Contingencies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Contingencies Abstract
Contingencies	Contingencies In 2002, our Brazilian subsidiary received an excise tax assessment from the Brazilian tax authorities for alleged tax deficiencies during the years 1997-1998 asserting that the establishment in 1995 of separate manufacturing and distribution companies in that country was done without a valid business purpose and that Avon Brazil did not observe minimum pricing rules to define the taxable basis of excise tax. The structure adopted in 1995 is comparable to that used by many other companies in Brazil. We believe that our Brazilian corporate structure is appropriate, both operationally and legally, and that the 2002 assessment is unfounded. This matter is being vigorously contested and in the opinion of our outside counsel, the likelihood that the assessment ultimately will be upheld is remote. Management believes that the likelihood that the assessment will have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows is correspondingly remote. Other similar excise tax assessments involving different periods have been canceled and officially closed in our favor by the second administrative level. In October 2010, the 2002 assessment was upheld at the first administrative level at an amount reduced to $34 from $80, including penalties and accruing interest, at the exchange rate on December 31, 2011. We have appealed this decision to the second administrative level. In the event that the 2002 assessment is upheld at the third and last administrative level, it may be necessary for us to provide security to pursue further appeals, which, depending on the circumstances, may result in a charge to income. It is not possible to make an estimate of the amount or range of loss that it is reasonably possible that we could incur from an unfavorable outcome in respect of this and any additional assessments that may be issued for subsequent periods. As previously reported, we have engaged outside counsel to conduct an internal investigation and compliance reviews focused on compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) and related U.S. and foreign laws in China and additional countries. The internal investigation, which is being conducted under the oversight of our Audit Committee, began in June 2008. As we reported in October 2008, we voluntarily contacted the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the United States Department of Justice to advise both agencies of our internal investigation. We are continuing to cooperate with both agencies and inquiries by them, including but not limited to, signing tolling agreements, translating and producing documents and assisting with interviews. As previously reported in July 2009, in connection with the internal investigation, we commenced compliance reviews regarding the FCPA and related U.S. and foreign laws in additional countries in order to evaluate our compliance efforts. We are conducting these compliance reviews in a number of other countries selected to represent each of the Company's international geographic segments. The internal investigation and compliance reviews are focused on reviewing certain expenses and books and records processes, including, but not limited to, travel, entertainment, gifts, use of third party vendors and consultants and related due diligence, joint ventures and acquisitions, and payments to third-party agents and others, in connection with our business dealings, directly or indirectly, with foreign governments and their employees. The internal investigation and compliance reviews of these matters are ongoing, and we continue to cooperate with both agencies with respect to these matters. In connection with the internal investigation and compliance reviews, we continue to enhance our ethics and compliance program, including our policies and procedures, FCPA compliance-related training, FCPA third party due diligence program and other compliance-related resources. On October 26, 2011, the Company received a subpoena from the SEC requesting documents and information in connection with a Regulation FD investigation of the Company's contacts and communications with certain financial analysts and other representatives of the financial community during 2010 and 2011. The Company was also advised that a formal order of investigation was issued by the SEC relating to the FCPA matters described above and the Regulation FD matters that are referenced in the subpoena. The Company intends to cooperate fully with the SEC's investigation. We also have commenced an internal investigation, which is being conducted by outside counsel under the oversight of our Audit Committee, in connection with the Regulation FD matters. In connection with the ongoing internal investigations and compliance reviews described above, certain personnel actions have been taken and additional personnel actions may be taken in the future. At this point we are unable to predict the duration, scope, developments in, results of, or consequences of the internal investigations and compliance reviews and government's investigation. In light of the fact that, among other things, the internal investigations and compliance reviews are ongoing, we are unable to make an estimate of the amount or range of loss that it is reasonably possible that we could incur from an unfavorable outcome. Beginning in July and August 2010, several derivative actions were filed against certain present or former officers and/or directors of the Company. Two of these actions were filed in state court (Carol J. Parker, derivatively on behalf of Avon Products, Inc. v. W. Don Cornwell, et al. and Avon Products, Inc. as nominal defendant (filed in the New York Supreme Court, Nassau County, Index No. 600570/2010) and Lynne Schwartz, derivatively on behalf of Avon Products, Inc. v. Andrea Jung et al. and Avon Products, Inc. as nominal defendant (filed in the New York Supreme Court, New York County, Index No. 651304/2010)). These actions allege breach of fiduciary duty, abuse of control, waste of corporate assets, and, in one complaint, unjust enrichment, relating to the Company's compliance with the FCPA, including the adequacy of the Company's internal controls. The relief sought in one or both of these derivative complaints includes certain declaratory and equitable relief, restitution, damages, exemplary damages and interest. We are unable to predict the outcome of these matters. Three federal court derivative actions were also filed and then consolidated (Murray C. White, derivatively on behalf of Avon Products, Inc. v. Andrea Jung, et al. and Avon Products, Inc. as nominal defendant (filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, 10-CV-5560); County of York Employees Retirement Plan, derivatively on behalf of Avon Products, Inc. v. W. Don Cornwell, et al. and Avon Products, Inc. as nominal defendant (originally filed in the New York Supreme Court, New York County, Index No. 651065/2010 and refiled in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, 10-CIV-5933); and IBEW Local 1919 Pension Fund, derivatively on behalf of Avon Products, Inc. v. W. Don Cornwell, et al. and Avon Products, Inc. as nominal defendant (filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, 10-CIV-6256)). The amended consolidated shareholder derivative complaint alleged breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment and proxy disclosure violations (and sought rescission of compensation on account of such proxy violations), relating to the Company's compliance with the FCPA, including the adequacy of the Company's internal controls. The relief sought included certain declaratory and equitable relief, restitution and damages (including rescission). On February 14, 2012, on motion of plaintiffs, the court dismissed these claims without prejudice. On July 6, 2011, a purported shareholder's class action complaint (City of Brockton Retirement System v. Avon Products, Inc., et al., No. 11-CIV-4665) was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against certain present or former officers and/or directors of the Company. The complaint is brought on behalf of a purported class consisting of all persons or entities who either (1) were Avon shareholders as of the close of business on March 17, 2011, March 17, 2010, March 18, 2009, March 14, 2008, or March 15, 2007 and therefore were eligible to vote proxies or (2) purchased or otherwise acquired shares of Avon's common stock from July 31, 2006 through and including May 24, 2011. The complaint asserts violations of Sections 10(b), 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 based on allegedly false or misleading statements and omissions with respect to, among other things, the Company's compliance with the FCPA, including the adequacy of the Company's internal controls. On September 29, 2011, the Court appointed LBBW Asset Management Investmentgesellschaft mbH and SGSS Deutschland Kapitalanlagegesellschaft mbH as lead plaintiffs and Motley Rice LLC as lead counsel. Pursuant to a stipulated scheduling order, lead plaintiffs are to file an amended complaint no later than March 16, 2012, and a schedule has been set for defendants to answer, move to dismiss or otherwise respond. In light of, among other things, the early stage of the litigation, we are unable to predict the outcome of this matter and are unable to make an estimate of the amount or range of loss that it is reasonably possible that we could incur from an unfavorable outcome. With respect to the above-described internal investigations, compliance reviews, government's investigation and the derivative and class action matters, under some circumstances, adverse outcomes could be material to our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Various other lawsuits and claims, arising in the ordinary course of business or related to businesses previously sold, are pending or threatened against Avon. In management's opinion, based on its review of the information available at this time, the total cost of resolving such other contingencies at December 31, 2011, should not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Contingencies

