Program Impact
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 Activity Report: January-October 2020
- 2020 Year-End Activity Report
- DSSRC Activity Report: January-July 2021
- 2021 Year-End Activity Report
- 2022 Year-End Activity Report
News & Blog
Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council Refers Wayal Health Product Performance Claims to the FTC for Possible Enforcement Action
McLean, VA – June 6, 2023 – The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) referred Wayal Health to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for possible enforcement action after it failed to respond to a DSSRC inquiry into aggressive health-related product performance claims made on social media by the company and...
Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council Recommends Juice Plus+ Discontinue Certain Earnings and Health-Related Product Claims
McLean, VA – May 23, 2023 – The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) recommended that Juice Plus+ modify or discontinue certain earnings and health-related product performance claims. These claims were made by Juice Plus+, a direct selling company that sells fruit and vegetable juice extract supplements, as...
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...
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 the operators of work-from-home and employment scams, pyramid schemes, investment scams, bogus coaching courses, and other nefarious operations that purport to offer significant income opportunities but that end up costing consumers thousands of dollars.
In this effort, the FTC and its partners are opening new law enforcement actions that focus on scams targeting consumers with fake promises of income and financial independence that have no basis.
The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) has long cautioned direct selling companies about the dissemination of business opportunity claims that communicate unrealistic earnings claims. One of the greatest challenges for direct selling companies is ensuring that the earnings claims communicated by their salesforce members comply with legal and self-regulatory standards.
In fact, earlier this year the DSSRC published its Earnings Claims Guidance for the Direct Selling Industry, which was intended to reinforce the fundamental principles of advertising claim dissemination with a particular emphasis on earnings claims communicated in social media posts.
In general, direct selling companies are encouraged to refrain from communicating any claims that can be construed as communicating that consumers and potential salesforce members can generally expect to earn anything beyond modest or supplemental income from the direct selling business opportunity. Since the release of this guidance, companies have been very receptive and the announcement by the FTC of Operation Income Illusion is consistent with this ongoing effort to ensure that income claims in the direct selling industry are communicated truthfully and accurately.
DSSRC remains concerned about the continued proliferation of exaggerated income claims and will continue to monitor the advertising messages of the direct selling industry to make sure they adhere to appropriate and ethical advertising standards.
If you think you have found a false business opportunity claim in the direct selling industry, file a challenge with the DSSRC.
Resources
2022 Year-End Activity Report
2021 Year-End Activity Report
DSSRC Guidance on Earnings Claims for the Direct Selling Industry 2022
DSSRC Program Overview
DSA Code of Ethics
Direct Selling Education Foundation
COVID-19 False Advertising Cases
DSA Compliance Handbook for Direct Sellers
Frequently Asked Questions