Alcohol

 

Uploaded November 2018.

See individual countries for updates.

Alcohol

A. Overview

Sector

SECTION A OVERVIEW

 

Updates

Sector reviewed by RO Feb 2020

Links refreshed Sept 2020

WIM Reference Dec 2020

SNS rules May 2021

IARD Influencer Global standards Sept 2021

International context October 2021

Wine Communication Standards 2022

Prohibited and controlled advertising (EN)
Wistrand March 28, 2023 (Inc. alcohol)

New ICC Code (EN) September 19, 2024

TikTok's updated alcohol policy Oct 2024

 

INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT 

 

Advertisers/ agencies should be aware of two influences that may have an impact on regulation of their business/ advertising. In the context of Europe’s ‘Beating Cancer Action Plan’, there may be some impact on self-regulation of alcohol advertising. The second is the WHO's Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030. The board requested 'a technical report on the harmful use of alcohol related to cross-border alcohol marketing, advertising and promotional activities, including targeting youth and adolescents.' That report from May 2022 is here. The January 2022 draft action plan is here.

 

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NATIONAL SNAPSHOT

  • Heavily restricted marketing to ‘particular moderation’; no TV, radio
  • Minimum age permitted to target 25; 20 for website access
  • Activity confined to brands below 15% ABV in size-limited print
  • Content may be only  product elements e.g. origins, raw materials 
  • Some limited outdoor & online activity permitted; no e.g. pop-ups
  • Warning messages to specific format in all permitted channels 

 

 

LEGISLATION 

 

The establishing legislation and defining context is the 2010 Alcohol Act (EN key clauses), Alkohollag 2010:1622 (SW). The act regulates the manufacture, import/ export, selling and marketing of alcohol, defined as over 2.25% ABV. It allows content-controlled marcoms for alcohol brands below 15% ABV to be placed in print and some limited online and direct marketing presence, but bans Radio and TV.  From Chapter 7, S1: 

 

  • Any marketing that is permitted must observe ‘particular moderation’
  • Advertising and other marketing measures may not be insistent, intrusive or encourage the use of alcohol
  • Marketing may not be directed to or depict children or young people who have not yet reached the age of 25

 

Further specific content rules from the act are: ‘images in commercial advertisements for alcohol may only show the product, or the raw materials included in the product, individual packaging or trademarks and other comparable distinctive marks. The text must give a factual, balanced and reliable portrayal of the marketed alcoholic drink – for example its origins, raw materials, characteristics and use.’

 

HEALTH WARNINGS AND GUIDELINES 

 

There is an additional requirement to include in print advertising a series of health warnings to particular formatting, shown in the linked document. To complement/ interpret the legislation are two forms of guidance, which overlap to some extent. The first and  the more ‘official’ is from the Swedish Consumer Agency, a consumer authority with statutory powers, who publish Alcohol Advertising Guidelines (EN), (SW). The second is solid industry guidance in the form of Alcohol Advertising Recommendations (SW) (EN). The Recommendations are established by trade associations for all the alcohol sectors (Beer, Wine, Spirits) and by the association of Swedish advertisers, and administered by AGM, the Inspectorate. 

 

 

CHANNEL OVERVIEW

 

  • Alcohol advertising is prohibited on TV and Radio  
  • There is no mention of the use of advertising in cinema in any of the regulatory sources we have checked (which is all of them). According to the Self-Regulatory Organisation RO, it is not permitted on account of the general rule that particular moderation must be observed when marketing alcoholic beverages to consumers
  • Print is allowed for products under 15% ABV, provided that it does not occupy more 2,100 column millimetres (tabloid format); this does not apply to publications supplied only at the point of sale. Health Messages must be included in advertising in ‘periodical publications'; see print section below and Content Section B  
  • Some online advertising is permitted as referenced above; see Online Commercial Communications in Section C
  • Direct Postal Mail (DPM) is permitted under certain conditions; see below
  • Outdoor advertising: ‘The main rule is that outdoor advertising of alcohol is incompatible with the requirement of particular moderation’. There is some limited presence allowed at ‘points of sale and manufacture.’
  • The marketing of alcoholic drinks (where this is permitted) may only occur in cases where at least 70% of the recipients of the information are 25 or over
  • The Content rules set out in our following Section B, which severely restrict what can be shown in advertising, apply to all channels including those online, except that Health Messages are stipulated only for periodical publications (including online editions)
 

ONLINE AND DIRECT CHANNELS

 

As above, some marketing is permitted on own websites; age verification is required, and on those pages containing the marketing of alcoholic drinks, the applicable age limit must be clearly stated. The same content provisions (essentially, only the product and relevant ingredients can be shown) apply online. For ‘Direct’ advertising: ‘The main rule is that it is incompatible with the requirement of particular moderation to market alcoholic beverages through direct marketing. However, on the express request of the consumer, such marketing is considered permissible. Notwithstanding the above, addressed mailshots are permitted provided that: 1. The advertisement is addressed to persons over 25 years old, 2. The advertisement is communicated in sealed and opaque envelopes, 3. It is clear that the letter contains alcohol advertising, and 4. The content of the shipment meets the requirement of special moderation. Regular direct mail from the grocery trade, comprising a variety of goods, may include the marketing of beverages whose alcoholic strength does not exceed 3.5% ABV, provided that the advertising complies with the requirement of particular moderation.’ From the Consumer Agency Alcohol Advertising Guidelines 2016, S6.

 

All of the above points derive from a mix of the Alcohol Act, Sections 1-7 and Consumer Agency Guidelines (CAG); further information by medium is in the channel section C below.

 

ADJUDICATIONS

 

Alcohol Ads Declared Illegal By Highest Swedish Court

Movendi February 2022 re Mackmyra whiskey. Ad here

 

There are two main sources of advertising rulings in Sweden. The conventional source is the Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO), in this case RO, who normally carry out the SRO adjudication function either via their leadership or, for more complicated cases or those without precedent, via their jury RON. In the case of Alcohol, however, RO take a back seat to the Consumer Agency (KO), essentially the Ombudsman, ‘a government agency whose task is to safeguard consumer interests.’ The KO, or others, will bring proceedings against advertisers considered to have breached the terms of the Alcohol Act in this instance (more broadly, the Marketing Act). There is now a two-step system, Instead of the single instance Marketing Court system. First step is Patent- och marknadsdomstolen (the Patent and Market Court) and the second step is Patent- och marknadsöverdomstolen (the Court of Appeal). The PMÖD decisions can be found here. Another source, the trade association inspectorate AGM referenced earlier, does not appear to provide multiple rulings; the link is to the Decisions tab on their website. 

