• AANA Code of Ethics
• Advertising to Children Code
• Alcoholic Beverages Advertising Code
• Motor Vehicle Advertising Code
• Therapeutic Goods Code
• Weight Management Code of Practice
• ICC Framework for responsible food and beverage communications

Industry Regulation

It is recognised that advertisers share a common interest in promoting consumer confidence in and respect for general standards of advertising. The advertising industry-regulation system is managed through the Advertising Standards Bureau and funded through a voluntary levy administered by the Australian Advertising Standards Council Ltd. Complaints about advertising are determined by the Advertising Standards Board and the Advertising Claims Board. The Advertising Standards Board is made up of a representative cross section of the community, providing a free public complaints resolution service. It considers complaints about any form of published or broadcast advertising in relation to issues including:

• the use of language
• the discriminatory portrayal of people
• concern for children
• portrayal of sex, sexuality and nudity, and
• health and safety.

The Advertising Claims Board provides a competitive claims resolution service on a user-pays cost recovery basis, adjudicating on issues of:

• truth
• accuracy and
• legality of advertising.

With their authority resting on the industry's voluntary adherence to industry-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 industry-regulation came into operation in 1998 following extensive consultation with industry, consumer and government representatives.

Advertising Regulation Useful Links:

The Trade Practices Act
www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au
www.consumer.vic.gov.au
www.consumer.qld.gov.au
www.ocba.sa.gov.au
www.docep.wa.gov.au
www.justice.tas.gov.au/ca

Australian Copyright Act
(AANA Members see also "Intellectual Property Ownership" under Advertising Effectiveness)

Consumer Credit Code

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)

Privacy Act

Spam Act
(AANA Members see also "Australia's New Anti-Spam Laws" under Advertising Effectiveness)

Gambling / Gaming
Please refer to State or Territory Governments for details of regulations and guidelines.

Media Clearance Procedures Useful Links:

Australian Publishers Bureau - Tel: 02 9954 9790 Commercial Radio Advertising Standard
Outdoor Advertising Association of Australia
Free TV Australia 
Commercial Television Australian Code of Practice

Please Note: This list is intended to provide you with information on useful websites and contacts only. AANA recommends that you seek legal advice to ensure adherence to all necessary regulations in advertising.

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