Supportive Government / Non-Profit Organizations

Better Business Bureaus list and rate complaints filed against business in your area. For more information on the BBB or to find the bureau nearest you, visit www.bbb.org.

The Direct Selling Association is the national trade association of the leading firms that manufacture and distribute goods and services sold directly to consumers. The Association’s mission is “To protect, serve and promote the effectiveness of member companies and the independent business people they represent. To ensure that the marketing by member companies of products and/or the direct sales opportunity is conducted with the highest level of business ethics and service to consumers.”

The cornerstone of the Association’s commitment to ethical business practices and consumer service is its Code of Ethics. Every member company pledges to abide by the Code’s standards and procedures as a condition of admission and continuing membership in the Association. For more information on DSA, visit www.dsa.org.

The Direct Selling Education Foundation serves the public as the direct selling industry’s goodwill ambassador. Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the international non-profit organization offers unique and comprehensive programs on contemporary issues of importance to business executives, consumer advocates, academics, students, public policy officials, and members of the small business and entrepreneurship community here in the United States and abroad.

DSEF programs address contemporary topics such as ethical business practices, consumer protection and education, technology and e-commerce, sales and selling practices, women’s health, marketing and entrepreneurship, and the opportunities and challenges of globalization. Thousands of industry and community thought leaders from diverse backgrounds and organizations have come together at DSEF sponsored programs to learn, grow and create a vital and healthy business climate.

DSEF sponsors consumer protection and education initiatives of importance to the consumer movement attended by consumer advocates, federal, state, county, and city legislators, attorneys general, district attorneys, educators, and representatives of the media. DSEF also sponsors academic program for university professors, business educators and students.

The Federal Trade Commission deals with issues that touch the economic life of every American. It is the only federal agency with both consumer protection and competition jurisdiction in broad sectors of the economy. The FTC pursues vigorous and effective law enforcement; advances consumers’ interests by sharing its expertise with federal and state legislatures and U.S. and international government agencies; develops policy and research tools through hearings, workshops, and conferences; and creates practical and plain-language educational programs for consumers and businesses in a global marketplace with constantly changing technologies. For more information on the FTC, visit www.ftc.gov.

The National Consumers League is a private, nonprofit advocacy group representing consumers on marketplace and workplace issues. NCL is the nation’s oldest consumer organization. The organization provides government, businesses, and other organizations with the consumer’s perspective on concerns including child labor, privacy, food safety, and medication information.

The World Federation of Direct Selling Associations is a non-governmental, voluntary organization globally representing the direct selling industry as a federation of national Direct Selling Associations.

The WFDSA mission is to build understanding and support for direct selling worldwide. The association supports direct selling companies and associations by:

• Developing, maintaining and promoting the highest global standards for responsible and ethical conduct.
• Advocating the industry’s positions and interest with governments, media and key influencers.
• Serving as a trusted global resource for information on direct selling.
• Facilitating interaction among direct selling executives on issues of importance to the industry.