India: Consumer Protection (Direct Selling) Rules, 2021 adopted

On 28 December 2021, the Department of Consumer Affairs of the Indian Government's Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution adopted the Consumer Protection (Direct Selling) Rules, 2021. The Rules prescribe a number of operating conditions for entities offering the sale of goods through direct sellers, including those which do so through e-commerce platforms. Conditions include a physical location in India, maintenance of an updated website, and the requirement of proper relation between direct selling entities and the direct sellers they use. Further, the Rules emphasise the applicability of the Consumer Protection (e-Commerce) Rules, 2020 to both direct sellers and direct selling entities making use of e-commerce platforms.