 

GENERAL RULES 

 

While the conditions for alcohol advertising are very specific in Sweden, it's important that the rules for all product sectors, shown below under the General tab, are also observed; adjudications against Alcohol advertising may well come from general misleadingness or taste and decency rules, for example. The principal source of rules for all advertising content is the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communication Code (EN 2018; 2024 code here), on which RO bases its decisions. Equally important in this context is the Marketing Act 2008:486, which transposes UCPD 2005/29/EC and provides the legislative cornerstone of marketing rules in Sweden.

 

 

 

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Read more

General

SECTION A OVERVIEW

 

Updates since July 2022 (slimmed)

BMW iX environmental claim ruled misleading 

Ad re above is here (SW) July 2022 ruling

Environmental claims: the use of ‘Ecolabels’
Above from lawyers Vinge/ Lex October 2022

Lufthansa case (SW) November 2022

Proposed fossil fuel ad ban March 2023 (SW)

Motion linked above; Ro commentary here (SW)

Controlled advertising in Sweden. Wistrand/ Lex

Use of superlatives. Vinge/ Lex July 10, 2023

Influencer fined 1mil k by P&M court (SW)

Above from Dagens Opinion October 27, 2023

Above for 'home baking', vego and soft cheese

Marketing And Pricing Information In The Spotlight

Lindahl Dec 29, 2023 re influencers & sales

Greenwashing review. Berggren Oy Jan 24, 2024

Latest RO decisions; thin models (SW) Feb 2, 2024

Ro newsletter Mar 27, 2024. Misleading prices (SW)

Latest Ro decisions; more thin models. April 26, 2024

Ro newsletter June 17, 2024. 'Stupid' Norwegians (SW)

New ICC Code September 19, 2024 (EN)

 

SNAPSHOT
  • A market restricted more than most, especially regarding minors 
  • Relatively unusual system; marketing cases often in the courts
  • Market sensitive to gender/ stereotyping, environmental issues 
  • Influencer marketing identification also high profile; recent case
  • The SRO Reklamombudsmannen base decisions on ICC Code 

 

NEWS/ ISSUES

 

New ICC Code September 19, 2024 (EN)

Above translated Nov 2024, applicable January 2025

RO seminar March 7 re ad identification in influencer marketing (SW)

New rulings on discrimination in advertising (SW) Nov 1, 2023

Includes some new criteria for gender-discriminatory advertising

Advertising & Marketing 2023 Sweden October 17 Chambers

 

THE SRO’S GENERAL RULES

 

The Swedish Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO) is Reklamombudsmannen (RO), more formally the Advertising Ombudsman. RO assess complaints according to rules from the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Advertising and Marketing Communications Code, which is linked here (EN 2018, updated September 2024 here) and translated here (SW 2018). Rules are available from the linked document above; the most important are spelt out in our content section B below.

 

THE MARKETING ACT

 

The other significant influence on advertising rules in Sweden is statutory: the Marketing Act 2008:486 (EN), which in Sweden provides the cornerstone of communications legislation, provides rules from the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005/29/EC. The Act also transposes other European marketing/ privacy legislation such as Directive 2000/31/EC on information society services (e-Commerce), and Directive 2002/58/EC on the protection of privacy in electronic communications, meaning that a number of European marketing eggs are in a single Swedish basket. There's a helpful Q&A on misleading advertising practices in Sweden from Wistrand via Lexology here (EN; March 2023) and Prohibited and controlled advertising in Sweden from Wistrand here (EN; also March, 2023). Relevant rules are shown in our content section B and channel section C below, as applicable. The transposition of Directive 2019/2161 (the 'Omnibus Directive') introduces new rules into the Marketing Act and the Price Information Act, amongst others less relevant to this database. The government's bill here (SW) amends the Price Information act under Article 2.2 for promotional pricing rules and the Marketing Act under 2.4 for criteria in search rankings and the legitimacy of consumer reviews (sections 12b and 12c respectively). Transposition is faithful to the Directive. 

 

APPLYING THE RULES

 

Day-to-day application of the rules is by RO, per the normal self-regulatory process. However, there is an additional procedure in Sweden: if the case arouses the interest of the Swedish Consumer Agency, a significant influence in marketing regulation, adjudication is via the Patent and Market Courts. A complaint can be taken to court by the Consumer Agency as well as by competitors or a group of consumers/ traders/ workers. For some perspective, here are The Market Court's decisions from 2000 to 31 August 2016; these are in Swedish, but there's a translation facility on the site which provides the gist. The Consumer Agency publishes a number of guidance papers in marketing and advertising; some of these are shown in our content and channel sections below. The general advertising and promotional environment in Sweden is somewhat restrictive and conservative.

 

NATIVE AND INFLUENCER 

 

The ICC’s Guidance on Native Advertising (EN) is based on the ICC Code (EN 2018, updated September 2024 hereitself, drawing on articles 7 and 8 (Identification and Identity), B1 and C1 (Sponsorship and Digital communications respectively). Clauses from the guidance are set out in full in channel section C. The Marketing Act’s (EN) Section 9 similarly requires clarity that advertising is advertising: ‘All marketing shall be formulated and presented in such a way that it is clear that it is a matter of marketing’. In May 2016, the Nordic Consumer Ombudsmen jointly published their ‘Position on Hidden Marketing’ (SW / EN), and the Swedish representative also publishes Guidance on Marketing in Social Media (SW / EN) video here (SW), which covers influencers primarily, requiring that influencer posts are very clear that they are paid for - the likes of 'in collaboration with' don't cut it. See below and our channel section C for more. 

 

Three key cases

 

The first case in Swedish courts about ad identification in social media - the ‘Kissie case’ re a well-known Swedish blogger and influencer Alexandra Nilsson - is linked here in Swedish; English commentary here from Lexology. According to RO, the court set a high standard, in line with RO's decisions. Among the rulings are that it must be clear when a post has been paid for and the identification itself must also be clear - i.e. its position within the post/ blog must be prominent. See pps 42 and 43 of the linked case, unofficially translated here. This case is likely to result in new rules being issued, probably by the Consumer Agency. A second significant case regarding Influencer posts on behalf of an eyewear company, and whether all posts versus contracted posts qualify as marketing communications, is here (EN) courtesy of AWA/ Lex. The third case, reported by Lindahl/ Mondaq December 29, 2023 here, is re Clean Eating AB and the influencer Katrin Zytomierska, recently judged to have contravened the Marketing Act.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS

 

Vinge on EU green claims and Swedish law 

June 18, 2024 (EN)

Greenwashing review. Berggren Oy Jan 24, 2024

Proposed fossil fuel ad ban March 2023 (SW). Parliamentary motion from Social Democrats referred Dec 2022

Swedish Court forbids “net-zero” claims based on climate compensation. Bird&Bird LLP/ Lex Feb 21, 2023

Lufthansa case (SW) November 2022 re carbon offsetting

 

