ICC International Code of Direct Selling

ICC expects business operators to respect and endorse the Code both in the spirit and to the letter. It is recommended as a daily reference source for everyone involved in direct selling.

The Code is intended to achieve the following objectives:

• demonstrate responsibility and good practice in direct selling across the world;
• enhance overall public confidence in direct selling;
• respect privacy and consumer preferences and to provide effective consumer protection;
• promote fair competition and free enterprise;
• provide effective practical and flexible solutions;
• minimise the need for detailed governmental and/or inter-governmental legislation or regulations.

Structure of the Code

The Code is constructed as a system of ethical rules for the various phases and aspects of the direct selling process. It has been divided into four chapters:

• Basic principles
• Conduct towards consumers
• Conduct towards direct sellers
• Responsibility, substantiation and implementation.