The cornerstone of the Direct Selling Association's (DSA) 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 DSA.

The DSA Code of Ethics speaks to both the consumer and the seller. It ensures that member companies will make no statements or promises that might mislead either consumers or prospective sales people. Pyramid schemes are illegal and companies operating pyramids are not permitted to be members of the DSA.

Summary Version of the Code Of Ethics:

As a consumer you should expect salespeople to:

• Tell you who they are, why they’re approaching you and what products they are selling.
• Promptly end a demonstration or presentation at your request.
• Provide a receipt with a clearly stated cooling off period permitting 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.
• Explain how to return a product or cancel an order.
• Provide you with promotional materials that contain the address and telephone number of the direct selling company.
• Provide a written receipt that identifies the company and salesperson, including contact information for either.
• Respect your privacy by calling at a time that is convenient for you.
• Safeguard your private information.
• Promptly end a demonstration or presentation at your request.
• Provide accurate and truthful information regarding the price, quality, quantity, performance, and availability of their product or service.
• Offer a written receipt in language you can understand.
• Offer a complete description of any warranty or guarantee.

As a salesperson, you should expect a DSA member company to:

• Provide you with accurate information about the company’s compensation plan, products, and sales methods.
• Describe the relationship between you and the company in writing.
• Be accurate in any comparisons about products, services or opportunities
• Refrain from any unlawful or unethical recruiting practice and exorbitant entrance or training fees.
• Ensure that you are not just buying products solely to qualify for downline commissions.
• Ensure that any materials marketed to you by others in the salesforce are consistent with the company’s policies, are reasonably priced and have the same return policy as the company’s.
• Require you to abide by the requirements of the Code of Ethics.
• Safeguard your private information.
• Provide adequate training to help you operate ethically.
• Base all actual and potential sales and earnings claims on documented facts.
• Encourage you to purchase only the inventory you can sell in a reasonable amount of time.
• Repurchase marketable inventory and sales aids you have purchased within the past 12 months at 90 percent or more of your original cost if you decide to leave the business.
• Explain the repurchase option in writing.
• Have reasonable start-up fees and costs.