This is, as you might imagine, a high profile issue in Sweden. Guidance on environmental claims in advertising is from the Swedish Consumer Agency (link is to the relevant section in Google English; translated properly in our content section B under point 2.3); the  guidance draws on the principles within Chapter D - Environmental claims in marcoms - of the ICC Code (EN 2018, updated September 2024 here). Also providing guidance is The ICC framework for responsible environmental marcoms (November 2021, in Swedish here and commentary from Ro newsletter here), which includes an environmental claims checklist under Appendix I. The Nordic Consumer Ombudsmen 'Use of Ethical and Environmental-related Claims in marketing' is here in Swedish and translated here. The definitive guidance at the EU level is the December 2021 Commission Notice on the interpretation and application of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive; section 4.1.1 for environmental claims. The Ro newsletter of October 2021 included this brief review of 'greenwashing' (SW) together with some recent cases and in December 2021 an Innocent juice case (SW) was published: complaint upheld because of insufficient evidence of the environmental benefits shown in the commercial, an English version of which is here (the commercial is now removed; this pressure group video includes what appears to be a large part of it). There is a detailed segment on environmental claims in our following content section B. The WFA launched their Planet Pledge in April 2021 and Global Guidance on Environmental Claims April 2022. On 7 October 2021, Google launched a new monetization policy for Google advertisers, publishers and YouTube creators that will prohibit ads for, and monetization of, content that contradicts well-established scientific consensus around the existence and causes of climate change. More here. DLA Piper's August 2024 Environmental Advertising Claims Guide includes Sweden in its comprehensive coverage.

 

PRICING

 

This piece Dec 29, 2023 from Lindahl/ Mondaq reports that the Swedish Consumer Agency is "carrying out a comprehensive examination of companies' price reduction campaigns during the autumn in order to investigate retailers' compliance with the new rule on price information." This relates to the new rules shown below regarding amends to the PPD 

 

ECJ '30 day' judgement Aldi promotional pricing Sept 24, 2024

The case is here; Pinsent Oct 4 commentary here 

 

Generic pricing rules applicable to all advertising are from the Marketing Act (EN) in Sections 10 and 12 and the Price Information Act - English translation here - which requires the trader to provide accurate and clear pricing information on products; in particular Sections 7-10 must be observed when marketing a product with a stated price, also as per Section 2, the Swedish Consumer Agency’s regulations on price information KOVFS 2012:1, guidance here (links are to the Swedish originals; details and translations where required are in our later Content Section B). The Marketing Act Section 12, which transposes the pricing elements of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005/29/EC, deals with the rules when communicating an ‘Invitation to Purchase’. Again, details in content section B. The European position provides amendments from the Directive 2019/2161, which established in the Product Pricing Directive (PPD) 98/6/EC a new article 6a which sets out provisions for reduced/ promotional pricing (see ECJ case above). Transposition in Sweden is via the government bill here (SW) under article 2.2. Commission guidance for the application of the article is here.

 

CHILDREN

 

There’s a common perception that advertising to children is entirely prohibited in Sweden. Not the case, though it is a particularly sensitive issue that should be treated with some care. Clearly, children are protected from sectors that they are not permitted to use, such as alcohol (advertising is prohibited to those under the age of 25), or gambling which may not be aimed at under 18s. Meanwhile, the rules for all product sectors are that advertising on television may not appeal to children under 12, according to The Radio and TV Act 2010:696 (EN unamended version, SW amended version here). A separate rule from the Marketing Act Section 7, applicable in all media, requires that advertising may not exhort those under the age of 18 to buy advertised products or persuade their parents or other adults to buy advertised products for them. The Swedish Consumer Agency’s Guidance on marketing aimed at children and young people is an important influence in this context. A document that shows the original Swedish with a translation is here. The rules on communicating to children are covered in depth in a separate sector available from the home page of this website.

 

STEREOTYPING

 

Gender portrayal in Sweden is highly sensitive and subject to special criteria. The ICC Code (2018) article 2 (part): ‘Marketing communications should respect human dignity and should not incite or condone any form of discrimination, including that based upon ethnic or national origin, religion, gender, age, disability or sexual orientation’ is supplemented by RO with further criteria under three topics (original Swedish here; see above under News/ Issues):

 

  1. Advertising that objectifies: advertising that portrays people as sex objects, for example via clothing, pose and context, in a way that can be considered to be degrading. What is considered to be degrading is influenced, among other things, by whether the person has a connection to the product and how and where the advertising has been shown;
  2. Stereotyping in advertising: advertising that portrays people in stereotypical gender roles and which can be considered to describe or convey a degrading presentation of women or men;
  3. Advertising that is degrading in any other way and therefore is obviously gender discriminatory.

 

There’s an example case here (SW) re the Suit Supply company. The ad is here.

See also the Sambla loans case re 'older craftsmen' here; ad taken down

 

CHANNEL RULES

 

As well as what you can say, there are rules for where you can say it, to whom and when, and the information that must by law be included in, for example, some electronic communications. These rules apply to all products. Our channel section C sets them out by medium; this para is a brief summary with links to the regulations and guidance documents.

 

As above under the Children sub-head, the Radio and TV Act 2010:696 (EN) prohibits appeal to children ('Advertising ……may not aim to capture the attention of children under the age of twelve’), and sets out other rules on advertising, sponsorship and product placement in broadcasting, in line with the AVMS Directive 2010/13/EU. Directive 2018/1808 extends the scope of the AVMSD to e.g. video-sharing platforms; the Swedish transposition 2020:875 of this is here. Consent and information rules in the use of cookies and electronic communications is regulated by Sections 19-21 of the Marketing Act (EN) and the Electronic Communications Act ECA - law No. 2003:389 (EN), implementing the e-Privacy Directive 2002/58/EC. See How to be Cookie-compliant in Sweden from Bird&Bird November 17, 2023. The Act on Electronic Commerce 2002:562 (SW) implemented the e-Commerce Directive 2000/31/EC, which requires that ‘Information Society services’ provide certain information - details in our channel section C, or see the linked document. The Swedish Consumer Agency publish a number of advertising guidelines, the most significant of which in this context is their Guidance on Marketing In Social Media (SW / EN), also linked earlier. Details in channel section C with other rules on, for example, native advertising and marketers' own websites.

 

GDPR

 

Privacy issues should be reviewed with specialist advisors 

 

Q&A: protecting privacy and confidentiality in Sweden (EN)
Advokatfirman Delphi. June 10, 2024 (exc data protection legislation)

Privacy Sandbox news and updates

1.1 Million Euro fine for Profiling. Härting Rechtsanwälte/ Lex July 4, 2023


The General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR) applied directly in all EU member states from 25 May 2018, replacing the Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC. The European Commission page on GDPR is here. The GDPR is accompanied by Directive 2016/680, which is largely concerned with supervising procedures, and should have been transposed into member states’ legislation by 6 May 2018. Nationally, the former Personal Data Act 1998:204 is repealed, and replaced by Law 2018:218 (SW), which ’complements’ the GDPR with some supplementary provisions. Personal data processing issues occur across multiple channels, and in each case lawful processing rules from the GDPR may apply. The Swedish Authority for Privacy Protection is Integritetsskyddsmyndigheten (IMY); the article linked above suggests some flexing of muscles. See our section C for more information on rules by channel. 

