News Archive

"As seen on TV?"

04 April 2012

Wouldn’t it be good if advertisers identified which goods had been “seen on TV”

Ad Tweets

04 April 2012

In March 2012 the ASA published its first adjudication about celebrity endorsements on Twitter.

New advertising rules for energy related products

15 March 2012

From the end of March 2012, ads for types of energy-related products (e.g. dishwashers, TVs, fridges etc) must comply with new rules.

New Telecoms Help Notes: get up to speed

15 March 2012

From 1 April, CAP and BCAP’s Help Notes on broadband speed claims and the use of “unlimited” claims in telecoms advertising will come into effect.

The Diamond Jubilee

12 March 2012

We had a royally good time in 2011, and 2012 is going to sparkle even more, but in our patriotic jubilation we mustn’t forget the advertising dos and don’ts. So, here are some points to note regarding advertising in The Queen’s Jubilee year.

Express Advice Service and a new Online Interface

11 May 2011

We’re launching a new chargeable Express Advice service, which delivers copy advice within four hours for those customers who ask for fast-track copy advice. To improve our customers’ experience and to help maximise the time we spend giving expert copy advice, we are also launching an online Copy Advice enquiry form.

Collecting data for marketing purposes from children

14 February 2011

Collecting data for marketing purposes from under 12s without the consent of a parent or guardian is prohibited. However, following recent guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) about the likely acceptability of collecting some limited data about others from children under 16, CAP has updated its rules to reflect this guidance in order to ensure it is consistent with the ICO’s approach.

New Copy Advice website audit offers a health check for online marketing communications

31 January 2011

From 31 January, the CAP Copy Advice team is introducing a new bespoke website audit service for advertisers. The audits will offer a tailored  and expert assessment of companies’ websites against the CAP Code with a view to giving their marketing communications a clean bill of health and providing compliance guidance.

Royal Ad-Etiquette

17 November 2010

The recent announcement from Clarence House that Prince William and Kate Middleton are to marry next year poses many questions: will there be a national holiday? Who will design the dress? Is hat-wearing going to be mandatory across the British Isles? And most importantly as far as advertisers are concerned: can we refer to this happy event in our advertising?

ASA digital remit extension: We have the answers

02 September 2010

Yesterday’s announcement that the ASA’s digital remit will be extended to cover more online marketing communications is good news for both consumer and business protection. But no doubt it will have prompted a few questions about what this might mean for your business and where you can get help.

Webcast of Advice:am seminar on the new CAP and BCAP Codes

14 July 2010

The new UK Advertising Codes will come into effect on 1 September 2010 when the ASA will begin to apply the new rules. Watch the advice seminar to help you get up to speed with the changes.

More effective, efficient and in tune with our stakeholders - The ASA’s Preliminary Response to the Process Review

24 June 2010

The Advertising Standards Authority has published its preliminary response to the Process Review of its core functions, conducted with the help of independent consultants. The review has helped to identify a number of improvements which will benefit consumers as well as advertisers by making our operations quicker, more efficient and effective.

Sampling references - Consumer Goods

24 June 2010

In response to requests from advertisers and agencies the Copy Advice Team has written an Advice Online entry to provide greater clarity around many issues that can be faced when using and referencing samples in consumer advertising.

New Travel Marketing Help Note: Preparing your campaign for take-off

27 May 2010

As travel remaining amongst the ASA’s top 10 most complained about sectors, the pitfalls of advertising in this area are clear. CAP’s recently published Travel Help Note contains significant revisions to the previous guidance and, having been written in close consultation with the industry, aims to address these potential pitfalls by bringing together, in one document, advice relevant to a broad cross-section of travel marketers.

CAP/ASA Annual Report 2009: Responsive regulation for an evolving industry

26 May 2010

The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) Annual Report 2009 published today reveals how they are keeping pace with change to provide responsive and effective regulation for the industry.

New Travel Marketing Help Note published

21 May 2010

Holiday and travel advertising remains in the ASA's top 10 most complained about sectors. To help advertisers stay on the right side of the CAP Code and to navigate the pitfalls of travel promotions, CAP has updated its guidance.

All in the name of charity

13 October 2009

Christmas is a busy time for everyone and in the not-for-profit sector in particular, this can be a key period, so we’ve focussed this month’s Insight on the relevant issues for this type of advertising and the potential minefields that advertisers have to navigate through.

Don't beat around the 'ambush'

03 August 2009

With the British 'summer' in full swing, so is the sporting calendar and advertisers are often keen to leverage additional coverage for their brands through tie-ins with key sporting events and teams.

Addendum to the Consultations on the CAP and BCAP Codes

01 June 2009

The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) have launched an addendum to each of the CAP and BCAP Code Review consultation documents.

ASA Annual Report 2008

28 April 2009

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) revealed that it had its busiest year ever in 2008, with a record number of ads (2,475) changed or withdrawn as a result of ASA action.

The CAP and BCAP Code Review

26 March 2009

CAP and BCAP have launched a review and consultation on the advertising rules.

CAP sends packaging packing

20 March 2009

Recent clarification of the Code state promoters of “free” items should not be charging consumers for packaging.

Good for you?

20 March 2009

Recent ASA adjudications on food ads provide lessons for food advertisers wanting to make nutrition claims.

Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation 1924/2006

19 January 2009

The regulation requires a few changes to take effect in the CAP and BCAP Codes to ensure that the Codes and the regulation are in harmony.  The CAP Code changes take effect today.  BCAP, which is obliged to consult on Code changes, today starts a consultation that closes on 16 February.  Click here for more.

This consultation has now closed

Searching for advice on your ads?

17 January 2009

The CAP Copy Advice team is planning to launch a new dedicated website that will make essential help and guidance easily available to marketers all in one place.

User satisfaction with CAP Copy Advice soars to highest ever levels

22 May 2008

If you have used our Copy Advice service for non-broadcast ads, see how well other users have rated it.  If you have not, check the extraordinarily high satisfaction of those who do.  Our advice is fast, free and confidential; can you afford to do without it?