MUMBAI: Coinciding with Union Government's mission of empowering women, Ms. Rini Sanyal, Director-Regulatory & Government Affairs, Herbalife Nutrition, has taken over as new Chairperson of Indian Direct Selling Association (IDSA). Mr Vivek Katoch, Director – Corporate Affairs, Oriflame India Pvt. Ltd., demitted the office after completing his successful two years term as Chairman.

The election to form a new Executive Committee was held during 23rd Annual General Meeting of the of IDSA at New Delhi recently. Ms Sanyal is the first female to be elected to the coveted post of Chairperson of IDSA. Mr Rajat Banerji, Vice President- Corporate Affairs, Amway India Enterprises was elected as Vice-Chairperson of the Association. Mr Katoch will be the new Treasurer while Jitendra Jagota, Director Legal & Govt. Affairs, Avon Beauty Products India Pvt. Ltd., has been elected as new Secretary of IDSA. The new Executive Committee will hold office for two years.

The new Chairperson, Rini Sanyal, professionally is a Food & Nutrition specialist, Trainer and policy professional for 18 years having expertise in the technical & legal regulatory affairs in Food, Retail, FMCG and allied areas. Deft in International Food Regulations, she has worked closely with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and remained an external consultant to Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and advised the authority on various strategic legal & Regulatory matters. She was also instrumental in drafting key regulations and was an active member in the effort towards Harmonization of Food Standards in India. She had started her career with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (FICCI).

Ms. Sanyal said "with the notification of Guidelines on Direct Selling by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs in the year 2016 to bring Direct Selling Industry (DSI) within a regulatory framework, clearly differentiating DSI from Pyramid schemes and providing a safeguard to consumers from dubious companies. This momentum has been further reinforced as the Consumer Protection Act 2019, recently passed in Parliament, has recognized the industry by including the Direct Selling definition in the Act, paving the way for regulation. The main focus ahead thus would be working in tandem with concerned Ministries in framing of rules & provisions and their implementation. This would enable the growth of DSI and protect the consumers interest as well. We also have to work with our members to pace up their growth in the country and take the sector and IDSA to greater heights.”