 

 

 

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International

SECTION A OVERVIEW

 

Updates since Nov 2022 (slimmed)
 

DLA Piper Global Influencer guide 

Coke's aspirational claims are not actionable

FKK&S/ Lex November 20, 2022

Meta’s Ad Practices Ruled Illegal Under E.U. Law. Jan

Proposal for a Directive on Green Claims

Cheat sheet EU Digital Acts April 23, 2023

Green Initiatives mainly in Europe April 2023

Our assembly of some key EU 'green' requirements

A brief guide to EU institutions. April 25, 2023

Self-regulation globally. FKK&S April 27, 2023

EASA Influencer Disclosure pan-Europe July 2023

EU Influencer Legal Hub. Posted October 2023

IAB Europe Guide to Quality February 2024

IAB Cookie Readiness report February 2024

CJEU rules on IAB's TCF. Hunton March 8, 2024

Council Influencer conclusions May 14, 2024

Bird & Bird on the above May 31, 2024

EASA Policy Newsletter May 21 2024 Topics Influencers, airlines greenwashing, ADR, EU elections 

EASA Annual Review 2023 May 28, 2024

IAB Europe commitments, policy principles 2024-29

Osborne Clarke Aug 29 commentary on above here 

IMCO September 2024 newsletter Sept 30, 2024

Emerging Advertising Law Issues in Asia Pacific 

GALA September 24, 2024 (Aus, India, Japan, NZ)

* Recommended read 

New ICC Code September 19, 2024

Press release here and key changes here 

 French trans November 7, 2024

 

ISSUES/ NEWS/ COMMENTARY

 

A Chat with ICAS - What Are Ad Law’s Global Hot Topics?

BBB National Programs. October 10, 2024 Audio

Recycling claims mislead consumers:

legal analysis for EU & UK markets Client Earth Oct 2, 2024

Google overturns 1.5 bil fine in EU ad case

AP News Sept 18, 2024. Stibbe here (EN) Oct 2

EASA Newsletter September 27, 2024

 

AI

The AI Convention CSC Sept 12, 2024 here

EASA newsletter update AI legislation Aug 2024

AI is Everywhere - What about advertising?
BBB National Programs Aug 7, 2024 (audio)

AI Global Regulatory Update. Eversheds Sutherland Feb 22, 2024

EU AI Act: first regulation on artificial intelligence. June 2023

Visual summary of the EU's AI Act's risk levels here 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS/ INFORMATION/ DD

 

Stichting Milieudefensie v. Shell. Freshfields November 6, 2024

The Hague becomes world’s first city to pass law banning fossil fuel-related ads

The UK Guardian September 13, 2024

 

There's an almost constant barrage of new and developing rules and regulations all around the world on this issue and especially in Europe, which is where we start. We think it's helpful first to distinguish between 'consumer' rules i.e. those that apply to business-to-consumer communications, and 'corporate' rules, which are those that apply to corporate 'ESG' reporting and financial services sector to investors, though the former ad rules will also apply to the financial sector when they advertise (the corporate reporting and due diligence rules don't per se apply in advertising, but we include them later so as to complete 'the green picture'). Anyway, consumer rules first as that's where most of our interests lie. In Europe, you need to be aware in particular of two directives driving the commercial communications elements of the 'Green deal' agenda:

 

1. The 'Empco' Directive 2024/825, full title and directive here, which was in force from March 2024, meaning that member states have until September 2026 to implement. Basically, and for our purposes, the Directive is an amendment of the seminal UCPD 2005/29/EC which forms the cornerstone of consumer protection rules in Europe. New environmentally-specific clauses are added to the 'blacklist' and e.g self-certification is banned. There's a good summary here from Taylor Wessing. Clauses are placed in our following content section B. 

 

2. The Green Claims Directive. The Commission pages on the proposed new law, which has new requirements for substantiation and verification of green claims, are here. The European Parliament is expected to reach final agreement before the end of 2024; there's likely to be an extended implementation period. A good June 2024 summary here from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and EASA's update, also June 2024, here.

 

Lawyer commentary

 

Standards for Claims of “Carbon Neutral” and “Climate Friendly” 

Formosan Brothers October 4, 2024

UK / EU / International ESG Regulation monthly round-up 
Hogan Lovells 
July 2024 pub'd Aug 9, 2024

Katjes 'Climate Neutral' & Green Claims Globally

Herbert Smith Freehills/ Lex July 10, 2024

The Green Claims Directive on its way to adoption
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer June 18, 2024

Directive Empowering Consumers for Green Transition in force
Taylor Wessing Mar 21, 2024 and Womble Bond Apr 11, 2024

 

Corporate & financial reporting and due diligence

 

CSDDD FAQs Proskauer October 4, 2024

FAQs on the implementation of the EU corporate sustainability reporting rules

From the Commission August 7, 2024. Ropes & Gray unpack them here

 

As this aspect of the green deal is not directly ad-related and as there's so much ground to cover, we've linked the information here

This analysis of the four key directives from White & Case July 8, 2024 is helpful in explaining their roles and see also Regulation Across Jurisdictions from Sidley Austin July 17, 2024 

  

INFLUENCER MARKETING 

 

Understanding consumer law when conducting influencer marketing
campaigns in the EU and UK.
BCLP October 7, 2024

 

This is a high profile and somewhat controversial (in regulatory terms) marketing technique that’s deployed right across the world. Most jurisdictions, in Europe at any rate, publish specific rules or guidelines, be they from statutory consumer protection authorities increasingly involved or, more frequently, self-regulatory organisations. The big and consistent issue is obviously identification when a post is an ad, when it's been incentivised in some way; less consistent is the way that authorities require that identification to be made, so check the rules/ guidelines in each country. A number including the US and Canada, Belgium, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Australia and China have been assembled by the admirable DLA Piper in their Global Influencer Guide published 2022. For other international rules/ guidelines see ICPEN's Guidelines for Digital Influencers, which dates back to 2016 and the IAB's 2018 Content & Native Disclosure Good Practice Guidelines. August 7, 2024 GALA discuss ARPP's (French self-reg organisation) Certificate of Responsible Influence here and EASA's (the European self-regulatory network) expansion of that is set out here

 

The European Commission got interested some time ago and has issued various edicts/ hubs/ guidelines, as is its wont:

The Commission publish The Influencer Legal hub 'These resources are for anyone making money through creating social media content.' and 'The information in the Influencer Legal Hub reflects the position of the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network which adopted the 5 Key Principles on Social Media Marketing Disclosures.' On May 14, 2024, the EU Council  approved ‘Conclusions on ways to support influencers as online content creators in the EU.’ Bird&Bird on that here June 12.

