Sunbeam
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 6 sources
Australian brand of small kitchen appliances and irons.
There's no proof Sunbeam pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage, and it has no full independent audit.
Know something we've missed? Send evidence. Represent Sunbeam? Send a right of reply.
Compare Sunbeam with another brand
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 press and retailer reports; Sunbeam doesn't say where its products are made. 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 |
| 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
Research notes Sunbeam is run in Australia by Newell Australia, part of Newell Brands, and buys finished appliances from suppliers around the world; news reports say they are made mostly in China, but neither company names countries or factories and no supplier list is published. Newell says it ran 396 social compliance audits in 2025 and found no confirmed forced labour; five suppliers were put on action plans over migrant labour and recruitment fees. Its supplier code requires only legal minimum wages and there is no living wage commitment.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Listed | Newell Australia is covered by Newell Brands' 2025 modern slavery statement, which reports 396 social compliance audits and no confirmed forced labour cases in 2025. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 6
Show all 6 sources
- Newell Australia - Good Shopping Guide (ethical.org.au) · search the archive · Newell Australia, owned by Newell Brands, sells Sunbeam appliances; no supplier or factory findings listed
- Newell Brands 2025 Modern Slavery Statement (Australian register) · search the archive · Covers Newell Australia; 18,000+ suppliers in 90+ countries; 396 social audits in 2025; 5 action plans on migrant labour and fees; minimum wage code
- SBS News: GUD switches off Sunbeam · search the archive · Sunbeam products are made mostly in China and have not been made in Australia for at least 10 years
- Grand dame of SDA ours no longer (Appliance Retailer) · search the archive · GUD sold its remaining Sunbeam stake to Jarden (Sunbeam Products) in 2016; Jarden later merged into Newell
Published by Sunbeam or its owner
- Newell Australia and Sunbeam Corporation 2021 Modern Slavery Statement · search the archive · Australian business sources finished goods from suppliers worldwide; 498 factories reviewed in 2021; no countries named
- Sunbeam Australia website · search the archive · Site run by Newell Australia Pty Ltd; Sunbeam appliances on sale with Australian retailers.
Company details
- Headquarters
- Australia
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Sunbeam ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/sunbeam, 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
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Sunbeam.