Viners
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 6 sources
British cutlery brand.
We couldn't confirm where Viners makes most of its stainless steel cutlery sets.
Also worth knowing
Most homewares and appliances are made in countries such as China and Vietnam, where pay is usually below a living wage.
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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, 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 2 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsWhere homewares and appliances are usually made, such as China and India, 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: Probably 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
We couldn't confirm where Viners makes most of its products, so this shows where homewares and appliances are usually made.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 50% | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Vietnam | 15% | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| India | 10% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| Poland | 10% | Regular violations | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| Indonesia | 8% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Malaysia | 7% | 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 Viners stopped manufacturing in Sheffield after the company went bankrupt in 1985, and it had already been importing cutlery from East Asia since the 1970s. Rayware does not say where Viners cutlery is made today or name any factories. Owner Rayware's 2023 modern slavery statement says it has over 200 suppliers in Europe and Asia, checked by third-party audits or visits, but names no brands, factories or results and makes no wage commitment. No labour abuse reports involving the brand were found.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Not listed | Rayware's statement is not on the UK government's registry; it publishes a short supplier modern slavery statement (February 2023) on its own website. View |
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Baptist World Aid's reports cover fashion and electronics, not cutlery brands. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 6
Show all 6 sources
- Rayware Group delighted with Viners cutlery brand acquisition (Housewares Live, 2015) · search the archive · Rayware acquired the Viners brand
- Viners Windsor 18/0 16 PCE Cutlery Set Giftbox - Amazon.com.au · search the archive · Viners cutlery sets listed on Amazon Australia
- Viners - Wikipedia · search the archive · Imports from East Asia from the mid-1970s; bankrupt in 1985; Oneida owner from 2000; bought by Rayware out of administration in 2014
Published by Viners or its owner
- Viners - Frequently asked questions · search the archive · No information on where products are made or on sourcing ethics
- Viners stockists · search the archive · UK and Irish stockists listed; Rayware exports to over 50 countries via an export department
- The Rayware Group: Modern Slavery Statement · search the archive · February 2023 statement: over 200 suppliers in Europe and Asia; third-party audits and/or factory visits; no factories named
Company details
- Owned by
- The Rayware Group (Hamsard 3634 Ltd), majority-owned by EPE Special Opportunities since 2021
- Headquarters
- United Kingdom
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Viners ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/viners, 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 Viners.