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LEGO Group

OVERALL

Owned
DNK
Rating
Criticisms

Toy manufacturer

Founded by the Kirk Kristiansen family in 1932. World's third largest toy company (after Mattel and Hasbro). The production of LEGO products takes place mainly in Denmark, Czech Republic, Hungary and Mexico. Their products are sold in more than 130 countries.

Company Ownership

LEGO Holding A/S   DNK     website         
  Kirkbi A/S   
   owns 75% of LEGO Holding A/S  
DNK     website   email      

Investment company

Kirkbi is the holding and investment company of the Kirk Kristiansen family, who founded and still owns the Lego brand, including Legoland theme parks and Discovery Centers. Other investment activities include investments in renewable energy, fixed income instruments, listed equities, private equity, real estate etc.

> About the Ratings

Company Assessment

PRAISE CRITICISM INFORMATION
LEGO Holding A/S
Social Workers rights in China
This 2018 investigative report by China Labour Watch reveals labor abuses in four Chinese toy factories. One or more of these factories supply this company. Labor abuses include low wages, excessive overtime, dangerous work environments and humiliating living conditions.
Source: China Labor Watch (2018)
Social Workers rights in China
A 2019 report by China Labour Watch conducted investigations into five Chinese toy factories, which manufacture for the largest toy companies in the world, including this one. Labor abuses include low wages, excessive overtime, dangerous working conditions, terrible living conditions and gender discrimination.
Source: China Labor Watch (2019)
Social Sponsorship deal with Shell
In July 2014 Greenpeace launched a campaign calling on Lego to end its sponsorship deal with Shell. Lego has sold 16 million Shell-branded toys at petrol stations in 26 countries in a deal worth $US116 million. A Greenpeace spokesman says "Shell is trying to hijack the magic of Lego ... It is using Lego to clean up its image and divert attention from its dangerous plans to raid the pristine Arctic for oil. And it's exploiting kids' love of their toys to build lifelong loyalty it doesn't deserve. It's time for Lego to finally pull the plug on this deal."
Source: Greenpeace (2014)
Social Blindingly Obvious Danger Award
Named in Consumers International's International Bad Product Awards 2008. Lego and Kellogg's came up with the idea of tapping into kids' love of Lego by releasing edible candy bricks made to look just like the real thing. It would seem they didn't realise that toddlers may mistake real Lego for their 'Fun Snacks'. It was discontinued soon afterwards (2008).
Source: Consumers International (2008)
Environment Climate action commitments
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target; commit to 100% renewable power.
Source: We Mean Business (2021)
Environment Cancelled contract with APP
In July 2011, Lego announced that they intend to not buy packaging from companies involved in deforestation, including Indonesian company Asia Pulp & Paper (APP), a group which Greenpeace claims is involved in widespread forest clearance in the region. In addition to this commitment, Lego outlined a three-step plan to reduce the impact of its packaging on forests: 1. Reduce total packaging 2. Maximize the use of recycled content 3. Ensure any remaining virgin fiber comes from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) sources
Source: Greenpeace (2011)
Social Mum-friendly employer
This company was named in the top 10 of 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)
Business Ethics Lego Foundation
The LEGO Foundation mission is to mobilize the world around the link between play and learning. "To solve our greatest challenges and to discover new possibilities we must inspire the world to recognize, appreciate and take action to support the transformative role of play."
Source: company website (2013)
Business Ethics 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 (2020)
Business Ethics UN Global Compact participant
The United Nations Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of 10 values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment, and anti-corruption. However it's non-binding nature has been widely criticised, and many signatory corporations continue to violate the Compact's values.
Source: UN Global Compact (2020)
Environment CDP Forests Score of C
In 2022, 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 (2022)
Environment CDP Climate Change Score of C
In 2022, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change Score of C.
Source: CDP (2022)
Social 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 (2018)
Social 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)
Kirkbi A/S
Environment Renewable energy
This company is investing in renewable energy to support the LEGO Group's goal to generate enough renewable energy capacity to meet 100% of its energy needs by 2020. They have entered a joint venture to construct wind turbines off the German coast.
Source: company website (2013)

> About the Icons

Company Details

Type Family-owned private company
Revenue 6.15 billion USD (2019)
Employees 18,800 (2019)
Subsidiaries LEGO Australia Pty Ltd 

Toy wholesalers

The production of LEGO products takes place mainly in Denmark, Czech Republic, Hungary and Mexico.

Contact Details

Address Billund, Denmark
Website www.lego.com

Products / Brands

LEGO Australia
Lego Construction


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