Changes recommended to further restrict advertising to children
UPDATE 8/12/16:
As part of the process to prepare a response to the Panel’s recommendations the ASA decided to consult further on two significant code changes. All submitters and ASA members were contacted on 23/11/16 and asked to respond to questions on how to clearly identify advertisements that target children and on the proposal to use the Food and Beverage Classification System and the interim process to define “occasional food and beverage products”.
The ASA is committed to implementing the new Code in a timely manner and the deadline for the consultation is 9 December, 2016. The ASA intends to respond to the Panel’s recommendations as soon as practicable after this date.
The panel that reviewed the Advertising Standards Authority’s Children’s Codes has recommended an increased range of restrictions in its report to the ASA, released today.
The panel, chaired by former Court of Appeal Judge, Hon. Sir Bruce Robertson, included senior representatives from the health sector and industry, along with the Deputy Chair of the Advertising Standards Complaints Board.
ASA Chair, Hon. Heather Roy, thanked panel members and submitters for their contribution to the review process and said “The ASA Governance Board has tabled the panel’s report and is considering its recommendations. The ASA will release a response to the report in the coming weeks.”
The ASA’s intention to review its Children’s Codes was included in the list of initiatives announced by the Government in its Childhood Obesity Plan in October 2015.
The panel has made seven recommendations including the adoption of a new combined code to cover advertising to children and young people.
To view the full Report on the Review of the Children’s Code for Advertising Food and the Code for Advertising to Children please click here.
To view all submissions to the Children’s Codes Review Panel please click here.
To view a PDF version of the media release please click here.
To view the Food and Beverage Classification System (referred to in the Report) please click here.
