FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, D.C. (Sept. 11, 2012)—The Board of Directors of the Direct Selling Association recently approved the membership applications of two direct selling companies. The companies are:

• K&K Designs (Home Accessories/Décor)
• Stream Energy (Energy)

Each of these companies completed the minimum one-year pending period required for full membership in the association. During this time, the marketing and business plans of applicant companies are reviewed to ensure compliance with all provisions of DSA’s Code of Ethics.

“The members of the Direct Selling Association pride themselves in their commitment to the highest standards in business ethics,” said DSA’s President Joseph Mariano. “By applying for membership in the association and going through a rigorous approval process, these companies are demonstrating that they take their ethical obligations to their field salesforce and to the ultimate customer seriously and are willing to make a public pledge to that effect.”

DSA’s Code of Ethics gives the direct selling industry one of the strongest self-regulatory codes in business today. All member companies are not only required to comply with the Code to be admitted to the association, but must also continue to uphold and promote the Code as a condition of continuing membership in the association. DSA’s Code is enforced by an independent code administrator who investigates and prescribes remedies in response to salesforce and consumer complaints against member companies.

The Code itself includes provisions requiring truthful disclosure of product information regarding price, grade, quality, quantity and availability. The Code expressly prohibits pyramid schemes, deceptive or unlawful consumer or recruiting practices, misrepresentation of earning or sales potential, inventory loading and unreasonable entrance fees.

DSA is the national trade association of the leading firms that manufacture and distribute goods and services sold directly to consumers. Among its more than 250 active and pending members are companies selling both via a party plan method and in the traditional person-to-person style. In 2011, U.S. direct sales were nearly $30 billion with more than 15.6 million direct sellers nationwide. Worldwide sales reached $153 billion via more than 92 million sellers. The vast majority are independent business people—micro-entrepreneurs—whose purpose is to sell the product/service of the company they voluntarily choose to represent. Approximately 90 percent of direct sellers operate their business part-time.

For more information on direct selling, DSA and its Code of Ethics, please visit the DSA website at www.dsa.org.