In the 1970s Avon approached FRAME to work together. The Avon ladies were reporting an increase in questions and concerns from customers about animal testing. This was a key area of work for FRAME as many animal lives were being used unnecessarily across the world in these tests.

The FRAME Lab conducted research and identified numerous non-animal method alternatives to the current tests. Further work succeeded in getting these methods validated and approved by the relevant bodies, such as ECVAM (European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods).

Avon, together with L’Oréal, Boots, Gillette, and others, gave generously to support the independent development of these non-animal methods. Many, including Avon, continue to give annual donations in support of our work researching new and innovative non-animal methods.

Where today our focus is on developing more complex human-based models for basic research, we still engage with policy discussion and maintain pressure on the government and regulatory bodies to update current legislation such as REACH and to ensure the 3Rs and available non-animal methods are being utilised appropriately.