The Avon Company
Beauty products
North America's largest direct selling beauty company. In 2016 Avon spun off its North American unit to create New Avon, which was acquired by LG in 2019. Renamed The Avon Company in Jan 2021.

Overall

Owned KOR
Rating C
About the Ratings

Company Ownership

The Avon Company
USA
LG Household & Health Care Ltd
owns 100% of The Avon Company
KOR
Consumer goods
Cosmetics, household goods, and beverages business. Founded in Korea in 1947.
LG Corporation
owns 100% of LG Household & Health Care Ltd
KOR
Chemicals, electronics and telecommunications
South Korea's fourth largest conglomerate.

Company Assessment

(Last updated Mar 2024)
The Avon Company
Information
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.
LG Household & Health Care Ltd
Praise
CDP Climate Change score of A-
In 2023, 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 A-.
Source: CDP (2023)
83/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 83/100 in the Personal Products category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 18 Nov 2022). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
CDP Water Security score of B
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security score of B.
Source: CDP (2023)
53/100 in TIME rankings
World's Most Sustainable Companies of 2024 by TIME and Statista recognises the Top 500 most sustainable companies in the world. From a selection of 5,000 of the world's largest companies, non-sustainable businesses were excluded, and the remaining companies were rated on Commitment & Ratings, Reporting & Transparency, and Environmental & Social Stewardship. This company received a total score of 53.3/100, ranking 493rd overall.
Source: TIME (2024)
Criticism
Animal Testing
This company's The History of Whoo brand appears on PETA's (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, USA) 'Companies That Do Test On Animals' list, signifying that they manufacture products that are tested on animals at some stage of development.
Source: PETA (2022)
Palm oil rating - WAZA
The PalmOil Scan app, produced by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), rates companies on their commitment to sourcing sustainable palm oil. Companies are scored on their use of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO), commitment to sourcing CSPO, on-the-ground conservation action, and membership to the RSPO. Companies can earn a rating of Excellent, Good, Poor or No Commitment. This company is rated "Poor" (retrieved 18 Nov 2023).
Source: WAZA (2023)
Information
Fined for cheating stores
In 2021 this company was fined US$262,400 by the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) for abusing its power over franchise branches of The Face Shop by failing to keep commitments about discount events.
Sustainability claims
This company has sustainability claims on its website under the headings of sustainable products; environment and safety management; and social contribution.
Palm oil scorecard - WWF
The 2024 WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard evaluates the progress and performance of 285 major retailers and manufacturer companies, focusing on actions companies have taken to ensure their own palm oil supply chain is sustainable and free of deforestation, natural ecosystem conversion, and human rights abuse. This company is rated 'middle of the pack' with a score of 12.5 out of a possible total of 24.
LG Corporation
Praise
CDP Climate Change score of A-
In 2023, 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 A-.
Source: CDP (2023)
84/100 in Solar Scorecard
The 2018-19 Solar Scorecard, produced by the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, rates solar panel producers on their commitment to the environment and worker safety. Areas looked at include emissions reporting, chemical reductions plan, workers rights and conflict minerals. This company received a score of 84/100.
Criticism
Forced labour in China
The Chinese government has facilitated the mass transfer of Uyghur and other ethnic minority citizens from the far west region of Xinjiang to factories across the country. Under conditions that strongly suggest forced labour, Uyghurs are working in factories that are in the supply chains of at least 83 well-known global brands in the technology, clothing and automotive sectors, including brands owned by this company. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute's 2020 report estimates (somewhat conservatively) that more than 80,000 Uyghurs were transferred out of Xinjiang to work in factories across China between 2017 and 2019, and some of them were sent directly from detention camps.
Source: ASPI (2020)
Information
Involvement in Rapu-Rapu mine
This company group is under a boycott call for their involvement in a controversial mining project in Rapu-Rapu, Philippines. Local residents face ecological disasters & their effects: health problems, loss of land & livelihood, and an uncertain future. LG owns 42% of the mine.
Workers rights in China
This company is a client of Biel Crystal, supplier of 60% of the world's touchscreen cover glasses. This SACOM 2013 investigative report discovered serious labour rights abuses in Biel Crystal's Chinese factories including excessive working hours, military-style management, worker suicides and blank work contracts. Moreover, Biel Crystal's Shenzhen factory has been fined by the Shenzhen municipal government for 3 continuous years of polluting the environment. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Sustainable Brands member
This company is a Bronze Member of the Sustainable Brands Network, the leading peer to peer, learning and networking group designed to support brands in meeting their sustainability goals and ultimately become those leaders of the next sustainable economy.
Microbeads scorecard
In 2016 Greenpeace East Asia ranked the world's 30 biggest personal care companies on their commitment to eliminating microbeads from their personal care products. The scorecard was based on four main criteria: commitment & transparency, definition, deadline and global application. This company was ranked as 'getting there'. Microbeads are not retained by wastewater treatment and end up in the ocean where they are a threat to the marine environment.
50/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 50/100 in the Industrial Conglomerates category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 18 Nov 2022). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Corporate Rap Sheet
The Corporate Research Project's Corporate Rap Sheets are dossiers summarising the most significant crimes, violations and other questionable activities of the world's largest and most controversial companies. Follow link to see this company's Corporate Rap Sheet.
> About the Icons

Company Details

Type:
Wholly-owned subsidiary
Revenue:
1 billion USD (2015)

Contact Details

Address:
New York, New York, USA
Website:
www.avon.com

Products / Brands