Rinnai
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 5 sources
Japanese maker of hot water systems and heaters.
There's no proof Rinnai pays more than the legal minimum, which in Malaysia is below a living wage, and it has no full independent audit.
Better-graded appliances
Graded higher than Rinnai, selling the same kinds of things.
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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 rightsMost of its products are made in countries such as China and Malaysia, 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 mostly 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
Rinnai names some of the countries it makes in: Australia, Malaysia and Japan. The rest is shown as where homewares and appliances are usually made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChinaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Malaysia | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| VietnamUsual for the industry | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Australia | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
| Japan | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| IndiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| PolandUsual for the industry | Regular violations | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| IndonesiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well 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 Rinnai assembles some products, including electric and heat pump water heaters, at its own Braeside factory in Melbourne, which it was expanding in 2026, and sources others from Rinnai's 40-plus factories worldwide, including Rinnai Manufacturing Malaysia and Japan; it does not give production shares. Its modern slavery statement relies on supplier self-assessments (226 of 473 completed in 2024) rather than audits, and makes no living wage commitment. No labour abuses linked to its products have been reported.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Listed | Rinnai Australia lodges annual modern slavery statements covering Rinnai Manufacturing Malaysia, most recently for January to December 2025. View |
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Baptist World Aid's Electronics Industry Report (last edition 2016) did not cover appliance makers like Rinnai. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 5
Show all 5 sources
- Rinnai split system at Harvey Norman · search the archive · Sold in Australian stores through Harvey Norman
- Manufacturing expansion boosts R&D and production capacity in Victoria (Australian Manufacturing, 2026) · search the archive · Rinnai expanding its Braeside manufacturing facility in 2026; 442 staff across three Victorian sites
Published by Rinnai or its owner
- Rinnai Australia Modern Slavery Statement 2024 · search the archive · Manufacturing in Victoria; includes Rinnai Manufacturing Malaysia; 226 of 473 suppliers completed self-assessments; 750+ Australian staff
- Rinnai's Aussie manufacturing captured by Tradie Mag (Rinnai, 2025) · search the archive · Braeside, Melbourne sites assemble Rinnai, Brivis and APAC units, electric tanks and heat pumps
- About Rinnai Australia · search the archive · Subsidiary of Rinnai Corporation, Japan; products also sourced from 40+ global factories; brands Rinnai, Brivis, APAC, Polo
Company details
- Owned by
- Rinnai Corporation
- Headquarters
- Japan
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Rinnai ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/rinnai, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Rinnai.