Animal testing worries spark social media ban

Wednesday 15 March 2017

Independent make-up sales representatives have hit out against “censorship” after they were banned from trading on one of Jersey’s largest social media community platforms over animal testing concerns.

Two Facebook groups - with over 8,000 members between them - clamped down on Avon make-up sellers after the JSPCA asked islanders not to support products tested on animals.

While Avon does not conduct animal-based experiments in order to substantiate the safety of its own products, some markets in which it trades – China, for example – demand additional animal testing of certain cosmetic products before they can be sold.

The 'Flog It Jersey' Facebook group, which has over 1,000 members, was the first to prohibit the products. 'Ask Advise Advertise' - one of Jersey's largest online communities with over 7,000 members - followed shortly after.

Samantha Morrison, administrator of the Ask Advise Advertise group, told Express: “This is a moral decision. The key fact remains that whilst the business claims to be cruelty free, there are still Avon products being tested on animals in China."

Avon’s independent sales representatives have since slammed the ban for being, “annoying and censorship”.

Fiona Phillips, a sales representative, commented: “If you are a Representative, Organiser, Distributor or Sales Consultant then you should be able to advertise yourselves on these sites even if what you are selling doesn’t fit in with the ethics of the administrators of the site or what some of the users think.”

Mrs Philips, who decided to work from home to fit her childcare commitments, added that the ban unfairly discriminated against those who work from home, noting that many Facebook groups also do not support user-generated advertisements about other network marketing companies.

Alongside Avon, these companies rely on network marketing for sales - trading that happens through community engagement online and offline, rather than through a fixed store premises. For many, it’s seen as an alternative to a part-time job or zero-hours contract, allowing them flexibility which can fit around child-care commitments.

“By banning (Avon), these people are stating that it's not right to work from home and especially if you have children, you should go back to work, and it's ok to farm out your children to others to look after… By banning direct selling companies, they are denying individuals the right to better themselves financially or for people to earn an extra income if they so wish,” she said.

HOTP - #sneekpeek of our upcoming Skin So Soft packaging. Head over to Avon Beauty Connects to find out more: https://t.co/hnlqcr7Mr3 pic.twitter.com/51AyAU2HQ2

— Avon Cosmetics (@Avon_UK) February 8, 2017

But Mrs Morrison maintained that users had mostly supported the move: “Within the group I am aware we have Avon Reps and supporters who disagree with my decision, but since the ban came into force, the general feedback I have received has been of a positive nature.

“At the end of the day I hope members will respect my decision even if they don't personally agree with it.”