Citing risks of being labeled a pyramid scheme, Avon is parting ways with the trade association it helped found almost a century ago. Avon parted with a letter to other member companies expressing concern that the Direct Sellers

Association bylaws and guidelines might not be sufficient to protect consumers from fraud.

In it's letter, Avon also criticized the DSA's policies for being "overly focused on the issues of a few specific brands rather than industry-wide challenges".

The DSA leadership expressed disappointment in Avon's decision.

Established in 1886, and with worldwide sales of over $10 billion dollars last year, Avon is one of the oldest companies employing the direct-sales model.