In 2002, our Brazilian subsidiary received an excise tax assessment from the Brazilian tax authorities for alleged tax deficiencies during the years 1997-1998 asserting that the establishment in 1995 of separate manufacturing and distribution companies in that country was done without a valid business purpose and that Avon Brazil did not observe minimum pricing rules to define the taxable basis of excise tax. The structure adopted in 1995 is comparable to that used by many other companies in Brazil. We believe that our Brazilian corporate structure is appropriate, both operationally and legally, and that the 2002 assessment is unfounded. This matter is being vigorously contested and in the opinion of our outside counsel, the likelihood that the assessment ultimately will be upheld is remote. Management believes that the likelihood that the assessment will have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows is correspondingly remote. Other similar excise tax assessments involving different periods have been canceled and officially closed in our favor by the second administrative level.

In October 2010, the 2002 assessment was upheld at the first administrative level at an amount reduced to $34 from $80, including penalties and accruing interest, at the exchange rate on December 31, 2011. We have appealed this decision to the second administrative level. In the event that the 2002 assessment is upheld at the third and last administrative level, it may be necessary for us to provide security to pursue further appeals, which, depending on the circumstances, may result in a charge to income. It is not possible to make an estimate of the amount or range of loss that it is reasonably possible that we could incur from an unfavorable outcome in respect of this and any additional assessments that may be issued for subsequent periods.

As previously reported, we have engaged outside counsel to conduct an internal investigation and compliance reviews focused on compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) and related U.S. and foreign laws in China and additional countries. The internal investigation, which is being conducted under the oversight of our Audit Committee, began in June 2008. As we reported in October 2008, we voluntarily contacted the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the United States Department of Justice to advise both agencies of our internal investigation. We are continuing to cooperate with both agencies and inquiries by them, including but not limited to, signing tolling agreements, translating and producing documents and assisting with interviews.

As previously reported in July 2009, in connection with the internal investigation, we commenced compliance reviews regarding the FCPA and related U.S. and foreign laws in additional countries in order to evaluate our compliance efforts. We are conducting these compliance reviews in a number of other countries selected to represent each of the Company's international geographic segments. The internal investigation and compliance reviews are focused on reviewing certain expenses and books and records processes, including, but not limited to, travel, entertainment, gifts, use of third party vendors and consultants and related due diligence, joint ventures and acquisitions, and payments to third-party agents and others, in connection with our business dealings, directly or indirectly, with foreign governments and their employees. The internal investigation and compliance reviews of these matters are ongoing, and we continue to cooperate with both agencies with respect to these matters. In connection with the internal investigation and compliance reviews, we continue to enhance our ethics and compliance program, including our policies and procedures, FCPA compliance-related training, FCPA third party due diligence program and other compliance-related resources.

