The Direct Selling Association (DSA) brought a delegation of chief executives and senior leaders from member companies to Washington, DC to meet with federal policymakers about the state of independent work, entrepreneurship and the direct selling industry. The meetings follow the US Department of Labor’s announcement of a proposed rule to clarify the classification of independent contractors.
The DSA met with US Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith E. Sonderling, the second highest ranking official in the US Department of Labor, to thank the department for the proposed rule, which the DSA described as being “grounded in long-standing economy reality principles.”
“Clear and consistent standards matter for the millions of Americans who choose to pursue entrepreneurship through direct selling,” said Dave Grimaldi, Direct Selling Association CEO. “Direct sellers are independent individuals who decide whether, when and how they engage in building businesses on their own terms. We appreciated the opportunity to thank Deputy Secretary Sonderling for the Department’s recent action and to discuss how regulatory clarity helps ensure that independent business models can continue to operate with confidence.”
The delegation also met with Senator John Curtis (R-UT), who is a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), whose office serves on the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), to discuss the impact of policies on independent contractors and the importance of bipartisan engagement on independent contractor policy.
“Direct selling offers people a uniquely accessible path to entrepreneurship,” said Andrew Schmidt, Amway Region President, West Markets and DSA Chairman. “Every day, millions of individuals choose to build businesses through our channel because it gives them the flexibility and independence to pursue business ownership in ways that fit their lives. Engaging directly with policymakers helps ensure they understand how the model works and why clear, consistent policies matter for the Americans who depend on it.”
The delegation met with the offices of Democratic members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which oversees agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission, to discuss the channel’s commitment to consumer protection and compliance, including the DSA Code of Ethics and the work of the Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC).
“Direct selling remains one of the most accessible pathways to entrepreneurship in the American economy,” Grimaldi said. “Our goal in Washington is to ensure policymakers understand how the model works and why clear, consistent policies are essential for the individuals building businesses through it every day.”