 

The USA

 

In the US, the key rule maker is the FTC (Federal Trade Commission, a government agency), which issues a number of guidelines, the most important of which are:

 

Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers 

FTC Requirements For Influencers: Guidelines and Rules
Termly Feb 2, 2024 published FTC Requirements For Influencers: Guidelines and Rules,
a good summary by platform

 

In self-regulation, the National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) make available a number of cases here; the BBB's ad code is here, clause 30 Testimonials and Endorsements. The key issue, defined by FTC and deployed by NAD, is any 'material connection' between advertiser and influencer and the adequacy of its disclosure, which must be 'clear and conspicuous.' See the US 'general rules' database on this website for more.

 

India 

 

 ASCI's June 2021 Guidelines for Influencer advertising in digital media (link to a downloadable pdf). Additionally, from the CCPA's Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements 2022 (CCPA guidelines): 14. Disclosure of material connection (the same term used by ASCI). 'Where there exists a connection between the endorser and the trader, manufacturer or advertiser of the endorsed product that might materially affect the value or credibility of the endorsement and the connection is not reasonably expected by the audience, such connection shall be fully disclosed in making the endorsement.' In January 2023 the Department of Consumer Affairs, who administer the Consumer Protection Act, issued 'Endorsement know-hows'  on when and how to disclose a 'material relationship.' Commentary from SS Rana/ Lex here. Additional Influencer Guidelines for Health and Wellness Celebrities, Influencers and Virtual Influencers August 10, 2023 by the Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) is here. Summary of Influencer rules from Kan & Krishme/ GALA December 7, 2023 is here.

 

1. SELF-REGULATION: GENERAL RULES 
1.1 The ICC Code
 
The ICC Code is in the process of update May 2024. Expected 'second half 2024' :
 
This International sector provides largely self-regulatory rules that apply across several jurisdictions/ countries, so the content is the same under each country and product sector. For the time being, we are largely interpreting 'International' as Europe, though as the service expands, so will this section. The rules are primarily from the ICC, the International Chamber of Commerce, whose Advertising and Marketing Communications Code ('the Code'), the most recent version of which was announced in September 2024, underpins much of self-regulation worldwide.
 
Most countries feature national advertising self-regulatory codes which draw their main principles from the ICC Code, whilst a number of countries apply its provisions directlly - Belgium, Finland and Sweden, for example - so it can be regarded as a solid reflection of the regulatory picture across Europe and beyond. It would be very unlikely that any ICC rule would significantly differ from a specific country or sector clause addressing the same issue, but the latter may have more nuance or cultural context and will, of course, prevail as the principal source of regulation. So you can use these ICC rules in two ways: as a sound 'first pass' if you want a general picture of what you can or can't say across a number of countries, or as a surrogate for, and access to, countries that we don't currently cover and where rules may be inaccessible. The ICC provide several translations of their code (2024 to follow); ICAS, the International Council for Advertising Self-Regulation, list most if not all of the providers of self-regulation around the world. 
 
1.2 Guidance and EASA
 
Where the ICC is the principal source for 'umbrella' rules, another important source, in this case of advice and good practice, is EASA, the European Advertising Standards Alliance, which describes itself as the 'single authoritative voice on advertising self-regulation issues in Europe'. EASA's Best Practice Recommendations (BPRs) are valuable guidance on, for example, the distinction between paid and unpaid communications. These documents are placed and linked in relevant channels within the text in each country or can be found via the earlir llnk.
 
1.3 Structure and scope of the ICC Code

 

The latest ICC Code was published September 18, 2024 

 

The code is structured in two main sections: General Provisions and Chapters. General Provisions sets out fundamental principles and other broad concepts that apply to all marketing in all media. Code chapters apply to specific marketing areas, including Sales Promotions (A) Sponsorship (B) Direct Marketing & Digital Marketing Communications (C) Environmental Claims in Marketing Communications (D) and Teens and Children (E). The Code 'should also be read in conjunction with other current ICC codes, principles and framework interpretations in the area of marketing and advertising':


ICC Guide for Responsible Mobile Marketing Communications

Mobile supplement to the ICC Resource Guide for Self-Regulation of Interest Based Advertising

ICC Framework for Responsible Marketing Communications of Alcohol

ICC Resource Guide for Self-Regulation of Online Behavioural Advertising

ICC Framework for Responsible Environmental Marketing Communications (2021)

ICC Framework for Responsible Food and Beverage Marketing Communication

ICC International Code of Direct Selling

 

Key rules are set out in the following content section B and channel section C, as applicable

 

Children

 

  • Article 18 of the General Provisions of the ICC Code (2018) covers children and teens at some length. The new (Sept 2024) code adds a whole new chapter E on Children and Teens as well as articles 20 and 22 under General Provisions and  articles C5 and 17.8 under Chapter C, Data-driven Marketing, Direct Marketing, and Digital Marketing Communications
  • Also worthy of note is the International Consumer Protection Enforcement Network (ICPEN), a network of consumer protection agencies from over 60 countries, who publish Best Practice Principles for Marketing Practices Directed Towards Children Online (June 2020) 
  • On the home page of this website, you'll find a complete children's sector with the rules spelt out country by country 

 

Lawyer commentary 

Kids and Teens Online Safety and Privacy Roundtable

Baker Mckenzie July 26, 2023. Canada UK and USA. Video

EU: Two Key Decisions Highlight Issues When Handling Children's Data

Collyer Bristow/Lex 21 June, 2023

 

1.4 Sector and channel rules 

 

The rules are both 'horizontal', i.e. they apply across product sectors, and the ICC also publish 'vertical' sector-specific framework rules such as those for Alcohol, or Food and Beverages (as linked above). While these rules are referenced in the sections that follow, we don't extract them in full as these product sectors are covered by specific databases on this website. These sector rules in particular need to be read with a) the general rules that apply to all product sectors and b) the specific legislation and self-regulation that frequently surrounds regulation-sensitive sectors. Channel rules from the ICC Code, such as those for OBA, are shown within the relevant sub-heads under our channel section C, together with the applicable European legislation.

