JOIN DSA LOGIN Membership Consumer Protection Advocacy DSSRC Statistics & Insights Resources News & Events About Home> Consumer Protection> Code of Ethics Code of Ethics Code of Ethics Code Communications Initiative Code Review Process Filing A Code Complaint Consumer Protection Downloadables Association Guidelines DSA is committed to the highest ethical business standards for the direct selling channel and to the customers our member companies serve every day. Our Code of Ethics is a robust series of policies that every DSA member agrees to follow as condition of membership. It holds member companies accountable to policies that protect independent salespeople and consumers and encourages the entire marketplace for direct selling to meet these high standards. For example, the Code prohibits statements or promises that mislead consumers or prospective salespeople and sets stringent guidelines for earnings representations, product claims, sales and marketing tactics and policies for order cancellations and returns. DSA members have strengthened the Code since its enactment in 1970 to ensure it stays relevant with changing stakeholder expectations. Read DSA's Code of Ethics: English (December 2018) Spanish (February 2016) Code of Ethics Preamble A. Code of Conduct B. Responsibilities and Duties C. Administration D. DSA Code of Ethics Enforcement Procedures E. Powers of the Administrator F. Restrictions G. Resignation H. Amendments Our Code of Ethics protects consumers and independent salespeople with standards that ensure member companies are held accountable when it comes to claims about earnings, product and other important areas. Our member companies must provide their independent salespeople with accurate information about products and services, sales and marketing methods and compensation plans Our member companies and members of their independent salesforce must provide documentation for claims and representations when marketing products/services and the opportunity to become a direct seller Our members must honor the repurchase policy, requiring the company to purchase any unused inventory from independent salespeople within 12 months at 90 percent or more of the original cost Our member companies must provide adequate training to their independent salespeople on ethics, marketing practices and field interactions Our members must offer reasonable entry fees and costs and encourage salespeople to purchase reasonable levels of inventory Our Code of Ethics requires independent salespeople affiliated with DSA member companies to adhere to the Code’s guidelines and ensure a high level of professionalism, customer service and business ethics when interacting with consumers. Independent salespeople must respect a consumer’s wishes to discontinue a product demonstration or a sales interaction Independent salespeople must market income representations and product descriptions consistent with company directives and ethics training Independent salespeople must provide a receipt from the member company that permits the consumer to withdraw from a purchase order within a minimum of three days from the date of the purchase transaction and receive a full refund of the purchase price View DSA's Consumer Protection Resources One of the hallmarks of our Code of Ethics is that it is enforced by an independent administrator empowered by DSA members to resolve issues. The Code Administrator can impose a variety of remedies in the event of a Code violation including calling for refunds, ordering a mandatory repurchase of inventory or other measures as needed. When media reports or other sources make the Administrator aware of allegations that could be Code violations, the Administrator may conduct an investigation into the practices of our members and suggest how issues may be resolved. © 2021 Direct Selling Association. All Rights Reserved. This copyrighted content may not be disseminated or reproduced in any form without express written consent and without full attribution. A special thank you to DSA’s 2021 ENGAGE sponsors for their generous support En Espanol © 2021 Direct Selling Association | 1667 K Street, NW, Suite 1100, Washington DC 20006-1660 | Tel: 202.452.8866 | Fax: 202.452.9010