Synology
Lacks transparency. Shows little about where or how its products are made.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 3 sources
Taiwanese maker of network storage devices.
We couldn't find where Synology makes most of its products, a certification covering its range or a list of its suppliers.
Also worth knowing
Most electronics are made in countries such as China and Vietnam, where pay is usually below a living wage.
Better-graded laptops and computers
Graded higher than Synology, selling the same kinds of things. Second-hand first.
No laptops and computers brand selling new goods is Good yet. This is the strongest so far. Second-hand and refurbished goods create no new factory work, so they're Good by rule and come first.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 3 red flags, 2 of which set the grade: no evidence of a living wage and unaudited production, probably in high-risk countries. Two or more red flags means a poor grade.
- 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 1 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsWhere electronics are usually made, such as China and Malaysia, 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
- Not met: Traces its cobalt, gold and other conflict minerals to the mine
Red flags 3
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Probably made mostly in countries with poor worker rights, without a full independent audit of its supply chain
- Red flag: Relies on high-risk mined materials it can't traceShown to explain the grade. It isn't one of the 2 red flags that set it.
- Red flag: Fails its category's raw-material check (means Lacks transparency)
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
We couldn't confirm where Synology makes most of its products, so this shows where electronics are usually made.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 55% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Vietnam | 15% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Taiwan | 10% | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| Malaysia | 8% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| South Korea | 7% | No guarantee of rights | Close to a living wage | Low |
| India | 5% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
Evidence
What we found
- Risk across the industry, not a finding about this company: cobalt, tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold mining carry child and forced labour risk (DR Congo, Indonesia), and assembly overtime is widespread.
- Relies on metals such as cobalt, gold and tin from artisanal mines where miners, including children, face toxic dust, mercury exposure and deadly tunnel collapses. It hasn't shown any steps to trace these materials to the mine, so it's graded Lacks transparency until it does.
Research notes Synology outsources production to contract manufacturers and says 96% of its suppliers are in Taiwan, but it does not name its factories or say where devices are assembled. Its latest sustainability report (2023, published 2025, Taiwan HQ only) mentions supplier inspections and audits and a conflict-minerals declaration from suppliers, but gives no audit findings, no smelter list, no RBA membership and no living wage commitment. No labour abuses linked to its products have been reported.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Synology is not in Baptist World Aid's Electronics Industry Report, whose last edition was in 2016 and covered larger brands. View |
| KnowTheChain | Not covered | Synology is not among the companies assessed in KnowTheChain's 2025 ICT benchmark. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 3
Show all 3 sources
- BuyWisely - Synology DS223j · search the archive · Sold by Australian retailers including Scorptec, PLE Computers and Landmark Computers
Published by Synology or its owner
- Synology Corporate Sustainability Report 2023 · search the archive · Outsources production to contract manufacturers; 96% of suppliers in Taiwan; supplier inspections and audits; 938 staff in Taiwan
- Synology ESG · search the archive · ESG page mentions responsible suppliers but no factory locations, RBA or audits
Company details
- Headquarters
- Taiwan
- Employees
- About 938
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Synology ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/synology, 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 Synology.