R.M. Williams
Partly verified✓ Checks its own supply chain. R.M. Williams actively looks for problems such as child or forced labour, publishes what it finds and works to fix it. That openness is uncommon, so problems it finds and reports itself are shown below but don't count against its grade.
R.M. Williams 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 China and Vietnam. It does have some safeguards, as it makes most products in its own factories.
Last researched 8 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: 3 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: 0 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia 62% | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| China 20% | Systematic violations | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Vietnam 8% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Portugal 5% | Strong protections | Below a living wage | Low |
| Bangladesh 2% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | High |
| Türkiye 2% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Very high |
| India 1% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | High |
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.
- Certified B Corp: Whole-company assessment. Labour is one part of the score, so it is supportive rather than proof.
- Owns or runs its own production
- Publishes supplier list
- Modern slavery statement
- Uses high-risk raw materials (e.g. leather tanning, mica, artisanal gold)
- Uses higher-risk raw materials such as leather that aren't traced to the farm. This is noted as a risk but doesn't decide the grade.
R.M.Williams makes its boots and many leather goods in its own workshop in Salisbury, South Australia, and about 61% of its range was made in Australia in 2023; most overseas-made items are apparel and accessories from factories in China and Vietnam, with some footwear and accessories from Portugal and smaller volumes from Bangladesh, Turkey, India and Madagascar. It publishes a named vendor list including around 20 tanneries and leather suppliers (mostly in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and the US, but also Savar in Bangladesh and Tamil Nadu in India), says it prioritises Leather Working Group gold-rated tanneries, and traces 90% of tier 2 but only 35% of tier 3 supply for core styles. It became a B Corp in April 2024 (score 88.6); its FY25 modern slavery statement reports third-
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| B Corp directory | Found | Certified B Corp since April 2024 with an overall score of 88.6. View ↗ |
| Ethical Clothing Australia | Not listed | Not a current Ethical Clothing Australia accredited brand; its accreditation ceased in September 2018. View ↗ |
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Found | Lodges annual joint modern slavery statements, most recently for the year to 29 June 2025. View ↗ |
| Business & Human Rights Resource Centre | Unclear | No allegations involving R.M.Williams were identified on the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. View ↗ |
Confirmed issues
Problems confirmed by a court, regulator, completed investigation or the company itself. Issues more than 15 years old, or 10–15 years old where the company made amends, are removed. Problems a company finds and publishes itself, and is fixing, are shown but don't count against it.
| When | What happened | Made amends? |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Third-party audits of R.M.Williams' high-priority overseas suppliers found major non-compliances including excessive overtime, unpaid compulsory social insurance and workers unable to form a union, as disclosed in its FY24 and FY25 modern slavery statements. Found and being fixed by the company Not counted against the grade, because the company found and published it itself. | Partly Corrective action plans were put in place; rectification was confirmed at some facilities and one case was still pending in the FY25 statement. |
Sources (10)
- R.M.Williams Modern Slavery Statement FY25 · archived copy · 100% owned by Tattarang; 1,207 employees; manufacturing at Salisbury SA; audit coverage 74% of facilities / 91% of spend; non-compliances on overtime, insurance and union rights with corrective action
- Australian Modern Slavery Register – R.M.Williams statement FY25 · archived copy · R.M.Williams lodges joint modern slavery statements on the government register
- R.M.Williams Modern Slavery Statement FY24 · archived copy · Audit non-compliances (excessive overtime, unions, unpaid insurance) addressed through corrective action plans; supplier names and addresses published
- R.M.Williams FY25 Vendor List · archived copy · Named suppliers by country: own Salisbury workshop, apparel factories in China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Turkey and Madagascar, footwear in Portugal, and tanneries in Italy, France, Germany, Portugal, Spa
- R.M.Williams – Transparency in the supply chain & modern slavery statements · archived copy · Publishes modern slavery statements FY20–FY25, a modern slavery policy and a vendor list
- Ragtrader – R.M. Williams launches most locally sourced collection (2023) · archived copy · 61% of the product range made in Australia; own Adelaide workshop makes over half of products
- Ragtrader – Why R.M. Williams cut ties with supplier in FY25 · archived copy · Exited a supplier that refused to take part in transparency efforts; inputs from 25 overseas countries
- B Corp directory – R.M.Williams · archived copy · Certified B Corp since April 2024, overall score 88.6, Workers 25.0
- Tattarang – R.M.Williams announces B Corp certification (2024) · archived copy · B Corp certification announced July 2024 with score 88.6
- Good Shopping Guide (ethical.org.au) – R.M. Williams · archived copy · Ethical Clothing Australia accreditation ceased in September 2018
Last researched 8 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.