Staedtler
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 7 sources
Nuremberg maker of pencils, markers and erasers.
There's no proof Staedtler pays more than the legal minimum, which in Peru is well below a living wage.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 4 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 4 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
- Met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that listMakes its products in its own factories
- Met: High-risk raw materials (timber) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeTraced or certified: timber
Red flags 1
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
| Star | Awarded for |
|---|---|
| Gives workers a real voice | |
| Open supply chain |
Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
Germany has the largest share, 67%. Peru is next, at 33%.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 67% | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
| Peru | 33% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
Evidence
What we found
- Passes the raw-material check for homewares and appliances: traces or certifies all of its timber.
- FSC or PEFC certified timber: Forest certification that includes core labour rights for forest workers.
- Owns or runs its own production
- Actively empowers workers (ownership, worker committees, union agreements, training)
- Traces all of its timber to the country of origin or beyond, or buys all of it certified
Research notes Staedtler makes its products in its own factories: four sites in Germany and two in Peru (shares shown are by number of sites); it says almost two-thirds of its products are made in Germany. It signed an international framework agreement on workers' rights with the global union BWI and IG Metall in 2006, joined Sedex in 2022 and runs an external whistleblowing line, but publishes no audit results, supplier list or wage data. All wood it uses is FSC or PEFC certified. It is consolidating German production in Nuremberg by 2028 and building a plant in Bydgoszcz, Poland, due to start production in 2027.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Baptist World Aid's reports cover clothing and electronics, not stationery; Shop Ethical rates Staedtler Australia B with no criticisms listed (July 2026). View |
Sources and actions
Sources 7
Show all 7 sources
- Staedtler - Good Shopping Guide (ethical.org.au) · search the archive · Rated B (July 2026), no criticisms; framework agreement with BWI and IG Metall (2006); owned by Staedtler Foundation
- New Staedtler production plant in Bydgoszcz (Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship Office, July 2026) · search the archive · Construction from end of 2026; refills from 2027 and wood-cased pencils from 2028; about 120 jobs by 2029
- Staedtler products at Officeworks · search the archive · Sold at Officeworks stores in Australia
Published by Staedtler or its owner
- STAEDTLER brief profile · search the archive · Almost two-thirds of products made in Germany at four Nuremberg-area sites; over 2,200 staff
- STAEDTLER company facts and figures · search the archive · Six production sites: four in Germany, two in Peru; about 2,000 staff; all woods PEFC or FSC certified
- Sustainability at STAEDTLER · search the archive · Sedex member since 2022; external Integrity Line; all wood PEFC or FSC certified
- STAEDTLER is consolidating its production sites in Germany · search the archive · German production moving to Nuremberg by 2028; new Eastern European site
Company details
- Headquarters
- Germany
- Employees
- About 2,000
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Staedtler ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/staedtler, 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 Staedtler.