DSA Policy Priorities
From Capitol Hill to statehouses nationwide, DSA protects the independent status of direct sellers and strengthens integrity across the direct selling marketplace.
Marketplace Integrity
Marketplace Integrity
Independent Seller Status
Independent Seller Status
See What DSA Accomplished in 2025
Through strategic advocacy, direct engagement, and collaboration with policymakers, DSA advanced the priorities of the direct selling community at both the federal and state levels.
State Bills Tracked
Bipartisan H.R. 3495 Cosponsors
Policymakers Engaged at the Legal + Regulatory Conference
Eliminated From Delaware’s Proposed Waiting Period
Federal Advocacy
DSA’s federal advocacy in 2026 builds on the momentum created in 2025, when direct selling issues gained renewed attention in Congress and before federal agencies. DSA continues to engage policymakers on the value of independent work, the importance of clear regulatory standards, and the need to distinguish legitimate direct selling from unlawful activity.
Federal Regulatory Agency Engagement
DSA continues to engage federal agencies on proposed rules and regulatory actions that could affect direct selling companies and independent salespeople.
Key areas of focus include Federal Trade Commission rulemakings involving earnings claims and business opportunity issues. DSA is also monitoring Department of Labor activity related to independent contractor standards under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
In April 2026, DSA submitted comments to the Department of Labor addressing the independent contractor test under the FLSA. DSA’s comments reinforced the importance of preserving the independent status that allows direct sellers to choose how, when, and where they work.
The DSA Code of Ethics is the gold standard for industry self-regulation, requiring every member company to operate with the highest level of integrity. By mandating truthful product claims and robust consumer protections—including a guaranteed 90% inventory buyback—we ensure a marketplace built on transparency and trust.
The DSSRC provides independent, third-party oversight administered by BBB National Programs to ensure integrity across the entire direct selling industry. Through proactive monitoring of product and earnings claims, this program enforces high standards of truth in advertising and builds marketplace trust. It serves as a vital safeguard, protecting consumers while promoting ethical business practices for members and non-members alike.
Congressional Engagement
DSA continues to build congressional awareness of direct selling as a flexible, low-cost path to entrepreneurship. DSA’s work with lawmakers includes continued support for policies that recognize the independent nature of direct selling.
DSA continues to advocate for the ability of individuals to participate in the channel on their own terms. Get involved in DSA’s political programs.
- H.R. 3495, the Direct Seller and Real Estate Agent Harmonization Act, remains a central federal priority for DSA.
- Building on progress made in 2025, DSA continues to work with congressional offices and industry advocates to advance understanding of the legislation.
- The bill continues to serve as a key vehicle for educating policymakers about the direct selling model and the independent status of direct sellers.
- The Congressional Direct Selling Caucus is a bipartisan group of U.S. House lawmakers focused on issues affecting direct selling, independent work, and micro-entrepreneurship.
- The Caucus provides a forum for educating policymakers about the direct selling channel and the individuals who choose to participate as independent sellers.
- DSA works with Caucus members to support awareness of policy issues affecting the channel, including worker classification, independent contractor status, and regulatory developments.
Be a part of making a in protecting the sales channel and preserving the freedom and flexibility of the direct sellers who are America’s original entrepreneurs so that they may continue to build their business on their own terms.
DSA launched “America at 250: Direct Selling, An All-American Story” to highlight the role direct selling has played in American entrepreneurship and independent work. The initiative invites independent sellers to share why they choose direct selling, how they structure their activity, and how it fits into their lives. These stories support DSA’s advocacy by helping policymakers understand the real-world importance of preserving flexible, independent participation in the channel.
State Advocacy
DSA’s 2026 state advocacy builds directly on the issues identified in 2025.
Key priorities include engaging on state legislative proposals, protecting independent contractor status, advancing model legislation, and helping member companies respond to emerging compliance requirements.
Engaging on State Legislative Proposals
DSA continues to monitor and engage on state proposals that could affect direct selling companies and independent sellers. This work includes educating policymakers, clarifying the direct selling model, and working with sponsors and committees to improve proposed legislation.
In 2026, DSA’s engagement includes Delaware, Virginia, Kansas, and other states where legislative proposals could affect the channel.
Delaware
- Following DSA’s 2025 engagement on Delaware legislation, DSA continued working with sponsors in 2026 to address provisions that would have created significant challenges for direct selling companies and independent sellers.
- DSA helped remove the proposed 48-hour waiting period.
- DSA also worked to narrow some of the most problematic disclosure requirements.
Virginia and Kansas
- DSA engaged on proposed “corporate welfare tax” legislation in Virginia and Kansas.
- The proposals would have treated independent contractors as employees for purposes of new tax exposure.
- DSA contacted sponsors and committees, shared concerns about the potential impact on the direct selling channel, and prepared to testify where needed.
- The Virginia bill was not considered this year.
- The Kansas bill was not scheduled for consideration.
Independent Contractor Protection
Protecting the independent status of direct sellers remains one of DSA’s central advocacy priorities.
In 2026, DSA continued to respond to state-level proposals, audits, and litigation risks that could affect how direct sellers are classified.
New Jersey
- DSA is engaged in New Jersey on issues related to independent contractor classification.
- This includes a Department of Labor audit involving a direct selling company.
- DSA also responded to proposed regulatory changes that could make independent contractor classification more difficult.
- DSA filed comments opposing the proposed regulation.
- DSA is working on proactive legislation to help protect the independent status of direct sellers in the state.
California
- In California, DSA continues to address litigation and regulatory risks related to employment classification and the Private Attorneys General Act.
- DSA drafted and proposed changes to California Unemployment Insurance Code Section 650.
- DSA supported SB 1403, introduced by Senator Strickland, to modernize the direct seller exemption.
- DSA is continuing engagement with legislative stakeholders as the bill moves through the process.
Proactive Model Legislation
DSA continues to advance proactive model legislation that clearly distinguishes legitimate direct selling companies from illegal pyramid schemes.
The model legislation is designed to protect consumers and support responsible business practices across the channel.
Florida
- In Florida, DSA supported anti-pyramid legislation based on the DSA/CSG model.
- The legislation is designed to clearly distinguish illegal pyramid schemes from legitimate direct selling companies.
- It recognizes internal consumption, encourages strong buyback policies, and discourages inventory loading.
- The issue remains an important proactive priority as legislative consideration moves into 2027.
Emerging Compliance Requirements
DSA is tracking emerging compliance requirements that could affect how direct selling companies and independent sellers communicate with customers. These requirements may affect product marketing, customer outreach, and operations across state lines.
Texas
- DSA is engaged on Texas’s new texting law.
- The law may impose registration, reporting, bonding, and disclosure obligations on businesses that engage in certain text-message solicitations.
- DSA leadership and member company executives met with the Texas Attorney General’s office and Secretary of State.
- DSA delivered a letter requesting an Attorney General opinion on the law’s application to direct sellers.
Washington
- DSA supported legislation addressing risks created by the Washington Supreme Court’s interpretation of the state Consumer Electronic Mail Act.
- The issue involved potential liability for promotional email subject lines, particularly where time-limited offers were extended.
- DSA-supported HB 2274 passed the legislature and was signed by the governor.
- The legislation helps reduce uncertainty for advertisers and companies communicating with consumers.