TP-Link
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 2 November 2026 · 6 sources
Chinese-founded maker of Wi-Fi routers and smart devices.
There's no proof TP-Link pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage, and it doesn't name the factories its Responsible Business Alliance audits cover.
Better-graded laptops and computers
Graded higher than TP-Link, 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.
Know something we've missed? Send evidence. Represent TP-Link? Send a right of reply.
Compare TP-Link with another brand
Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 2 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 2 red flags: no evidence of a living wage and unaudited production 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 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
- 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
- Not met: Traces its cobalt, gold and other conflict minerals to the mine
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 TP-Link's own disclosure: it makes its products in its own factories. Its list covers only part of its range. The rest is shown as where electronics are usually made.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 54% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Vietnam | 17% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| India | Not given | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| Brazil | Not given | Systematic violations | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| TaiwanUsual for the industry | 3% | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| MalaysiaUsual for the industry | 3% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| South KoreaUsual for the industry | 2% | No guarantee of rights | Close to a living wage | Low |
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. (partly offset by certification or direct sourcing)
- Owns or runs its own production
- Modern slavery statement
- It publishes its smelters or uses some recycled or responsibly mined metals, but can't yet trace its cobalt and gold to the mine.
Research notes TP-Link names four own manufacturing centres, three in China (Shenzhen, Shenzhen Guangqiao, Dongguan) and one in Vietnam, and a Brazil base under construction; it also names India in its supply system, where most India-sold products are made by contract makers. Shares count its named factories. All four centres hold RBA silver ratings, and it is an RMI member with RMAP smelter checks, aiming to audit all suppliers on site by 2030. It publishes no supplier list, audit findings or wage data, and makes no living wage commitment.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Listed | TP-Link UK published a statement under the UK Modern Slavery Act covering 2020. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 6
Show all 6 sources
- TP-Link to establish global factory in India (Angel One, 2025) · search the archive · About 92% of India-sold TP-Link products made locally by contract manufacturers; own Indian plant planned
- TP-Link Deco BE85 mesh system - Officeworks · search the archive · TP-Link products sold by Officeworks, which has stores across Australia
Published by TP-Link or its owner
- TP-Link 2024 Sustainability Report · search the archive · Own centres in Shenzhen (2), Dongguan and Vietnam; Brazil base under construction; India in supply system; RBA silver ratings; RMI member
- TP-Link Vietnam manufacturing base announcement · search the archive · Own Vietnam factory of 140,000 m2 with planned capacity of 4 million units a month
- TP-Link Supplier Code of Conduct · search the archive · Supplier code of conduct covering labour standards
- TP-Link UK Modern Slavery Act Statement (2021) · search the archive · UK modern slavery statement for the year to December 2020
Company details
- Headquarters
- United States
- Last researched
- 2 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is TP-Link ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/tp-link, last researched 2 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 TP-Link.