 

2. THE LAW
European Regulations and Directives

 

 
We draw extensively on European directives and their national implementation in the sector and general rules shown elsewhere on this website. In this international context, we show only the most immediately relevant directives and a brief extract of their rules, together with links to EU Regulations which apply directly in member states. It should not be assumed that directives are always implemented to the letter, but providing them together in one place at least allows a broad understanding of the influences of European legislation. EU Regulations are significant in the food sector of those we cover currently, for example, and it's important at least to be aware of them, albeit rules are reflected in the self-regulatory measures that remain the most important influence in advertising regulation in Europe and elsewhere. A valuable June 2021 piece from Simmons and Simmons/ Lexology Media law and regulation in European Union focuses largely on the AVMS Directive and its amendment by Directive 2018/1808.

 

The issue with European rules is that it can be difficult to understand which regulation applies to which marketing technique or process, especially as some directives apply to several marketing tools. The table below provides an overview; the marcoms-relevant rules are set out in content section B and channel section C, as applicable.
 
European Directives in marketing

 

Issue or channel Key European legislation and clauses
Cookies
The EU ‘Cookies Directive’ 2009/136/EC
articles 5 and 7, which amended the E-Privacy Directive 2002/58/EC
Electronic coms. Consent and Information 
Articles 5 (3) and 13 
E-commerce; related electronic communications
Directive on electronic commerce 2000/31/EC of 8 June 2000 on certain legal aspects of information society services: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2000/31/oj
Articles 5 and 6
Marketing Communications
Directive 2005/29/EC on unfair business-to-consumer commercial practices 
Articles 6, 7, 14 (amendments re comparative advertising), Annex I
December 2021 Commission guidance. See Omnibus Directive below; also amended by the Empco Directive see Environmental Claims section
Audiovisual media 

Directive 2010/13/EU concerning the provision of audiovisual media services (Audiovisual Media Services Directive; consolidated version)
http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2010/13/oj

Directive 2018/1808 extended some rules into especially video-sharing platforms 

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2018/1808/oj

Data Processing 

Regulation 2016/679/EU on the processing of personal data (GDPR) 

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/679/oj

 

THE DMA AND DSA IN EUROPE

 

Two relatively recent arrivals in EU digital platform regulation are the Digital Markets Act (implemented May 2023), aka Regulation (EU) 2022/1925 and its implementing provisions; Commission explanatory pages here and the Digital Services Act, pages here (implemented Feb 2024 for all platforms) aka Regulation 2022 (EU) 2022/2065. The first, as the name implies, is the EU's means of reining in the major digital 'gatekeepers' to ensure 'fairer and more contestable' markets. Somewhat obviously, the rules are aimed at platforms rather than advertisers and agencies, though there are implications for behaviourally targeted advertising. The DSA's main goal 'is to prevent illegal and harmful activities online and the spread of disinformation.' Loosely, this is the EU's Online Safety Act.

 

Shaping The Future Of Tech: Latest Updates On The Digital Markets Act

Quinn Emanuel/ Lex October 10, 2024

 

DATA/ PRIVACY 

 

 Rules for data processing, consent and information in digital communications in Europe are shown above under the Directives table and in our channel section

See the US general rules on this database for privacy/ processing rules in that jurisdiction. Below are some key legal commentaries on this topic

 

Data Protection & Privacy: EU overview. Hunton Andrews Kurth July 3, 2024*

Data Protection update - August 2024. Stephenson Harwood/ Lex

Above covers Australia, China, EU, UK, USA

Consent or pay: one rule for some (large online platforms),

another rule for everyone else? Weil Gotshal & Manges 30/8/24

Meta’s Ad-Free Subscription Violates Competition Law

Adam Satariano NYT July 1, 2024

EDPB Opinion 8/2024 on Pay or Consent April 17. Lexia May 8

EDAA launches new solution to DSA ad transparency requirements

 

THE OMNIBUS DIRECTIVE

 

Report from the Commission to the European parliament and the Council on implementation

June 18, 2024. Commentary from Lewis Silikin July 9, 2024 here (See third entry)
 

Directive 2019/2161, known as the Omnibus Directive but more formally as (deep breath) Directive (EU) 2019/2161 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2019 amending Council Directive 93/13/EEC and Directives 98/6/EC, 2005/29/EC and 2011/83/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the better enforcement and modernisation of Union consumer protection rules sets out new information requirements for search rankings and consumer reviews, new pricing information in the context of automated decision-making and profiling of consumer behaviour, and price reduction information under the Product Pricing Directive 98/6/EC. More directly related to this database, and potentially significant for multinational advertisers, is the clause that amends article 6 (misleading actions) of the UCPD adding ‘(c) any marketing of a good, in one Member State, as being identical to a good marketed in other Member States, while that good has significantly different composition or characteristics, unless justified by legitimate and objective factors’. Recitals related to this clause, which provide some context, are here. Helpful October 2021 explanatory piece on the Omnibus Directive from A&L Goodbody via Lex here. Provisions were supposed to have been transposed and in force in member states by May 28, 2022, though there were several delays, now resolved.

 

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Sections B and C below set out the rules that are relevant to marketing communications from the directives above, together with the self-regulatory measures referenced under point 1 in this overview.

 

 

COMPENDIA, FORECASTS, VADE MECUMS 

 

As this is reference work rather than current, we have made it available in back-up here 

Advertising, Media and Brands Global Hot Topics Squire Patton Boggs Sept 16, 2024

 

 

 

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Read more

B. Content Rules

Sector

SECTION B CONTENT RULES

 

 

This section is longer than most. To help navigate it, some text is 'anchored' & linked to respective headings immediately below

 

 

1. THE ALCOHOL ACT

2. CONSUMER AGENCY GUIDELINES  (CAG) 

  2.1. Marketing content and design 
  2.2. Presentation in text specifically
  2.3. Presentation of images specifically
  2.4. Advertising in periodical publications etc.
  2.5. Alcohol information texts (See ‘health messages’) below
  2.6. Marketing on the Internet
  Direct Marketing – see channel section C
  Promotions and competitions – see channel section C
  Tastings – see channel section C
  2.7. Risk of confusion in the marketing of light alcohol

3. HEALTH MESSAGES

  3.1. Formatting of health messages

4. ALCOHOL ADVERTISING RECOMMENDATIONS 

  4.1. Communication in text
  4.2. Communication in visuals
  4.3. Designation of origin etc.
  4.4. Alcoholic light drinks 
  4.5. Prohibition of confusion 

5. ICC FRAMEWORK 

6. ADJUDICATIONS/ RULINGS 

 

 

 

The core clauses of the Act, i.e. in this context those that relate to marcoms, are translated here. We have set out immediately below only the key clause, as the Act is spelt out and interpreted/ complemented below by the Consumer Agency Guidelines (CAG). Particular moderation must be observed when marketing alcoholic beverages to consumers. Advertising or other marketing measures may not be insistent or intrusive or encourage the use of alcohol. Marketing may not be particularly directed at or portray children or young people under the age of 25 (Chapter 7, Section 1)

 

Adjudication

 

