SUPPLIER
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Stated attributes
Publicly stated commitments — not necessarily independently verified.
Fairphone
Consumer ElectronicsHeadquartered in Netherlands
Fairphone is a social enterprise founded in the Netherlands that manufactures modular, repairable smartphones with significant transparency around labor and environmental practices. The company has implemented a pioneering living wage bonus program that guarantees assembly workers 100% living wage, having distributed over $1 million in bonuses across its supply chain. Environmentally, Fairphone achieved a 48% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2022, dramatically exceeding its targets, and maintains 100% e-waste neutrality by collecting equivalent waste for every device sold. The company's 69.5% fair and recycled materials composition and perfect 10/10 repairability score on iFixit reflect its commitment to device longevity.
- B Corp ↗
- Fair Trade Certified ↗
- Fair Trade
- Renewable energy
- Net-zero target
- Sustainable packaging
- Waste reduction
- No forced labor
- No child labor
- Supplier code of conduct
- DEI policy
How Fairphone scores
Three pillars, scored independently. Higher is better.
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Environmental87.5Likely excellent
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Labor96.9Likely excellent
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Compliance85.3Likely excellent
What Fairphone does well
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B Corp Certification
Fairphone achieved B Corp certification in 2015, demonstrating third-party verification of social and environmental performance standards. The company has maintained and renewed this certification, undergoing regular reassessment.
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Modular design and repairability commitment
Fairphone designs phones with user-replaceable components and publishes detailed repair guides and spare parts availability. The company has achieved high repairability scores from independent assessments (iFixit rated Fairphone 4 at 10/10 for repairability) and commits to providing spare parts for extended product lifespans.
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Supply chain transparency and named suppliers
Fairphone publishes detailed annual impact reports naming specific manufacturing partners, component suppliers, and mining sources. The company conducts regular third-party audits of labor and environmental conditions at supplier facilities and reports findings publicly.
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Fair Cobalt Alliance membership
Fairphone joined the Fair Cobalt Alliance in 2019 to improve responsible cobalt sourcing and traceability in artisanal and small-scale mining contexts. The company participates in due diligence and remediation efforts in cobalt-producing regions.
Controversies
Reported issues Leif found in public sources. Their presence lowers the rating.
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Cobalt sourcing and conflict minerals concerns
In 2016–2017, Fairphone faced scrutiny over cobalt sourcing from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a region associated with artisanal mining and labor concerns. The company published a response detailing its due diligence efforts but acknowledged the difficulty of fully tracing cobalt to conflict-free sources.
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Supply chain labor audit findings
Fairphone's 2019 and 2020 impact reports documented labor violations at supplier facilities, including excessive working hours and wage issues at manufacturing partners in China. The company reported implementing corrective action plans but noted slow progress in some areas.
The detail
Environment
Fairphone publishes annual impact reports detailing environmental metrics including carbon footprint, energy use, and material sourcing. The company has committed to carbon neutrality in its own operations and reports using renewable energy for manufacturing partners. Fairphone emphasizes product longevity and repairability as core environmental strategies, with modular design intended to extend device lifespan and reduce e-waste. The company discloses packaging materials and has transitioned to recycled and recyclable packaging. However, comprehensive Scope 3 emissions data and detailed supply chain environmental audits are not fully transparent in publicly available reports.
Labor
Fairphone publishes detailed supply chain transparency reports naming specific manufacturing and component suppliers, and conducts regular audits of labor conditions at partner facilities. The company has established a Code of Conduct for suppliers covering wages, working hours, health and safety, and freedom of association. Fairphone reports on worker grievance mechanisms and has documented efforts to improve wages above legal minimums in manufacturing locations including China and India. The company acknowledges ongoing challenges in achieving living wages across all tiers of its supply chain and reports on remediation efforts. Limited independent third-party verification of labor claims is publicly available.
Fairphone products on Amazon
13 products from Fairphone, sold on Amazon (US). Leif earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Leif's rating reflects an independent sustainability assessment of the brand — drawing on
disclosures, third-party certifications, and public information on its practices — not customer reviews.
Ratings are directional, not precise scores.
Read how we rate.
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