Seldia welcomes the New Deal for Consumers and the Commission’s intention to update the current EU policy framework by proposing some “targeted” amendments to the current EU rules. We would like to reiterate, once again, that it is essential the proposed amendments remain limited and do not allow for further changes regarding other regulatory provisions, which have reportedly been functioning well for consumers, businesses and public authorities. You can download the full Seldia Position Paper on New Deal for Consumers here .

Direct Selling is a method of marketing and retailing goods and services directly to the consumers, in their homes or in any other location away from permanent retail premises. It is usually conducted in a face-to-face manner, either where products are demonstrated to an individual, or to a group or where a catalogue is left with the consumer and where the direct seller calls later to collect orders. A key characteristic of direct selling is the role of the independent salesperson in the distribution of products and services. These salespeople affiliate with a direct selling company, but retain the freedom to run a business on their own terms, including how much time and effort to put into building the business. People involved in direct selling choose to become involved and stay in direct selling for many different reasons. These include being able to buy products they like at a discounted price and the opportunity to earn supplemental income. While some people run successful full-time direct selling businesses, for the majority of people involved in direct selling the revenue earnt is not their primary income, but a way to make extra money to fund a holiday, education or just to provide some extra spending money. Direct Selling Outlook 2017 While direct selling is, like all retail, impacted by the current macro-socio economic downturn, the 2017 sales results show that the industry’s retail model is still strong and that direct selling is in a good position to grow its business further in the coming years. European retail sales in direct selling have shown a constant growth over the last years and in 2017 direct selling sales grew by 3% in Europe and in the European Union by 2.4%. You can download the Direct Selling: A Vibrant Retail Channel in Europe brochure here .

Seldia suggests amendments for the Omnibus Directive. You can download the full proposal of amendments here .

Seldia joins forces with other organisations for the Commission Proposed Rules on Doorstep Selling. On 11 April 2018, the Commission published a legislative proposal under the “New Deal for Consumers” that would, among others, allow Member States to place additional restrictions on aggressive or misleading commercial practices in the context of unsolicited doorstep selling and commercial excursions. We do not think that the draft provision on doorstep selling is the right way forward. You can download the full Joint Statement  here .

Seldia Annual Report 2017-2018 focuses on Seldia 50 Anniversary: 50 years of setting high standards for Direct Selling in Europe. Download Seldia Annual Report 2017-2018 here .

The 7th Direct Selling conference took place in Brussels, 16 & 17 October 2018. More than 200 entrepreneurs, executives, policy makers and economists celebrated the event dedicated to celebrating the Anniversary of the Seldia organisation, which has represented the industry in Brussels for 50 years.

Women, entrepreneurship and inclusivity: New independent market study shows that Direct Selling is supporting inclusive, flexible business opportunities for millions of Europeans. You can check the 2018 Ipsos Survey here .

Seldia joins forces with other organisations for the Draft Proposal of the Presidency of the Council on Doorstep Selling. The Presidency of the Council has prepared a compromise proposal for agreement during the COREPER meeting of 1 March 2019. The draft rules presented by the Presidency of the Council would allow the introduction of different consumer protection rules depending on the Member State, taking away from European consumers the benefit of enjoying the same rights and high level of consumer protection across the EU, as they do today. We call on Member States to reject the Presidency of the Council’s proposal and support instead the balanced set of provisions voted by an overwhelming majority of the European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee on the 22nd of January 2019. You can download the full Joint Statement  here .

Discover all about Direct Selling in the Seldia Direct Selling Is platform. Here you can access the main section of the platform: Direct Selling Is…. Direct Selling Stories Direct Selling: Did you Know?

Seldia’s Blue Sky paper. The 4 recommendations for the new European Parliament andCommission taking seat regarding Direct Selling in Europe. 1. Fair competition Fair competition is one of the cornerstones of the internal market. It safeguards equal opportunities for all businesses and ensures consumers’ access to a wide range of products and services. We urge EU policymakers to secure fair conditions for all market players, not only traditional but also growing alternative retail channels such as direct selling. We hope for a comprehensive, future-proof competition policy, that takes into consideration rapid changes in market environments. 2. Changing World of Work The traditional work environment is being constantly reshaped by technological develop­ments. Digitalisation means novel forms of jobs and changing work conditions for standard forms of jobs and employment – including those that are still not well recognised. We are happy to see the EU closely monitoring these changes and already starting to adapt its legislation accordingly. We call on the EU to continue reflecting the changing work environment into new policies. We urge for further EU initiatives that support, promote and recognise the training of skills that are fit for the 21st century job market. Additionally, we ask the EU to promote flexible working conditions as a top priority in the new work environment. 3. Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship is an important driver for competitiveness, growth and jobs. Direct selling promotes the entrepreneurial spirit and provides independent business opportunities to millions of Europeans. We request the EU to continue supporting and boosting micro-entrepreneurs through legislative and non-legislative initiatives. Therefore, we call for setting up a platform on micro-entrepreneurs at European level with the aim of supporting the exchange of best practices in national policies. 4. Single Market We support a strong single market, where businesses can flourish and consumers can benefit from a wider choice of products and services. We urge EU decision makers to continue in this direction by harmonizing rules even further and by reducing the administrative burden for businesses operating across the EU. At the same time, we firmly support stronger enforcement tools for the European Commission to ensure Member States’ compliance with EU rules. Download here Seldia recommendations.