This group-wide programme enables us to identify issues, manage risks and improve working conditions in our supply chains by collaborating with key subject matter stakeholders including BSR, and SEDEX, the responsible sourcing data sharing platform. Rather than just resolving any labour exploitation identified in Avon operations and supply chains, we aim to prevent all forms of exploitation and ensure that all workers enjoy decent working conditions. Avon recognises that modern slavery can take many different forms and is a growing global problem. Our initiatives to combat modern slavery and human trafficking practices from global supply chains are increasingly aligned across Natura &Co, strengthening our impact to tackle this complex human rights abuse. We have proudly stood for women’s empowerment since its founding, long before women’s rights were formally recognised, and we continue to drive this powerful mission in the respect of human rights and combatting Modern Slavery today. These mainstream modern slavery concerns in our employment, purchasing and sourcing practices are increasingly aligned across Natura &Co. Avon, as well as the wider Natura &Co group, seeks to respect human rights and address human rights violations within our supply chain and our own business operations. Since becoming part of Natura &Co (the cosmetic group comprising of The Body Shop, Avon, Aesop and Natura) in 2020, we’ve set ambitious targets in line with the Group’s sustainability vision Commitment to Life which sets out to tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues by 2030. One of the three key pillars within Commitment to Life is to defend Human Rights and to be Human-kind.
This is Natura &Co’s 2030 Sustainability Vision, which guides operations and value chains throughout our group. Each core value plays a vital role in how we do business, we believe in business should be a force for good. As a responsible business, we are committed to respecting human rights throughout our own business operations, our supply chains and in the local communities in which we operate. Our ethical standards are embedded in the business, with an emphasis on the personal responsibility of every associate to behave ethically and in compliance with the laws and expectations of the communities in which we operate. This group-wide policy is based on the same internationally recognised standards and frameworks as Commitment to Life, as well as the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Global Compact, and the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Base Code. The code outlines the high, global standards we expect of all direct suppliers and their own supply chains in relation to human rights and employment practices, prohibiting any form of modern slavery. This is Avon’s sixth statement published in accordance with the UK Modern Slavery Act (2015). It relates to the activities of Avon Products, Inc. and its applicable consolidated subsidiaries, including Avon Cosmetics Limited in the UK (collectively, ‘Avon’ or the ‘Company’ for the 12-month financial reporting period beginning 1st January 2021 and ending 31 st December 2021. Our 2020 Modern Slavery Statement can be found here.
We developed this statement and implementation plan by following the process recommended by the UN Guiding Principles. One of its three pillars is to defend human rights and be human-kind, reflecting the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the International Bill of Human Rights, the International Labour Organization (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Rights at Work and the ILO Declaration on Multinational Enterprises. These include pay equity and paying all employees globally at least a living wage by 2023, increasing senior-level representation of under-represented groups by 2025, and zero tolerance of any human rights infringements in our supply chains. In 2021, we made a significant step towards this by finalising a comprehensive group-wide human rights policy framework and creating a new directorship to lead this work. We are committed to tackling modern slavery by focusing on the delivery of SDG 8 – to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. We immediately work with our suppliers to resolve any non-compliance. It goes beyond legal compliance by committing our suppliers to positive actions such as responsible recruitment and paying living wages, not just avoiding poor practices. This year the Covid-19 pandemic continued to be a significant challenge, heightening some workers’ vulnerability to labour exploitation and hindering some of our risk assessment and due diligence practices. Th is art icle was do ne with G SA Conte nt Gen erator DEMO .
We recognise that the pandemic is continuing to worsen some drivers of modern slavery, such as poverty and restricted movement, making marginalised people more vulnerable to exploitation. Osorio, who worked at labels such as Salvatore Ferragamo and Roberto Cavalli before making his mark with Aquazzura, is synonymous with handmade celebrity-beloved shoes. “My mother was an interior designer, and my father worked in real estate and construction, and that very much influenced my life,” he explains, noting how much of his free time is spent visiting art fairs and flea markets and perusing auction catalogs. As with other brands and retailers, Avon’s supply chain is complex and we face challenges when dealing with changing economic, political and environmental landscapes. At the heart of Avon’s business is a five million strong network of beauty advisors, our independent Avon Representatives, operating in 54 countries. Avon is a global manufacturer and retailer operating in 68 countries, serving 5 million active independent Representatives serving 100 million customers. It is important to take the country and customers into account.