Have you got the tips of sharing products in a compliant way?

October 14, 2016

In recent years, having a remarkable figure has been the target of a lot of people. Some people slowly enjoy the remodeling process through doing exercise while some people want to achieve that through shortcuts and find a more relaxing approach. Thus, whenever there are claims that a product on the market can help people become thin and beautiful, the masses will rush to buy. In order to grasp the business opportunities, business partners not only run and promote the NU SKIN business via face to face interaction, they also do not want to give up the opportunities of sharing on the Internet, which can kill two birds with one stone -- reducing costs and increasing NU SKIN’s exposure at the same time. But are you sure you know how to share with others in compliance to the laws and regulations?

Luna and Amy are NU SKIN business partners, seeing Luna's skyrocketing sales performance, Amy could not help but ask Luna the key to success ...
Amy: Luna, your sales performance is progressively improving recently, any tips? Please share it with me!
Luna: Sure! ( Taking out her cell phone) You see, recently, I continuously promote NU SKIN products on Facebook and my inbox is flooded with people’s enquiries every day, and the sales volumes increase substantially!
Amy: Let me see what you wrote. “Taking TR90 guarantees you become thin from fat”? “Cure irritant contact dermatitis with the hand lotion” ? Luna, such exaggerating product claims are not allowed and not to mention you even posted someone else's exaggerating before and after photographs!

Luna: What is the problem?  Exaggerating the product efficacy along with the before and after photographs as testimony can attract more customers, can’t it?
Amy: Don’t you know about NU SKIN’s policies? Firstly, business partners may only utilize the Internet to conduct activities permitted by NU SKIN. Secondly, business partners cannot use the before and after photographs without the Company’s approval to demonstrate Product benefits. Thirdly, business partners cannot make medical claims or claims that the products can cure any disease. By so doing, you will not only violate NU SKIN policies but may also breach the local laws.
Luna: Oh my God! Sales performance is important, but if I have to be faced with NU SKIN’s disciplinary penalty or even a lawsuit just because I misuse the Internet carelessly, it is not really worth it! How should I share NU SKIN products and business on the Internet compliantly?
Amy: Good question. I'll share with you the tips of how to share products in a compliant way. For example, you have to describe the product benefits according to the claims on the marketing materials produced by NU SKIN. When you share photos of products usage, please use your own photos or photos authorized by NU SKIN. Of course, the safest way is to forward the articles, photographs or product descriptions shared by the NU SKIN’s official website. If what you share on the Internet complies with NU SKIN’s policies, you are sheltered from committing violations .
Luna: Okay, thank you for reminding me such an important issue.

[Analysis]
Immediacy and interactivity of Social Media brings tremendous convenience for people in connection. It coincides with NU SKIN’s business model in personal connection and network. However, please bear in mind that if you do not pay attention to the content you share on the Internet, you may carelessly violate NU SKIN’s policies and the local laws and regulations. NU SKIN expects and encourages our business partners to make good use of the Internet to promote NU SKIN, to attract more people’s attention under the prerequisite that the relevant regulations are obeyed. Let us bear in mind and encourage each other towards success, and DISCOVER THE BEST YOU^®.

Relevant NU SKIN Policies and Procedures and local laws are extracted as below:  
Chapter 3 Advertising
2 Product Claims
2.2 No Medical Claims
(Excerpt) “You may not make medical claims, or state or imply that any Product is formulated, designed or approved by the Company or any regulatory authority to treat any disease or medical condition.”
2.4 Before and After Photographs
Only those pictures and videos that have been approved by the Company may be used to demonstrate Product benefits.

7 Internet
7.1 Use of the Internet in Distributor Business
7.6 Internet Selling
(Excerpt) “Products may be sold on the internet only through Company websites and may not be sold through Distributor websites of any kind or any other form of internet use, including internet video and audio, social networking sites, social media and applications, and other sites that have content based on user participation and user generated content, forums, message boards, blogs, wikis and podcasts (e.g., Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Wikipedia, Flickr).”

Besides, in order for you to learn the rules more quickly, please scan the following QR code to read the Social Media Guidelines.

Excerpt from Chapter 231 “Undesirable Medical Advertisements Ordinance”
Section 3: Prohibition of advertisements relating to certain diseases;
exceptions therefrom
Section 3B: Prohibition of advertisements relating to certain orally
consumed products; exceptions therefrom
Schedule 1: Diseases and Conditions in respect of which
Advertisements are Prohibited or Restricted
Schedule 4: Claims for Orally Consumed Products in respect of which
Advertisements are Prohibited or Restricted