by country (it says 95% of goods are made within 440km of its factories). Its turntables are built by SEV Litovel in Czechia, a partner factory of about 400 staff that Pro-Ject does not own. Pro-Ject publishes no supplier list, supplier code of conduct, audit results or living wage commitment; its sustainability page covers local sourcing of materials, not workers.
What independent sources say
Sources and actions
Sources 6
Show all 6 sources
- SEV Litovel company profile · search the archive · SEV Litovel makes turntables mainly for Pro-Ject, with parts from its Červenka plant and assembly in Litovel; ISO 9001.
- Czech firm sees surge in sales of turntables amid vinyl boom (AP via Fox News, 2017) · search the archive · SEV Litovel, about 400 staff, makes turntables sold under the Pro-Ject brand through a commercial deal, not ownership.
- Pro-Ject Debut Pro S (The Audio Tailor) · search the archive · Pro-Ject turntables sold by an Australian retailer with a Brisbane store.
- Pro-Ject (Wikipedia) · search the archive · Founded 1991 by Heinz Lichtenegger; division of Audio Tuning, which also owns Musical Fidelity.
Published by Pro-Ject Audio Systems or its owner
- About Pro-Ject (Pro-Ject Audio Systems) · search the archive · All turntables made in Czech Republic; small components made in Slovakia; handmade goods made solely in Europe.
- Sustainable HiFi (Pro-Ject Audio Systems) · search the archive · Production in Czechia, Slovakia, Austria and Germany; 97% of raw materials sourced locally.
Company details
- Headquarters
- Austria
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Pro-Ject Audio Systems ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/pro-ject, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
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