At the Global Federation of Direct Selling Associations (GFDSA), consumer protection is a core ethical and responsible business pillar. We believe every consumer has the right to honest, transparent, and fair dealings when engaging with direct selling companies and independent sellers.
GFDSA member companies and associations are committed to upholding the highest consumer respect and accountability standards, guided by the GFDSA World Code of Ethics.
Always ensure that the direct seller you are dealing with:
Do not sign any agreement, order form, or contract unless:
Avoid making cash payments unless:
Any verbal commitment — such as “special offers” or “limited-time discounts” — should be:
All GFDSA member companies must provide:
Choose to engage with companies that are part of the GFDSA and are members of Regional Direct Selling Associations. This guarantees that the business:
GFDSA and its member associations welcome and encourage these consumer checks. We know that sustainable success in direct selling comes not from pressure or persuasion but from building long-term trust, transparency, and integrity.
The GFDSA World Code of Ethics is the cornerstone of integrity, transparency, and responsibility in the global direct selling industry. It establishes clear and enforceable standards for ethical business conduct among all GFDSA member associations and their affiliated companies.
Adopted across all GFDSA member countries, the Code ensures that direct selling practices remain fair, honest, and respectful to consumers and independent sellers. It covers key areas, including product claims, sales practices, consumer protection, dispute resolution, and responsible recruitment.
The Code is not static — it is continuously reviewed and enhanced to reflect evolving global market dynamics, legal frameworks, and ethical expectations. All member associations must implement the Code nationally and ensure their member companies fully comply.
By upholding the GFDSA World Code of Ethics, we reinforce trust in the industry, empower ethical entrepreneurship, and protect consumers — creating a more responsible and sustainable future for direct selling worldwide.
Protect Yourself. Choose Legitimate Direct Selling.
If you are considering joining a direct selling opportunity, one of the most critical questions you must ask is:
“Is there a genuine, marketable product or service?”
At the Global Federation of Direct Selling Associations (GFDSA), we are committed to helping individuals identify legitimate, ethical opportunities and avoid illegal schemes that exploit people under the guise of business.
A legitimate direct selling business is built on tangible, high-quality, competitively priced products or services. These products should:
If the product feels vague, speculative, overpriced, or exists only to justify enrolment fees, this is a red flag.
Illegal pyramid schemes often use token or low-value products to mask recruitment-driven profit models. Common warning signs include:
Remember: If the focus is more on enrolling people than selling products, it’s not direct selling — it’s a pyramid scheme.
All GFDSA-recognized companies and associations must:
Your Checklist Before Joining:
At GFDSA, we protect the direct selling industry's reputation by supporting only ethical, product-based, and transparent business models.
Your journey in direct selling should be built on trust, empowerment, and real value — never deception.
In direct selling, income is earned through product sales and, in some cases, through the sales generated by a team you build over time. Success requires consistent effort, skill development, and customer service.
Be cautious of :
GFDSA encourages responsible income disclosure and does not endorse exaggerated or misleading earnings claims.
Legitimate direct selling companies typically require a modest start-up fee, often covering a starter kit or training materials. These costs should be reasonable, transparent, and optional.
Be wary of:
Pyramid schemes often profit from enrollment fees, not product value.
Direct selling companies often use multi-level compensation structures to reward sales performance and leadership.
Before joining:
GFDSA supports simple, transparent, and product-based reward systems.
In a legitimate direct selling model, products are consumed and purchased by real end users, including customers and distributors.
Ask:
Be wary of schemes where products exist only to justify recruitment.
While building a team can be part of a direct selling business, recruiting should never be the primary focus.
A legitimate company:
Recruitment-only income models are a hallmark of pyramid schemes.
Reputable companies offer inventory buy-back policies for unopened, marketable products, protecting the financial well-being of their distributors.
Check for:
GFDSA requires member companies to uphold fair inventory return standards as part of their ethical obligations.
At GFDSA, we actively monitor and guide our member companies and associations to ensure they:
When in doubt, contact your local GFDSA-recognized Direct Selling Association to verify the legitimacy of a company or opportunity.
The Global Federation of Direct Selling Associations (GFDSA) is committed to protecting the rights of consumers, distributors, and companies by strictly enforcing the GFDSA World Code of Ethics. All companies affiliated with GFDSA-recognized Direct Selling Associations (DSAs) must fully comply with the ethical standards established by their local DSA and the global GFDSA framework.
You can file a formal complaint if you believe a direct-selling company or its representative has violated these standards. GFDSA provides a transparent and structured resolution process to ensure fairness, accountability, and professionalism.
Before escalating your complaint, attempt to resolve the matter directly with the individual seller or company involved. Prepare a written complaint including the following:
Allow the company or representative up to 30 days to respond in good faith.
If the issue remains unresolved, submit your complaint to the Code Administrator of your Regional Direct Selling Association (RDSA). Include the same documentation outlined in Step 1. Every GFDSA-recognized RDSA has a designated Code Administrator responsible for ensuring compliance with ethical standards.
The Regional Direct Selling Association will review and facilitate resolution between you and the company.
Suppose your national DSA is unable to resolve the matter to your satisfaction. In that case, you may submit your complete complaint history, along with responses from both the company and the national DSA, to GFDSA's Ethics Oversight Unit via email at:
ethics@gfdsa.org (example email, can be customized)
GFDSA will review your case and consult directly with the Regional Direct Selling Association and the company's headquarters to ensure a fair resolution.
Even if:
You can still file a complaint if the company is a member of the Regional DSA in its home country, provided that GFDSA recognizes the Regional Direct Selling Association (RDSA).
What to do:
You should report the issue to your local consumer protection agency or government body if the company is not a GFDSA-affiliated Regional Direct Selling Association (RDSA) member.
GFDSA and its member Regional Direct Selling Association (RDSA) uphold the direct selling industry's commitment to consumer protection, ethical practices, and responsible growth. Our complaint resolution process is:
If you need guidance on whether a company is GFDSA-affiliated or help drafting your complaint, please contact your Regional Direct Selling Association (RDSA) or email GFDSA directly.
GFDSA is here to protect your voice — because trust is the foundation of our industry