Is Ten Thousand Villages ethical and cruelty-free?
Yes — Ten Thousand Villages scores 95.4/100 on EthiCompare, one of the stronger ratings in our database, with 3 of 4 ethics signals verified.
Ten Thousand Villages is a pioneer in the global fair trade movement, operating as a non-profit social enterprise that connects artisans from developing countries with North American markets through long-term, sustainable partnerships. The brand focuses on economic empowerment, environmental stewardship, and preserving traditional craftsmanship while maintaining high transparency across its supply chain.
The evidence, signal by signal
Cruelty-freeunverified
Does not conduct animal testing; carries no cosmetics or personal care products requiring such tests.
Vegan optionsverified
Large selection of vegan-friendly goods including recycled cotton, jute, and olive wood products.
Sells in mainland Chinaverified
The brand does not sell through channels that require mainland China post-market testing.
Third-party certifiedverified
We record 4 distinct certifications across this brand's products.
Public pledges: Committed to using recycled, upcycled, and locally sourced materials with a focus on low-impact production.
Scored with our public methodology. Profile last updated 2026-07-18.
Ten Thousand Villages products we score
Exquisite, handcrafted serving utensils made by artisans in Kenya. Each set supports fair wages and preserves traditional woodworking techniques using sustainably harvested olive wood.
Handcrafted terracotta stakes that upcycle old wine bottles into efficient irrigation systems, supporting artisan communities in Bangladesh through fair trade practices.
An artisanal serving board handcrafted from sustainably sourced teak by makers in Indonesia, providing vital income for rural communities.
A stunning, artisanal journal handcrafted by makers in India using 100% tree-free recycled cotton paper and traditional block-printing techniques.
Exquisite, handcrafted kitchen tools made from sustainably sourced Neem wood, supporting artisan livelihoods in rural India.
Is Ten Thousand Villages ethical? FAQs
Is Ten Thousand Villages cruelty-free?+
Does not conduct animal testing; carries no cosmetics or personal care products requiring such tests.
Does Ten Thousand Villages have vegan products?+
Large selection of vegan-friendly goods including recycled cotton, jute, and olive wood products.
Does Ten Thousand Villages sell in mainland China?+
The brand does not sell through channels that require mainland China post-market testing.
What is Ten Thousand Villages's ethics score?+
Ten Thousand Villages averages 95.4/100 across 5 products we score on certifications, sourcing, labour, packaging and transparency.
What are the best alternatives to Ten Thousand Villages?+
See our full list of ethical alternatives to Ten Thousand Villages for better-scoring options in the same categories.