Waterford
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 7 sources
Irish crystal brand selling cut-glass stemware and vases.
There's no proof workers earn 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
- Met: Respects worker rights
- 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 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
Waterford says it makes products in Ireland. Press and retailer reports name Slovenia, Czechia, Hungary and Germany.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
| Slovenia | Strong protections | Not rated | Moderate |
| Czechia | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| Hungary | Systematic violations | Close to a living wage | Moderate |
| Germany | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
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
- Makes part of its range in its own factories
Research notes Only a small share of Waterford crystal is still made at the House of Waterford in Ireland (about 65 production staff in 2026); most is made in Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Germany, and no production shares are published. Fiskars Group owns the Steklarna Rogaška glassworks in Slovenia, where many Waterford pieces are made. Fiskars audits outside suppliers through amfori BSCI and Sedex but publishes no supplier list, audit results or living wage commitment. No labour abuses tied to Waterford products have been reported.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Listed | Covered by Fiskars Group's 2025 modern slavery statement: about 140 finished goods suppliers, amfori BSCI and Sedex membership, no confirmed forced or child labour in 2025. View |
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Baptist World Aid's Ethical Fashion and Electronics reports do not assess homewares brands like Waterford. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 7
Show all 7 sources
- 65 employees impacted by temporary halt to production at House of Waterford (WLR FM, 2026) · search the archive · Fiskars Group cut production at the House of Waterford in February 2026; about 65 staff affected
- Fiskars Group to make changes to glass production factories (Tableware International, 2024) · search the archive · Fiskars investing EUR 15 million in its Rogaška glass factory in Slovenia, where many Waterford crystal products are made
- Marquis by Waterford Herald DOF set of 2 - Myer · search the archive · Waterford glassware sold by Myer in Australia
- TravelExtra: what's new at Waterford's House of Crystal · search the archive · Waterford facility makes about 45,000 premium pieces a year; mass production moved abroad; some products made in Slovenia, Czech Republic, Hungary or Germany
- TheJournal.ie: Fiskars to buy Waterford Wedgwood (May 2015) · search the archive · Finland's Fiskars agreed to buy WWRD for EUR 390 million
Published by Waterford or its owner
- Fiskars Group Supply Chain Due Diligence and Modern Slavery Statement 2025 · search the archive · About 140 finished goods suppliers; amfori BSCI and Sedex member; no confirmed forced or child labour in 2025
- Fiskars UK Limited Modern Slavery Statement, June 2024 · search the archive · UK statement covering Fiskars' UK brands; no living wage commitment
Company details
- Owned by
- Fiskars Group (Finland)
- Headquarters
- Ireland
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Waterford ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/waterford, 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 Waterford.