Zippo
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 3 sources
Family-owned US maker of windproof lighters.
There's no proof Zippo pays more than the legal minimum, which in the United States 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 the United States, China and Vietnam.
- 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 (leather) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeOnly in a few products: leather
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
From Zippo'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Systematic violations | Below a living wage | Low |
| ChinaUsual for the industry | 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 leather in only a few products, so the raw-material check doesn't hold it back for Good. It doesn't show where its leather comes from. The "Open supply chain" star needs all of it traced, certified or upcycled.
- Owns or runs its own production
- Modern slavery statement
Research notes Every Zippo windproof lighter is made at the company's own factory in Bradford, Pennsylvania, and fuel is made locally. A small share of other products is bought from suppliers in China (utility lighters, outdoor goods), India (leather pouches), Taiwan, Austria (flints) and Canada (fuel bottles); no shares by country are published. Zippo's 2026 forced and child labour report (Canada) describes a supplier code, pre-engagement audits and factory visits, and reports no cases found, but it publishes no supplier list or audit results. No labour abuses tied to Zippo have been reported.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not covered | Baptist World Aid's Ethical Fashion and Electronics reports do not assess lighter or homewares makers like Zippo. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 3
Show all 3 sources
- Where Are Zippo Lighters Made? 2026 Overview (All American Made) · search the archive · Every Zippo windproof lighter made in Bradford; privately owned by founder's family; owns W.R. Case & Sons
- Zippo Satin Chrome Windproof Lighter - BCF · search the archive · Zippo lighters and accessories sold by BCF stores in Australia
Published by Zippo or its owner
- Zippo's Position Against Unlawful Labor Practices (forced and child labour report, Sept 2026) · search the archive · Lighters made in Bradford, PA; some goods from China, India (leather pouches), Taiwan, Austria, Canada; no forced or child labour found
Company details
- Headquarters
- United States
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Zippo ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/zippo, 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 Zippo.