EURACTIV PR

An easy way of publishing your relevant EU press releases.

Press-Release from Direct Selling Europe (DSE) on the Proposal for a Directive on consumer rights (COM(2008)614 final)

Date

30 Jun 2011

Sections

Health & Consumers

Direct Selling Europe (DSE) is the federation of European national trade associations and
Europe-wide operating, well reputed and sustainable direct selling companies.

DSE Members distribute top quality and high visibility products which are in strong demand with
consumers. They abide by the highest ethical standards and have pioneered fair practices (see DSE
website for details) in direct selling (off-premises selling). They produce and sell predominantly in
Europe and provide earnest income opportunities to close to 1,5 million self-employed in Europe
representing about 50% of the direct selling industry in the EU in terms of revenue.

DSE Members are best in class direct selling companies such as Victoria-Benelux, Tupperware,
Deesse, Vorwerk, InmediaOne] (Bertelsmann), Lux, AMC, Jafra, Wine International (WIV), Just,
Pierre-Lang, Nutrimetics and the national direct selling Associations from Austria, Belgium,
Germany, Italy and Switzerland.

Since the publication of the proposed Consumer Rights Directive by the European Commission in
October 2008, DSE has underlined that it supports the objective of any European consumer policy to
stimulate the functioning (the transfer of goods and services) of the Internal Market of the 27
Member States as well as to create a fair balance between the interests of consumers and
enterprises.

DSE is pleased to congratulate the European Parliament and the IMCO Committee in particular on the
adoption of the final text of the Consumer Rights Directive on 22 June. DSE firmly supports this final
Directive text as it introduces uniform, clear, concise and unambiguous rules for direct selling
situations all over the European Union providing concrete and clear benefits for both consumers and
businesses.
DSE Members wish to thank the European Parliament for adopting a legislative text that is largely in
line with its positions and suggestions, protecting the direct selling industry and ensuring future
development and success for both businesses and the millions of independent entrepreneurs that are
active in the sector.

DSE Members would have liked to have seen full harmonisation of all aspects relating to direct selling
as well as a starting point of the withdrawal period at the signing of the order form and having
avoided the ban on payments during the withdrawal period in Belgium and France altogether. DSE
Members are convinced however that these three points are partly compensated for by the
advantages offered by the legal certainty and flexibility laid down in the new Consumer Rights
Directive.

DSE Members hope that the governments of those countries that ban payments during the
withdrawal period will re-consider their position based on the advances in consumer protection laid
down in the new Consumer Rights Directive.

We remain available for any further comments or clarification.
Marc Pouw
Managing Director
Direct Selling Europe (DSE)