Rowenta
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 7 sources
SEB-owned brand of steam irons and vacuum cleaners.
There's no proof Rowenta pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 3 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 3 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsJudged on where its products are made: worker rights are poorly protected in China, Vietnam and India.
- 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 1
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
Rowenta says it makes products in France. Press and retailer reports name China. 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 |
| France | Regular violations | About a living wage | Low |
| VietnamUsual for the industry | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| 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 |
| 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
- Independent social audits of all its main factories
- Makes part of its range in its own factories
Research notes Groupe SEB says it makes about two-thirds of the products it sells in its own factories (39 to 44 sites), with 23% of output in Europe and its largest small appliance plant in Shaoxing, China. Rowenta vacuums, including the X-Force Flex stick vacuum since 2024, are made at SEB's Vernon plant in France; its German plant at Erbach closed in 2022, and SEB moved some Rowenta production to China in 2009. No country split is given. Intertek audits SEB suppliers every three to four years, but SEB publishes no supplier list, audit results or living wage commitment.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Listed | Groupe SEB UK Limited is listed on the UK modern slavery statement registry, but its 2020 statement did not describe its supply chain, risks or audits. View |
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Baptist World Aid's ethical reports cover fashion and (until 2016) electronics, not home appliance brands such as Rowenta. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 7
Show all 7 sources
- Rowenta restructuring event (Eurofound, 2009) · search the archive · 2009: 214 Rowenta jobs cut at Erbach and Pont-Évêque as production moved to China
- Comment Rowenta fabrique ses aspirateurs en France (LSA) · search the archive · Rowenta's Vernon plant in France assembles about one million vacuums a year and exports 60%
- Rowenta launches in Australia (Appliance Retailer, 2011) · search the archive · Groupe SEB launched Rowenta floor care in Australia in 2011, with Harvey Norman as a retailer
- Rowenta lance X-Force Flex 13.60, son premier aspirateur balai fabriqué en France (Le Tribunal du Net) · search the archive · X-Force Flex 13.60 stick vacuum (2024) made at Rowenta's Vernon plant, which employs 227 staff
- Rowenta - Wikipedia · search the archive · Owned by Groupe SEB since 1988; Erbach, Germany site opened in 1959 and closed in 2022
Published by Rowenta or its owner
- Groupe SEB - Industrial expertise · search the archive · Makes about 2/3 of products sold in-house; 39-44 industrial sites; 23% of output in Europe; Shaoxing, China is largest small appliance plant
- Groupe SEB - Responsible purchasing · search the archive · Intertek WCA social audits of suppliers at onboarding and every 3-4 years; no audit results published
Company details
- Owned by
- Groupe SEB
- Headquarters
- Germany
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Rowenta ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/rowenta, 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
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Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Rowenta.