On October 26, 2011, the Company received a subpoena from the SEC requesting documents and information in connection with a Regulation FD investigation of the Company's contacts and communications with certain financial analysts and other representatives of the financial community during 2010 and 2011. The Company was also advised that a formal order of investigation was issued by the SEC relating to the FCPA matters described above and the Regulation FD matters that are referenced in the subpoena. The Company intends to cooperate fully with the SEC's investigation. We also have commenced an internal investigation, which is being conducted by outside counsel under the oversight of our Audit Committee, in connection with the Regulation FD matters.

In connection with the ongoing internal investigations and compliance reviews described above, certain personnel actions have been taken and additional personnel actions may be taken in the future. At this point we are unable to predict the duration, scope, developments in, results of, or consequences of the internal investigations and compliance reviews and government's investigation. In light of the fact that, among other things, the internal investigations and compliance reviews are ongoing, we are unable to make an estimate of the amount or range of loss that it is reasonably possible that we could incur from an unfavorable outcome.

Beginning in July and August 2010, several derivative actions were filed against certain present or former officers and/or directors of the Company. Two of these actions were filed in state court (Carol J. Parker, derivatively on behalf of Avon Products, Inc. v. W. Don Cornwell, et al. and Avon Products, Inc. as nominal defendant (filed in the New York Supreme Court, Nassau County, Index No. 600570/2010) and Lynne Schwartz, derivatively on behalf of Avon Products, Inc. v. Andrea Jung et al. and Avon Products, Inc. as nominal defendant (filed in the New York Supreme Court, New York County, Index No. 651304/2010)). These actions allege breach of fiduciary duty, abuse of control, waste of corporate assets, and, in one complaint, unjust enrichment, relating to the Company's compliance with the FCPA, including the adequacy of the Company's internal controls. The relief sought in one or both of these derivative complaints includes certain declaratory and equitable relief, restitution, damages, exemplary damages and interest. We are unable to predict the outcome of these matters. Three federal court derivative actions were also filed and then consolidated (Murray C. White, derivatively on behalf of Avon Products, Inc. v. Andrea Jung, et al. and Avon Products, Inc. as nominal defendant (filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, 10-CV-5560); County of York Employees Retirement Plan, derivatively on behalf of Avon Products, Inc. v. W. Don Cornwell, et al. and Avon Products, Inc. as nominal defendant (originally filed in the New York Supreme Court, New York County, Index No. 651065/2010 and refiled in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, 10-CIV-5933); and IBEW Local 1919 Pension Fund, derivatively on behalf of Avon Products, Inc. v. W. Don Cornwell, et al. and Avon Products, Inc. as nominal defendant (filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, 10-CIV-6256)). The amended consolidated shareholder derivative complaint alleged breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment and proxy disclosure violations (and sought rescission of compensation on account of such proxy violations), relating to the Company's compliance with the FCPA, including the adequacy of the Company's internal controls. The relief sought included certain declaratory and equitable relief, restitution and damages (including rescission). On February 14, 2012, on motion of plaintiffs, the court dismissed these claims without prejudice.

On July 6, 2011, a purported shareholder's class action complaint (City of Brockton Retirement System v. Avon Products, Inc., et al., No. 11-CIV-4665) was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against certain present or former officers and/or directors of the Company. The complaint is brought on behalf of a purported class consisting of all persons or entities who either (1) were Avon shareholders as of the close of business on March 17, 2011, March 17, 2010, March 18, 2009, March 14, 2008, or March 15, 2007 and therefore were eligible to vote proxies or (2) purchased or otherwise acquired shares of Avon's common stock from July 31, 2006 through and including May 24, 2011. The complaint asserts violations of Sections 10(b), 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 based on allegedly false or misleading statements and omissions with respect to, among other things, the Company's compliance with the FCPA, including the adequacy of the Company's internal controls. On September 29, 2011, the Court appointed LBBW Asset Management Investmentgesellschaft mbH and SGSS Deutschland Kapitalanlagegesellschaft mbH as lead plaintiffs and Motley Rice LLC as lead counsel. Pursuant to a stipulated scheduling order, lead plaintiffs are to file an amended complaint no later than March 16, 2012, and a schedule has been set for defendants to answer, move to dismiss or otherwise respond. In light of, among other

things, the early stage of the litigation, we are unable to predict the outcome of this matter and are unable to make an estimate of the amount or range of loss that it is reasonably possible that we could incur from an unfavorable outcome.

With respect to the above-described internal investigations, compliance reviews, government's investigation and the derivative and class action matters, under some circumstances, adverse outcomes could be material to our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Various other lawsuits and claims, arising in the ordinary course of business or related to businesses previously sold, are pending or threatened against Avon. In management's opinion, based on its review of the information available at this time, the total cost of resolving such other contingencies at December 31, 2011, should not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.