An adjudication (SW) in the case of the Consumer Ombudsman (KO) against Berntson Brands AB (Jägermeister), with regard to the interpretation of ‘particular moderation’, ruled against the use of ‘a fire show’ in Gothenburg but allowed Jägermeister branded ‘banners, cars and car roof boxes’. The Court held that the use of the banners complied with the requirement of ‘particular moderation’. The same conclusion was drawn in relation to the use of the branded cars and car roof boxes since they were not considered to be intrusive, or seek to encourage consumption. The Consumer Ombudsman (the plaintiff) failed to provide any research showing that a ban on branded cars would discourage misuse

 

 

2.1 Marketing Content and Design

From Section 2 of CAG (EN)

 

  • 2.1 In accordance with the Alcohol Act, particular moderation must be observed in all marketing of alcoholic beverages to consumers. Advertising and other marketing measures may not be insistent, intrusive, or encourage the use of alcohol
  • 2.2 The requirement for the use of particular moderation includes all marketing aimed at consumers, including the selection of media, packaging and labeling, the content and design of the advertising, as well as specific marketing methods
  • 2.3 In accordance with the Alcohol Act, marketing may not be directed towards or depict children or young people who have not yet reached the age of 25
  • The assessment of whether marketing is designed in such a way as to attract children or young people should be based on an overall review. This means that the actual products being marketed, the manufacturer’s presentation as a whole, and the context in which the marketing occurs should be taken into consideration. Symbols or scenarios that can be connected especially with, or which attract children or young people under the age of 25, may not be used

 

Alcohol marketing, except ‘passive’ selling of alcoholic beverages, should only occur in events, such as festivals, where the target group or at least 70% of participants are expected to be over 25 years old

  • 2.4 Persuasive or particularly active marketing is deemed to encourage the use of alcohol and is not permitted
  • 2.5 Marketing should not attract particular attention. The extent of the marketing, the typography, layout, size and location of the marketing shall be assessed according to the degree of moderation
  • Marketing that constitutes a dominant element in the environment, such as an eye-catching poster or extensive product exposure, is not permitted
  • 2.6 Marketing should be limited to relevant facts regarding the product and its characteristics, presented in as objective form as possible without undue elements that are unrelated to alcoholic beverages. Marketing should avoid acting on emotions or moods
  • 2.7 Marketing should not be associated with situations such as driving, sports, violent situations, weapons, drugs, pregnancy, school, or work where, according to generally accepted opinion, alcohol consumption should not occur. This applies to the design of the marketing as well as the context in which it occurs
  • 2.8 Marketing should not imply or give the impression that alcohol consumption improves physical or mental ability, furthers educational or social, sexual and professional success or resolves issues such as loneliness or sadness
  • 2.9 Alcohol consumption and alcoholic beverages should not be presented as being of particular importance in connection with festivals or seasons

 

 

2.2 Presentation in text specifically

 

  • 2.10 Production in text shall comply with the requirements of the Swedish law on particular moderation. Value statements, which are irrelevant in the objective presentation of relevant facts relating to the product, are not consistent with the requirement for particular moderation. Text should focus on informing about the product, for example by indicating origin, raw materials, properties, usage or description of taste
  • Grades and awards stated in other than text form may be consistent with the requirement of particular moderation depending on, inter alia, the nature of the grades or distinctions and how they are presented

 

2.3 Presentation of images specifically

 

  • 2.11 In accordance with the Alcohol Act, commercial advertising may only include reproduction of:
  1. The product or raw materials in the product
  2. Individual packs, or
  3. The trademark or equivalent marks

The above applies to commercial advertising in all media

 

  • 2.12. Images on packaging or labels, for example, may have content other than those specified in 2.11, provided that the image meets the requirement of particular moderation

 

2.4 Advertising in periodical publications etc.
From Section 3 of CAG

 

  • 3.1 In accordance with the Alcohol Act, it is prohibited to use newspaper advertisements in the marketing of alcoholic beverages that contain more than 15% alcohol by volume
  • Publications that are only provided at the point of sale of alcoholic beverages that contain over 15% by volume alcohol may, however, contain press advertisements for such beverages under the Swedish Alcohol Act. It should be possible for such a publication to be sent to a consumer after the consumer has expressly ordered it. The order should state that the consumer is aware that the publication contains such press advertisements

 

  • 3.2 Under the Swedish Alcohol Act, an advertisement may not be bigger than 2,100 column millimetres (tabloid format). The advertisement must also clearly indicate the alcohol content of the beverage marketed but may not present a high alcohol content as a positive feature
  • 3.3 According to the Alcohol Act, the advertisement may not conflict with good practice via the context in which it occurs. The advertising technique must not mislead the consumer. An advertisement must not contain false or deceptive information on alcohol, alcohol consumption or the effects or other properties of alcohol. In addition, an advertisement may not conflict with good practice via the context in which it occurs

 

2.5 Alcohol Information texts

 

  • 3.4 In accordance with the Swedish Alcohol Act, press advertisements must reproduce an information text on the harmful effects of alcohol. The texts to be used, as well as their format, are stated in the Alcohol Ordinance (2010:1636). Note – these are separately provided under point 3. HEALTH MESSAGES below

 

2.6 Marketing on the Internet
From Section 4 of CAG

 

  • When marketing on the Internet, Section 2 should be observed as regards both the technical design and the content of the advertisement. Marketing on the Internet also means marketing in social media, apps and the like
  • The website's homepage should clearly state if it includes the marketing of alcoholic beverages. On the pages containing such marketing, the applicable age limit for the purchase of those marketed beverages should also be clearly stated
  • Advertising designed to attract particular attention, such as pop-ups, may not be used
  • Advertisements on websites that are to be regarded as a supplement to a periodical publication under the Swedish Freedom of the Press Act ('online edition') should be designed in accordance with the regulations on advertisements in periodical publications; see section 3 (point 2.5 above)
  • Other stipulations for Internet marketing, such as age-checking, are placed under the Channel Section C that follows

 

2.7 Risk of confusion in the marketing of light alcoholic beverages (<2.25 % ABV) and alcoholic beverages

 

  • 8.1 In accordance with the Alcohol Act, the marketing of alcoholic light beverages in a commercial advertisement must be such that it cannot be mistaken for marketing of alcoholic beverages. However, this does not apply when the marketing of alcoholic beverages that contain no more than 15% by volume alcohol is permitted
  • The marketing of alcoholic beverages containing no more than 15% by volume of alcohol may not be designed in such a way that it can be confused with beverages with a higher ABV, in accordance with the Alcohol Act
  • Although alcoholic strength should always be stated in marketing, such a task should not in itself be sufficient to prevent the risk of confusion. Instead, the determining factor should be that the content and design of the marketing, when briefly looked at, does not produce associations with beverages with high alcohol contents

 

 

The following information texts shall be used in advertisements in the cases referred to in Chapter 7, Section 7 of the Swedish Alcohol Act 2010:1622 (SW) (EN key clauses)

 

The information texts outlined below can be found in Section 13 of The Ordinance 2010:1636. The ordinance contains regulations that are linked to/ annexed to the Alcohol Act (2010:1622).

