Avon - The Company for Women - Corporate Responsibility

Avon is occasionally contacted by advocacy organizations around the world that have an interest in issues that touch upon our business or our philanthropic work. We do our best to respond in a timely manner, whether through corporate headquarters or management in the local country, or through the trade organization Personal Care Products Council for topics which are industry-wide. In some cases the contact is by email, mail or phone, and in other cases there are meetings with management. Some groups with which Avon or the Avon Foundation have engaged in dialogue include PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), Carbon Disclosure Project and Breast Cancer Action. While Avon and the Avon Foundation do not agree with all of the positions or ideas of advocacy groups, we are open to valid new ideas.

• People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): In 1989, Avon discontinued testing products on animals, becoming the first major cosmetics company to do so. In the intervening years, Avon has maintained contact with PETA on relevant topics, most recently the launch of the unique breast cancer program, Love/Avon Army of Women, which has the goal of registering one million women to participate in breast cancer research. PETA US awarded Army of Women their 2008 “Proggy Award,” and the organization is promoting the program to their membership as a new, unique way to advance medical research without animals. [link to press release]
• Carbon Disclosure Project: Avon has filed annual documentation with the London-based Carbon Disclosure Project five times, working with the CDP team to develop and submit the materials on Avon’s environmental impact in the area of our “carbon footprint.” The process is managed by the Director of Corporate Responsibility and the Avon environmental team. Recent reports filed for public disclosure can be accessed here.
• Breast Cancer Advocates: As leaders in the breast cancer cause, Avon and the Avon Foundation are committed to engaging with advocates committed to this issue. Since 2007, the Avon Foundation has held town hall meetings in the geographic regions of particular involvement, such as cities of the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer series, so the Foundation can be responsive to the needs of the community and region. Attendees include Representatives of local universities, hospitals, community-based groups, advocates, breast cancer survivors and members of the public, and the meetings include discussions of gaps or unmet needs in the community. In 2008, town halls took place in Chicago, Houston and Washington D.C. and in 2009 will take place in at least five cities. Attendees at past town halls included Representatives from many organizations, such as Breast Cancer Action in San Francisco, Network of Strength (formerly Y-Me) in Chicago and the Sisters Network in Houston.
• Breast Cancer Funders: In November 2007, the Avon Foundation and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health convened the first-ever meeting of the leading breast cancer funders—the Collaborative Summit on Breast Cancer Research—that included leadership and senior staff of twenty-seven breast cancer funding organizations and advocacy groups along with experts from government agencies, scientists from academic institutions and researchers from the pharmaceutical industry. The Summit, which was co-funded by the Avon Foundation and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, brought together those who raise and award funds with those who are on the edge of new discoveries, with the goal of discussing possible new collaborations and cooperation to end the burden of breast cancer. Click here to read more.