You may have heard about the Trading Standards Institute (TSI)'s 'No Cold Calling' initiative, and be wondering how it might affect you.

The aim of the zones is to deter rogue traders and protect vulnerable consumers. It is not an initiative designed to prevent law-abiding businessmen and women from serving their customers or developing new business.

Companies such as Avon, Kleeneze and Betterware are working with Trading Standards, along with Neighbourhood Watch and the Office of Fair Trading to make sure that going forward, this initiatives protects everybody's interests.

Consumer protection

The direct selling industry has an obligation to help educate consumers about buying safely.

The DSA encourges all members who sell to the public to help combat rogue traders by communicating with consumers about buying safely in the home, and promoting awareness of the Office of Fair Trading's approval of the DSA Consumer Code of Practice. The DSA Code provides consumers with a level of protection that exceeds their legal rights, and its approval by the OFT gives a seal of approval that consumers should look out for.

DSA’s advice to consumers is to look for the OFT Consumer Code Approval Scheme logo, which tells them that their rights are protected and provides a level of protection greater than the legal requirement.