An Industry Guide to Public Complaints and Competitive Claims
The Advertising Standards Board and the Advertising Claims Board have been established under the advertising industry's self-regulation system which recognises that advertisers share a common interest in promoting consumer confidence in and respect for general standards of advertising.
With their authority resting on the industry's voluntary adherence to self-determined standards, both Boards make their determinations under appropriate sections of the Advertiser Code of Ethics as prescribed by the Australian Association of National Advertisers.
The current system of self-regulation came into operation in 1998 following extensive consultation with industry, consumer and government representatives. It is funded through a voluntary levy administered by the Australian Advertising Standards Council.
When public complaints are received by the Advertising Standards Board or competitive claims are lodged with the Advertising Claims Board, advertisers are contacted directly by the respective Boards.
Although different, the processes followed by the Boards are designed to ensure the right of reply to any advertiser subject to complaint or claim.
Public Complaints
For details of process once a public complaint is received, click here.
Competitor Claims
Competitor complaints can be made to the Advertising Standards Bureau for consideration by the Advertising Claims Board. For details of the process and information on how to make a complaint click here.