Lacks transparency
A poor grade How it differs from Harm on record
The company doesn't show that the people who make its products are paid and treated fairly. There's no recent confirmed harm on its record that it hasn't put right, though older problems, links through suppliers and problems it found itself and is fixing may be listed. In the countries and industries involved, a supply chain nobody checks usually means workers are underpaid or unprotected.
Treat this as poor. Without evidence that workers are paid and treated fairly, the likely answer is that they aren't. Look for a Good or On Track alternative.
What it takes
- Doesn't meet On Track: misses two or more Good standards, or has a red flag, and has no recent confirmed harm that it hasn't put right. Problems more than 5 years old, links through suppliers it acted on, and problems it or its scheme found and is fixing can still be listed
- Red flags: no living wage; a hidden or unaudited supply chain (no certification or documentation, or major production in countries with poor worker rights without a full independent audit); failing independent ratings
- Or relies on hazardous mined materials, such as cobalt, gold, tin or mica from dangerous artisanal mines, without taking any steps to trace them
- Companies that don't say where they make things are graded on the usual conditions in the countries their industry makes goods in, so a clothing brand that names no countries is assumed to make in places such as Bangladesh and China, and usually lands here. If we researched the company and found little, the grade is marked Little disclosed. If we haven't researched it yet, it's marked Est. Either way the grade is an estimate, not a finding about that company
How to move up
To improve: publish where products are made, get the supply chain independently checked, and show workers are paid a living wage or are on a credible path to one.
Examples from each category
- Good and goes above and beyond (3 to 6 stars)
- Best available: the strongest in a category with no Good brand yet
- Est. = estimated, nothing found about the company itself
- * = self-reported
A. Lange & SöhneUntraced mined materials · Jewellery & watchesLuxury German mechanical watchesPublishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.Lacks transparencyPartly verifiedJunghansUntraced mined materials · Jewellery & watchesGerman mechanical and quartz watchesPublishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.Lacks transparencyPartly verifiedRØDEUntraced mined materials · ElectronicsMicrophones and audio recording gearPublishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.Lacks transparencyPartly verifiedAppel FeinkostUntraced fishing boats or farms · Fish & seafoodCanned herring and fish preservesPublishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.Lacks transparencyPartly verifiedbeyerdynamicUntraced mined materials · ElectronicsHeadphones and microphonesPublishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.Lacks transparencyPartly verifiedHarris Farm MarketsUnchecked farms and labour hire · Supermarkets & grocersFresh food grocery storesPublishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.Lacks transparencyPartly verifiedHawestaUntraced fishing boats or farms · Fish & seafoodCanned herring, mackerel and tunaPublishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.Lacks transparencyPartly verifiedKartellNo living wage evidence · Homewares, furniture & appliancesDesigner plastic furniture and lightingPublishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.Lacks transparencyPartly verifiedmerciNo living wage evidence · Chocolate & cocoaBoxed assorted European chocolatesPublishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.Lacks transparencyPartly verifiedRunning BareFails an independent rating · Clothing & footwearWomen's activewear made in SydneyPublishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.Lacks transparencyPartly verifiedToffifeeNo living wage evidence · Chocolate & cocoaCaramel cups with hazelnut and chocolatePublishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.Lacks transparencyPartly verifiedAlexander McQueenNo living wage evidence · Clothing & footwearLuxury ready-to-wear, shoes, leather goodsPublishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.Lacks transparencyPartly verifiedArtekNo living wage evidence · Homewares, furniture & appliancesFinnish bentwood furniture and lightingPublishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.Lacks transparencyPartly verifiedSukinNo living wage evidence · Beauty & personal careNatural skincare and body carePublishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.Lacks transparencyPartly verified