Russell Hobbs
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 7 sources
British-founded brand of kettles, toasters and irons.
There's no proof Russell Hobbs pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage, and it has no full independent audit.
Better-graded appliances
Graded higher than Russell Hobbs, 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 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 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
From product labels; Russell Hobbs doesn't say where its products are made. The rest is shown as where homewares and appliances are usually made.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | Not given | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| VietnamUsual for the industry | 5% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| IndiaUsual for the industry | 3% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| PolandUsual for the industry | 3% | Regular violations | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| IndonesiaUsual for the industry | 2% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| MalaysiaUsual for the industry | 2% | 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
Research notes Spectrum Brands says nearly all its home and personal care appliances, including Russell Hobbs, are made by third-party suppliers in the Asia-Pacific region; in 2026 it agreed to sell about 27% of that business to Oaktree Capital as a step towards separating it. It does not name the countries or publish a supplier list, although the brand moved its manufacturing to China. Suppliers must follow a code based on the ETI Base Code, and Spectrum can carry out unannounced audits. The group is reported to be an amfori BSCI member. No audit results or living wage commitment are published, and its code asks only for legal wages.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Listed | Spectrum Brands publishes a modern slavery statement on the UK government registry, most recently dated November 2024. View |
Unconfirmed reports
Credible reports that haven't been confirmed by a regulator, completed investigation or the company. They're shown for your information and don't affect the grade.
- China Labor Watch's 2016 'Dirty Frying Pans' investigation found piece rates with no base wage, overtime paid below the legal rate, no rest days, metal dust exposure and fines at Guangdong Three A Stainless Steel, which listed Russell Hobbs as a customer (2015 research); investigators did not see Russell Hobbs goods being made there. Source
Sources and actions
Sources 7
Show all 7 sources
- Spectrum Brands Australia - Good Shopping Guide (ethical.org.au) · search the archive · Owns Russell Hobbs and Remington in Australia; amfori BSCI member; linked to China Labor Watch 2016 cookware report
- Dirty Frying Pans: An Investigation of Labor Abuses in Five Chinese Cookware Factories (China Labor Watch) · search the archive · Three A Stainless Steel listed Russell Hobbs as a customer; piece rates, low overtime pay, no rest days, dust, fines (2015)
- Spectrum Brands Holdings Form 10-K FY2025 · search the archive · Substantially all HPC products made by third-party suppliers in APAC; plan to divest HPC through a sale or spin
- Spectrum Brands Modern Slavery Statement November 2024 (UK registry) · search the archive · Spectrum Brands publishes a UK modern slavery statement
- Morrisons: Russell Hobbs Quiet Boil kettle 20460 · search the archive · Country of origin China; 'Made in China to the specifications of Spectrum Brands, Inc.'; UK contact Spectrum Brands (UK), Failsworth
- Spectrum Brands Holdings Reports Fiscal 2026 Second Quarter Results (Business Wire) · search the archive · Oaktree to invest $127m in HPC; Spectrum to keep about 73% of the Appliances business; closing expected May 2026
Published by Russell Hobbs or its owner
- Spectrum Brands - Supply Chains Act disclosure · search the archive · Supplier code certification, possible unannounced audits, supports ETI Base Code; no audit results disclosed
Company details
- Owned by
- Spectrum Brands Holdings (USA); Oaktree Capital to hold about 27% of its appliances business (2026)
- Headquarters
- United Kingdom
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Russell Hobbs ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/russell-hobbs, 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 Russell Hobbs.