Tefal
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 5 sources
SEB's brand of nonstick cookware and small appliances.
There's no proof Tefal 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
Tefal says it makes products in France. Groupe SEB's figures 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.
- Makes part of its range in its own factories
- Modern slavery statement
- Independent social audits of all its main 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; its largest small appliance plant is in Shaoxing, China, and it controls Chinese cookware maker Supor. Tefal's Rumilly factory in France employs 1,600 people, and 80% of Tefal items sold in France are made there, but no split is given for Tefal products sold in Australia. Intertek audits suppliers at onboarding and 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 |
Sources and actions
Sources 5
Show all 5 sources
Published by Tefal 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
- The Tefal Brand - Innovation made in France · search the archive · Rumilly factory employs 1,600 and made 35 million items in 2022; 80% of Tefal items sold in France are made in France
- Groupe SEB - Responsible purchasing · search the archive · Responsible procurement charter; Intertek WCA social audits of suppliers at onboarding and every 3-4 years; no audit results published
- Groupe SEB UK Limited modern slavery statement summary (2021) · search the archive · UK statement for 2020 did not cover supply chain structure, risks or audits
- Groupe SEB 2022 Document d'enregistrement universel · search the archive · SEB holds 82.4% of Supor; ~60% of products made in own plants (Asia 33%, Europe 21% of output), 40% sourced; 7 Chinese sites
Company details
- Owned by
- Groupe SEB
- Headquarters
- France
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Tefal ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/tefal, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded cookware and tableware
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Tefal.