Seldia has two categories of members: national Direct Selling Associations (DSAs) and direct selling companies having operations in Europe (Corporate Members). To be eligible for Seldia’s Corporate Membership, a direct selling company must be a member of at least three EU DSAs. If the company is active in Europe for less than 5 years, then the criteria of DSA membership is of one DSA. If you comply with these criteria, you are welcome to send your application to the Seldia Secretariat (seldia@seldia.eu)

Anyone can become a directseller, without any distinction of age, gender or education background. Companies provide free training to direct sellers and ongoing support to their activities. Here are a few points to observe before starting a direct selling activity: - Select a company with a product/service that appeals to you; if you like the product, you will find it easier to recommend it to others; - Make sure that the company gives you a written contract which you have read and understood, in particular the compensation plan and the conditions under which the unsold products are returned. - Avoid any proposal requiring a substantial financial investment. - Avoid any proposal requiring a substantial financial investment. The initial investment required by the majority of direct selling companies investment is rarely more than 200 Euros – for a business kit and some product samples.

Direct selling is a channel of distribution, a way of marketing products and services. Multilevel marketing or network marketing refers to a way of organising a direct selling business. A company using multilevel marketing remunerates its direct sellers, or distributors, on the basis of both their personal sales and also the sales achieved by those others that they have recruited, trained, helped and motivated.

Direct selling always implies a face-to-face contact between the seller and the customer, either on a person-to-person manner or in a home party. In direct marketing, such as catalogue sales or e-commerce, the seller and the consumer never meet each other. However direct selling has adapted to the online retail space, and many sellers choose to sell products on the digital marketplace, whilst retaining the personal connections which make our industry unique.

The Code Administrator is an independent person or body appointed by a Direct Selling Association (DSA) to monitor member companies’ observance of the DSA’s Code of Conduct and to resolve complaints between consumers and companies or between sellers and companies.

Direct selling suits the sale of almost every category of products that can be found in traditional retail locations and in department stores. It is also very convenient for the sale of services such as telecoms, gas and electricity supplies. Cosmetic and personal care products, household items and wellness products are the strongest sectors in direct selling. Other products categories include food and beverages, nutritional products, jewellery and clothes, books, toys and games, home improvement products and decoration items, etc.