The ASA is here to make sure all advertising, wherever it appears, meets the high standards laid down in the advertising codes.  Our website will tell you more about the rules for advertising, let you complain online, and explain how the ASA is working to keep UK advertising standards as high as possible.  Read a short guide to what we do.

Important Notice

Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008

The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs) and the Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations 2008 (BPRs) came into force on 26 May 2008. The CAP Code has been revised to take into account the new provisions in those Regulations.  BCAP will revise its Codes after considering responses to its consultation on proposed changes; the consultation has now closed. The vast majority of clauses in the BCAP TV and Radio Codes are already consistent with the Regulations but, to the extent that any are inconsistent with the Regulations, the provisions of the Regulations will take precedence. 

• You can find the BCAP consultation on its TV and Radio Codes here
• You can read the full text of the Consumer Protection Regulations here
• You can read the full text of the Business Protection Regulations here
• The OFT has published interim guidance on the Consumer Protection Regulations here

ASA puts 'greenwash' in the limelight (15 July 2008)

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has today published a report detailing the findings of a stakeholder consultation seminar entitled ‘Environmental Claims in Advertising: Is Green a Grey Area?’. The ASA used the seminar to engage with industry, environmental and consumer groups on establishing where problems arise and setting parameters for environmental and ethical claims.

Read full story

Revised TV sound levels rule comes into force (07 July 2008)

On Monday 7 July, the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) revised TV sound levels rule will come into force.

Read full story

Alcohol ads are in spirit of the tightened advertising rules (04 July 2008)

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has published the findings of its Alcohol Advertising Compliance Survey 2007. The report reveals that a significantly high proportion of alcohol ads, 97% were compliant with the Advertising Codes.

Read full story