Code of Conduct

The cornerstone of the Direct Selling Association's (DSA) commitment to ethical business practices and consumer service is its Code of Conduct. The Code is currently being aligned with the Consumer Protection Act and once completed will be registered with the Department of Trade and Industry. 

Every member company pledges to abide by the code's standards and procedures as a condition of admission and continuing membership in the Association and compliance with all legislation is also essential. The DSA Code of Conduct covers conduct between direct selling companies, the company and the direct seller, and the direct seller and the consumer. It ensures that member companies will make no statements or promises that might mislead either consumers or prospective direct sellers.

The relationship between the direct seller and the consumer has to be of the highest order and the correct representation of goods, services and business opportunities is imperative. Also, good relationships between the direct seller and the direct selling company are equally important and essential to industry growth, as well as relationships between member companies.

World Federation of Direct Selling Associations (WFDSA)

The World Federation of Direct Selling Associations (WFDSA) and its national DSAs have always upheld the necessity for ethical conduct in the marketplace and as such the WFDSA developed a World Code of Conduct for Direct Selling which all national DSAs use as a guideline and template for the implementation of their national codes. 

The Code of Conduct developed by the DSA of South Africa incorporates the WFDSA guidelines as well as aligning with South African legislative requirements.

Every DSA member company pledges to abide by the standards and procedures as set out in the industry Code of Conduct as a condition of admission and continuing membership in the Association.All direct sellers are bound by the Code when representing a DSA member company.

Consumer, Direct Seller and Code of Conduct

The DSA strives to ensure that all persons involved in the industry observe the highest standards of integrity and ethics in their trading activities.

The relationship between the direct seller and the consumer has to be of the highest order and the correct representation of goods, services and business opportunities is imperative. Also, good relationships between the direct seller and the direct selling company are equally important and essential to industry growth, as well as relationships between member companies.

For industry definitions and conduct towards consumers, conduct towards direct sellers, conduct between member companiesand complaints procedure, refer to the full version of the Code of Conduct.