Umbra
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 5 sources
Toronto company designing affordable homewares.
There's no proof Umbra pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage, and it has no full independent audit.
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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 (timber) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeOnly in a few products: timber
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Hidden supply chain, mostly in countries with poor worker rights
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; Umbra 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
- Uses timber in only a few products, so the raw-material check doesn't hold it back for Good. It doesn't show where its timber comes from. The "Open supply chain" star needs all of it traced, certified or upcycled.
Research notes Umbra designs its products in Toronto and has them made by outside suppliers; the only source naming a production country says production is mainly in China, so no shares are shown. It publishes no supplier list, supplier code of conduct, audit results, modern slavery or forced labour report, or wage information. Its sustainability page covers materials only: it says over 65% of wood products use fast-growing species or FSC-certified wood, without saying how much is certified or where the wood is grown.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Homewares companies are not assessed in Baptist World Aid's Ethical Fashion Report (latest edition 2024). (2024 edition; latest is 2026) View |
| Business & Human Rights Resource Centre | Not listed | No Business & Human Rights Resource Centre company page or stories about Umbra's supply chain. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 5
Show all 5 sources
- HFN: Umbra, 30 years young (2010) · search the archive · China became a key production site; Umbra bought its own factory in southern China; some plastics still made in Canada; Toronto HQ; Mandelbaum majority owner
- Umbra brand spotlight - Soko & Co · search the archive · Authorised Australian Umbra stockist with three showrooms in Western Australia
- Umbra Bellwood umbrella stand - Bunnings Warehouse · search the archive · Umbra wooden products sold by Bunnings Australia
Published by Umbra or its owner
- Sustainability - Umbra · search the archive · Over 65% of wood products from fast-growing species or FSC wood; recycled plastics; no labour or factory disclosure
- About - Umbra · search the archive · Private company led by founders Les Mandelbaum and Paul Rowan; Toronto HQ; offices incl. China; no factory disclosure
Company details
- Headquarters
- Canada
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Umbra ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/umbra, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded furniture
None of the furniture brands we know to make furniture is Good yet. These are the strongest so far. Le Klint is Good, but we don't know that it makes furniture.
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Umbra.