Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 7 sources
German brand of stainless cookware, cutlery and knives.
There's no proof WMF pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below 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
- Not met: Respects worker rightsJudged on where its products are made: worker rights are poorly protected in China, Vietnam and India.
- Met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No confirmed child or forced labour findings or linksAn unconfirmed report of forced labour is listed below. It doesn't affect the grade.
- 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
WMF says it makes products in Germany. Product labels show China. 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 |
| Germany | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
| 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
- 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
- Independent social audits of all its main factories
- Makes part of its range in its own factories
Research notes WMF has made pots and pans in Riedlingen, knives in Hayingen and bakeware in Diez, Germany, but Groupe SEB announced in February 2026 that production at these sites will end and move to other group plants. Cheaper pans and small appliances are reported to be made in China; no production split is given. Parent SEB makes about two-thirds of its goods in its own factories and has suppliers audited by Intertek, but publishes no WMF supplier list, audit results or living wage commitment.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Listed | Groupe SEB UK Limited is listed on the UK modern slavery statement registry, but its 2020 statement did not describe its supply chain, risks or audits. View |
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Baptist World Aid does not rate cookware brands. View |
Unconfirmed reports
Credible reports that haven't been confirmed by a regulator, completed investigation or the company. They're shown for your information and don't affect the grade.
- China Labor Watch found forced overtime with fines, unpaid overtime premiums, faked pay records and poor safety gear at Guangdong Master Group, a Chinese cookware factory listing WMF as a client; WMF goods were not confirmed in production there (China Labor Watch, 2016). Source
Sources and actions
Sources 7
Show all 7 sources
- Eurofound restructuring event: WMF Hayingen, Riedlingen, Diez (2026) · search the archive · 250 jobs affected at three German sites from 26 Feb 2026; production to move to existing plants
- Riedlingen verliert sein WMF-Werk (MS Aktuell, 2026) · search the archive · WMF pots made in Riedlingen, knives in Hayingen, bakeware in Diez; SEB plans to end production there and move it to other group sites
- Ist WMF made in China? (Küchenfibel) · search the archive · Some cheaper WMF pots and appliances made in China through Groupe SEB plants
- WMF frying pan questions (Galaxus) · search the archive · Buyers report current WMF 28 cm pan is made in China
- WMF Gourmet Plus saucepan (BuyWisely) · search the archive · WMF cookware sold online in Australia via Amazon.com.au
Published by WMF or its owner
- Groupe SEB - Industrial expertise · search the archive · SEB makes about 2/3 of products sold in its own factories
- Groupe SEB - Responsible purchasing · search the archive · Intertek social audits of suppliers at onboarding and every 3-4 years; no results published
Company details
- Owned by
- Groupe SEB
- Headquarters
- Germany
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is WMF ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/wmf, 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 WMF.