Nature of Operations and Organization

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Nature of Operations and Organization

NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND ORGANIZATION

RBC Life Sciences, Inc. (along with its subsidiaries, sometimes hereinafter referred to collectively as “RBC” or the “Company”) is principally engaged in the marketing and distribution of nutritional supplements and personal care products (collectively “Nutritional Products”) through subsidiaries in the U.S. and Canada and, effective October 1, 2011, branch operations in Taiwan.  This product line is marketed under the “RBC Life” brand name.  In certain markets, primarily the U.S., Canada and Taiwan, the Company markets its products through a network of distributors that are referred to as “Associates.”  The Associates are independent contractors who purchase products for personal use, purchase products for resale to retail customers and sponsor other individuals as Associates.  Accordingly, Associates may be product consumers only or they may also seek to derive compensation both from the direct sales of products and from sales generated by sponsored Associates.

RBC also markets its Nutritional Products in certain international markets through license arrangements.  The licensees are third parties who are granted exclusive rights to distribute RBC products in their respective territories and, for the most part, distribute these products through an independent distributor network in a licensed territory.  Under these arrangements, the independent distributor network in a licensed territory is compensated by the licensee in accordance with a compensation plan similar to the one used by RBC for its Associates.

In addition to its Nutritional Products, RBC also markets a line of wound care products (“Medical Products”) under the MPM Medical brand name through a U.S. subsidiary.  Medical Products are primarily distributed in the U.S. to hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and pharmacies through traditional medical/surgical supply dealers and pharmaceutical distributors.  Medical Products are used to prevent and treat wounds, and manage pain associated with wounds, in the acute care, long-term care and oncology markets.