Direct Selling Self-Regulation Council

Direct Selling
Self-Regulatory Council

The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) provides impartial monitoring, enforcement, and dispute resolution regarding product claims or income representations (including lifestyle claims) disseminated by direct selling companies and their sales force members. This program provides a robust challenge process that also includes the opportunity for a company to appeal a decision.

Program Impact

DSSRC was established in 2019 to proactively monitor the marketplace and enforce program standards to promote truth and transparency in the growing direct-selling industry, including on social media platforms. 

 

 

A Proven Model

The DSSRC process relies on best practices developed over decades of work in other successful self-regulatory programs administered by BBB National Programs.

Fast & Efficient

This program offers companies in the direct-selling industry a fast and efficient forum for review of express or implied claims about earnings and product performance.

Consumer Confidence

By discouraging advertising and marketing that contains unsubstantiated claims, this form of industry self-regulation enhances consumer confidence in the direct-selling industry.

Policies & Procedures

 

 

Any company, consumer, or non-governmental organization can submit a DSSRC inquiry against a direct-selling company or part of their salesforce. 

DSSRC will independently review any submitted inquiry to ensure that the matter is appropriate for review and a proper expenditure of program resources. Once they are final, all case decisions are available to the public.  

 

Activity Reports

 

 

DSSRC Response to FTC Advisory Opinion Letter

 

 

 

 

News & Blog

Decision

Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council Recommends Valentus Discontinue Earnings and Product Performance Claims

McLean, VA – December 23, 2024 – The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) recommended Valentus, a direct selling company that sells nutritional and lifestyle products, discontinue earnings and health-related product performance claims made on social media and on the Valentus website.

Read the Decision Summary
Decision

Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council Refers Olive Tree Earnings Claims to the FTC and California AG for Possible Enforcement Action

McLean, VA – December 20, 2024 – The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) referred Olive Tree to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and California Attorney General's Office for possible enforcement action after Olive Tree failed to respond to a DSSRC inquiry into earnings claims.  

Read the Decision Summary
Press Release

U.S.-Based BBB National Programs Announced as Winner for “Best Sectoral Initiative” by International Council of Advertising Self-Regulation

On 15 June 2021, the International Council for Advertising Self-Regulation (ICAS) announced the winners of its second edition of the ICAS Global Awards. The objective of the ICAS Awards is to reward initiatives that contribute to responsible marketing practices and a more effective and impactful...

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Blog

Operation Income Illusion: A Positive Step by the FTC to Curb Deceptive Income Claims

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s December 14 Operation Income Illusion initiative is a crackdown by the FTC and 19 federal, state, and local law enforcement partners against those that purport to offer significant income opportunities but that end up costing consumers thousands of dollars. This effort is consistent with an ongoing effort in the direct selling industry to ensure income claims are communicated truthfully and accurately.
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Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

 

 

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