近日，美國直銷協會（DSA）在華盛頓主持召開了年度法律及規管研討會。 　　此次研討會邀請了行業領袖共同討論影響直銷事業的相關法律和監督管理事項，以及企業和組織機構的最佳應對措施。 　　直銷協會與處在這些重要問題前沿的政府官員和代理機構建立起合作關係，同時也樂於引領他們分享意見並提供最新的信息動態。 　　在會議現場，參會者聽取了聯邦貿易委員會(FTC)消費者保護局主管Andrew Smith的發言，Smith在發言中重申了聯邦貿易委員會對於直銷行業的支持。 　　“對於聯邦貿易委員會是否改變了對於多層次營銷的立場，其答案是否定的——多層次營銷將繼續維持其合法的地位，對於直銷模式而言並不存在所謂固有的非法因素在其中，”Smith主管表示，“我個人認為，多層次營銷對於傳統零售而言在多方麵都具有其優勢，前者通過直接連接商家和消費者使得企業能直麵消費者，並為其提供更好的服務。這一點對於傳統零售模式而言，可能很難達到。” 　　在會議上，多個與直銷有著重要關聯領域的政府機構官員，在130多名參會者前發表了多項演講。食品和藥物管理局食品政策辦公室高級顧問Sharon Lindan Mayl、美國商務部國際貿易管理局工業和分析局助理秘書長Nazak Nikahtar、美國勞工部政策局副助理部長Alison Kilmartin等都發表了主題演講。 　　此外，研討會就直銷行業勞動力創新、完善法律監督、改善經銷商工作狀態等方麵進行了討論，直銷行業自律委員會(DSSRC)也發布了委員會成立首年的工作報告以及來年的工作計劃。 　　美國直銷協會總裁兼首席執行官約瑟夫·馬裏亞諾（Joseph N.Mariano）對於直銷行業當前狀態發表了評論，同時他也對行業未來的發展趨勢進行了分享。 　　“我們目前正處在一個充滿機遇和生機的時代。同時，毫無疑問的是法律和市場監管是直銷行業未來發展中最重要的要素之一，並且一直貫穿於未來的發展之中。”約瑟夫·馬裏亞諾如是說。 　　在接下來的時間裏，美國直銷協會將繼續聯合政府相關官員與行業領袖積極溝通，共同為直銷創建一個清晰和繁榮的發展環境。 　　DSA Brings Together Government Officials,Industry Leaders to Discuss Vital Issues for Direct Selling 　　On October 7–8,the Direct Selling Association(DSA)hosted its annual Legal and Regulatory Seminar in Washington,D.C. 　　The seminar brought together industry leaders to discuss legal and regulatory issues impacting the direct selling business and how companies and the Association are best positioned to respond. 　　The Association builds relationships with government officials and agencies who are at the forefront of these important issues and is always pleased to host them to share their opinions and updates directly. 　　Participants heard from Andrew Smith,director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection at the Federal Trade Commission(FTC).Mr.Smith provided an essential reaffirmation of the FTC’s support of direct selling. 　　“Whether the FTC has changed its position on multilevel marketing and the answer is an emphatic no:that multilevel marketing continues to be legal,that there’s nothing inherently unlawful about the direct selling model,”Smith said.“I personally think that multilevel marketing can be superior in many ways to traditional retailing in that it depends on a direct relationship between sellers and consumers and allows companies to reach consumers that they wouldn’t necessarily otherwise reach and it allows for sales to consumers and communities that might be underserved by traditional retail.” 　　A wide range of other government officials from departments and agencies with jurisdiction over issues important to direct selling addressed the more than 130 attendees.Sharon Lindan Mayl,senior advisor for Policy,Office of Food Policy from the Food and Drug Administration,presented the current legal status and the agency’s path forward on use and consumption of CBD;Nazak Nikahtar,assistant secretary for Industry and Analysis,United States Department of Commerce,International Trade Administration,updated attendees on trade agreements and the administration’s trade policy;and Alison Kilmartin,deputy assistant secretary for Policy,United States Department of Labor,listed the impressive accomplishments of the department on independent work and upcoming actions. 　　The seminar also had a discussion of independent work from founding members of the Coalition for Workforce Innovation;legal thought leaders discussed recent FTC enforcement actions;direct selling-focused attorneys discussed pressing legal issues;independent work professionals discussed updates on independent contractor status;and the Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council(DSSRC)examined the first year of the program and next steps.In addition to the content-rich program,industry general counsels and company compliance leads were able to participate in roundtable discussions discussing what’s keeping them up at night and how they are addressing these issues. 　　Joseph N.Mariano,president and chief executive officer for the DSA,commented on the state of direct selling and shared his thoughts for the industry going forward. 　　“What we are experiencing today are indeed interesting times,and it is clear that legal and regulatory matters are among the most important considerations that direct selling must consider as the industry envisions its course into the future,”Mariano said. 　　DSA will continue engaging with government officials and speaking with industry leaders throughout the year to create a clear and prosperous environment for direct selling.