Breaching advertising codes

This company has been criticised for offensive advertising. In 2015 the Advertising Standards Bureau upheld complaints about a tv ad by this company on the grounds that it breached advertising codes. The ad was subsequently discontinued or modified.

Source: Advertising Standards Bureau (2015)

Recall of toys

Bad Company Awards 2007 - Mattel recalled over 21 million toys from around the world over a five-week period in 2007, due to design faults and the use of poisonous levels of lead paint. The recall included one toy that contained over 200 times the amount of lead permitted by US lawmakers.

Source: Consumers International (2007)

Workers Rights in China

This 2005 investigative report by China Labour Watch reveals how workers in Chinese toy factories endure work schedules that surpass the legal limit by at least 36.5 hours per week, pay rates as low as only 59 percent of the local minimum wage, unsanitary cafeterias, dorm rooms housing 22 people each, and employees forced to foot the entire cost of their work-injury insurance and, in some instances, lack of insurance of any kind. [Listed under information due to age of report]

Source: China Labor Watch (2005)

Workers rights in China

This 2013 investigative report by China Labour Watch reveals systemic labor violations in Chinese factories which supply Mattel, including wage theft, excessive overtime, low wages, hiring discrimination, hot and crowded dorms, fire hazards, worker health concerns, pollution and many more. [Listed under Information due to age of report]

Source: China Labor Watch (2013)

Workers rights in China

This 2014 report by China Labour Watch investigates four Chinese factories supplying some of the largest toy brand companies in the world, including this one. The report reveals many labour violations in these factories, including long hours, excessive overtime, dangerous working conditions, low wages, and underpaid workers. [Listed under Information due to age of report]

Source: China Labor Watch (2014)

Workers rights in China

This 2015 investigative report by China Labour Watch found that poor working conditions in Chinese toy factories continue. This company was among those implicated in the report. Labor abuses such as low wages and excessive overtime are still widespread, with very little improvement in working conditions over time. [Listed under Information due to age of report]

Source: China Labor Watch (2015)

15.0% in Newsweek Green Ranking 2017

This company received a score of 15/100 in the Newsweek Green Ranking 2017, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on eight indicators covering energy, greenhouse gases, water, waste, fines and penalties, linking executive pay to sustainability targets, board-level committee oversight of environmental issues and third-party audits. Ranking methodology by Corporate Knights and HIP Investor.

Source: Newsweek (2017)

Cancelled contract with APP

In Oct 2011 Mattel announced that it will stop buying paper and packaging linked to rainforest destruction following a global campaign by Greenpeace. One such company is the notorious Asia Pulp and Paper group (APP), which Greenpeace investigators have shown to be involved in widespread rainforest clearance in Indonesia.

Source: Greenpeace (2011)

Rainforest Alliance honouree

This company won a 2014 Sustainable Standard-Setter Award from the Rainforest Alliance, which recognizes businesses that are working diligently to meet rigorous sustainability standards, protect the environment, and support local communities worldwide. The award recognises Mattel's improvements in its paper and wood-fibre sourcing.

Source: Rainforest Alliance (2014)

Mum-friendly employer

This company was named in Seramount's 100 Best Companies 2022 for being a mum-friendly employer. Listed companies provide inclusive benefits for families, including paid gender-neutral parental leave, phase-back programs, bereavement leave after miscarriage, reimbursement for fertility expenses, and increased mental health benefits for employees.

Source: Seramount (2022)

Ellen MacArthur Foundation member

This company is a member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, whose stated mission is to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation works with business, government and academia to build a framework for an economy that is restorative and regenerative by design.

Source: Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2023)

How2Recycle member

This company is a member of How2Recycle. The How2Recycle Label is a voluntary, standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public. It involves a coalition of forward thinking brands who want their packaging to be recycled and are empowering consumers through smart packaging labels. Companies must be a member of the program to use the How2Recycle Label.

Source: How2Recycle (2023)

CDP Forests score of C

In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts towards removing commodity-driven deforestation and forest degradation from its direct operations and supply chains. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Forests score of C.

Source: CDP (2023)

ICTI Ethical Toy Program member

This company is a member of the ICTI Ethical Toy Program, the global standard for ethical toy manufacture. The Ethical Toy Program focuses on social sustainability issues which impact well-being of workers involved in toy manufacture globally. However human rights groups including SOMO and China Labor Watch have criticised the Program, with investigators finding serious labour rights violations occurring in ICTI-certified factories.

Source: ICTI Ethical Toy Program (2020)

Modern Slavery statement

California, the UK and Australia have all enacted legislation requiring companies operating within their borders to disclose their efforts to eradicate modern slavery from their operations and supply chains. Follow the link to see this company's disclosure statement.

Source: company website (2017)

OpenSecrets.org profile

OpenSecrets.org tracks the influence of money on U.S. politics, and how that money affects policy and citizens' lives. Follow link to see this company's record of political donations, lobbying, outside spending and more.

Source: Open Secrets (2020)