Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Based on what Wahl publishes, with few independent checks. Researched with AI assistance against published rules. Last researched 3 November 2026 · 7 sources · How we check
Family-owned US maker of hair clippers and trimmers.
There's no proof Wahl 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
Meets 3 of 6 Good requirements, with 2 red flags.Open why it has this gradeClose why it has this grade
- 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 rightsSome 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
- 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: Made partly 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
China, Vietnam, United States and 7 more countries.Open where it's madeClose where it's made
From Wahl'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 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 |
| Vietnam | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| United States | Systematic violations | Below a living wage | Low |
| Hungary | Systematic violations | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| United Kingdom | Regular violations | Close to a living wage | Low |
| Germany | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
| 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
2 things we found and what 2 independent sources say.Open the evidenceClose the 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.
- Owns or runs its own production
Research notes Wahl makes its clippers in its own factories in the US (Sterling, Illinois, where it cut about a fifth of staff in 2025), Hungary, China, the UK, Germany and Vietnam, but gives no split between them. Its California supply chain disclosure says direct suppliers must certify compliance and may face unannounced third-party visits, and its workplace standards require legal minimum wages. It publishes no audit results, supplier list or living wage commitment, and no labour abuses tied to Wahl products have been reported.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion ReportAnother organisation's rating | Not assessed | Not assessed in Baptist World Aid's Ethical Fashion or Electronics reports, which do not cover personal care appliance makers. View |
| Australian Modern Slavery Register | Couldn't confirm | No modern slavery statement for Wahl's Australian subsidiary appears on the Australian register; it may fall below the reporting threshold. View |
Sources and actions
7 sources, company details, and how to send evidence or a right of reply.Open the sources and company detailsClose the sources and company details
Sources 7
Show all 7 sources
- Wahl - Manufacturing Engineering Internship companies (Sauk Valley Community College) · search the archive · Wahl has factories in Hungary, China, UK, Germany and Vietnam, HQ in Sterling IL; over 3,500 staff
- Commencement of Wahl Vietnam factory (Unicons, 2013) · search the archive · Wahl Clipper Corporation's own first factory in Vietnam, making hair clippers and trimmers
- Wahl Clipper to cut Sterling workforce by 20% (Shaw Local, 2025) · search the archive · Wahl still makes trimmers in Sterling, Illinois; about 20% of Sterling staff cut in 2025
- Wahl (JB Hi-Fi) · search the archive · Wahl clippers and trimmers sold by JB Hi-Fi in Australia
Published by Wahl or its owner
- Wahl Clipper Corporation California Supply Chains Act disclosure (2024) · search the archive · Direct suppliers certify compliance; internal or third-party verification and possible unannounced visits (rev. 03, 2024)
- Wahl Clipper Corporation Workplace Standards (2017) · search the archive · Wages must meet the legal minimum; no living wage benchmark
- Wahl Canada: About us · search the archive · Wahl plant on North Locust Street in Sterling since 1957; shaver mass production at Sterling plant from 1991; Wahl acquired Moser in 1996
Company details
- Headquarters
- United States
- Employees
- About 3,500
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Wahl ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/wahl, 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 Wahl.
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