 

  • Alkohol kan skada din hälsa (Alcohol can harm your health)
  • Alkohol är beroendeframkallande (Alcohol is addictive)
  • Alkohol kan orsaka nerv- och hjärnskador (Alcohol can cause damage to nerves and the brain)
  • Alkohol kan orsaka skador på lever och bukspottskörtel (Alcohol can cause damage to the liver and pancreas)
  • Alkohol kan orsaka hjärnblödning och cancer (Alcohol can cause cerebral haemorrhage and cancer)
  • Varannan förare som omkommer i singelolyckor i trafiken är alkoholpåverkad (Half of drivers who die in road traffic accidents involving just one vehicle are under the influence of alcohol)
  • Hälften av alla som drunknar har alkohol i blodet (Half of all people who drown have alcohol in their blood)
  • Alkohol i samband med arbete ökar risken för olyckor (Alcohol at work increases the risk of accidents)
  • Alkoholkonsumtion under graviditeten kan skada barnet (Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can damage the child)
  • Barn som får alkohol hemma dricker sig berusade oftare än andra barn (Children who are given alcohol at home drink to intoxication more frequently than other children)
  • Att börja dricka i tidig ålder ökar risken för alkoholproblem (Starting to drink at an early age increases the risk of alcohol problems)

 

3.1. Formatting of Health Messages

 

The information text referred to above shall be:
 

  • Printed in bold Helvetica font
  • Printed with a font size that means that the text covers the greatest possible proportion of the area reserved for it
  • Reproduced in black ink on a white background
  • Centred in the area in which the text is printed
  • Surrounded by a black frame that does not infringe on the area reserved for the information text
  • Placed horizontally and such that it is easy to read and
  • Cover at least 20% of the area of the advertisement

 

If advertising is repeated, the various information texts must be used alternately and, if possible, with equal frequency (Alcohol Act, Section 7)

 

 

These recommendations, from the Association of Swedish Advertisers and Alcohol Trade Industry associations, echo both the Alcohol Act and the Consumer Agency Guidelines, but provide also some valuable additional commentary. We have not shown those clauses that directly overlap with the Alcohol Act and CAG, and many of the recommendations anyway apply to channel and are therefore shown in Section C. The clauses that are shown below are from the 2018 version of the Recommendations, which have been unofficially translated

 

4.1 Communication in text 
(Section 3.2. AAR)

 

  • The marketing of alcoholic beverages should be focused on providing factual and informative elements and give a balanced and valid presentation of the marketed product. This means that communication in the form of e.g. details of the product price, origin, raw materials, use with food that conventionally suits, is compatible with the moderation requirement
    Comment: Alcoholic beverages may be placed in a context as long as it is a responsible one 

  • This means that alcoholic beverages can be part of a meal without it being a necessary accessory. Information such as recipes for suitable dishes should be considered permissible as well as e.g. drinks recipes
  • Direct consumer calls-to-action are not compatible with the moderation requirement
  • Negative communication such as a play on emotions and mood risk transgressing the requirement of moderation
    Comment: Meaning e.g. to give alcoholic drinks as a gift for a holiday or to “celebrate love” through alcohol consumption
  • Value statements, assessments and certificates must be used with caution and in accordance with the Marketing Act and with the ICC advertising rules. Information from Reviewers should be meaningful, balanced and up to date
    Comment: Information about how others rated a product, e.g. descriptions, reviews or grades, is for many people relevant and important knowledge in the choice of a product. However, it is important that these reviews are designed responsibly if they are to be used in marketing
  • Marketing must not, by its design, be associated with situations when according to generally accepted opinion, alcohol consumption should not occur e.g. sports (exercise as well as spectator), work, pregnancy or traffic (driving a vehicle that the average consumer might normally be considered to be driving)
    Comment: The rule aims to prevent marketing being linked to the consumption of alcohol in the workplace, in connection with driving a car, or during pregnancy
  • Marketing must not claim or give the impression that alcohol consumption increases physical or mental ability, promotes social or sexual success or resolves problems such as loneliness or sadness
  • Alcohol consumption should not be made out to be of particular importance during holidays or seasons or that it otherwise enhances an experience
    Comment: It may be communicated that alcoholic drinks are suitable for e.g. Christmas food but it must not be stated that alcohol consumption e.g. "puts gold on the Christmas table". Descriptions such as Christmas aquavit, October party beers, Easter beers etc. are permitted. It should not be conveyed that alcohol consumption is associated / has a natural connection with a certain season (e.g. Spring and consumption of rosé wine)

 

 

4.2. Communication in visuals 
(Section 3.3. AAR)

 

  • According to the Alcohol Act, images in commercial advertising for alcohol may only show an item or commodities included in the product, the individual packaging or the brand or similar feature. This applies to all types of commercial advertising for alcoholic beverages of any medium covered
 
4.3. Designation of Origin etc.
(Section 3.4. AAR)

 

  • According to the Alcohol Act, the use of incorrect or misleading designations of origin by which the beverage directly or indirectly is stated to be manufactured in a region of a foreign state is prohibited. This is the case even if the true origin is stated, or if the term is used only in translation or accompanied by terms such as species, variety, type, replication or similar expression. The provision was created because of Sweden's international obligations in trade and is primarily aimed at countering unfair competition
  • In accordance with good business practice, geographical indications of origin on alcoholic beverages must always be reserved for the original products and cannot be assigned to others. An alcoholic beverage should not be described as "genuine" as it risks diminishing confidence in designations of origin or labeling in general. Also, it is not compatible with good business practice to use another product's good commercial reputation without permission
  • Comment: The starting point is that the marketed product should be able to stand on its own legs. It is therefore not allowed to write e.g. mini-Amarone or that in advertising for another product state that the manufacturer also does e.g. and Amarone. However, there is no obstacle to two different products appearing in the same advertisement and that they are described as e.g. Amarone and Ripasso respectively

 

4.4. Marketing of alcoholic light drinks
(Section 5.1. AAR)

 

  • According to the Alcohol Act, marketing in commercial advertising aimed at consumers and relating to alcoholic light drinks must not be confused with the marketing of alcoholic beverages. This means that the ad must be labeled so that it clearly indicates which product is being marketed. An indication of the alcoholic strength is not in itself sufficient to ensure that there is no likelihood of confusion
  • Therefore, in all advertising, the alcoholic content of the beverage and, for example, the name light beer, class I, or light cider must appear at least once and in such a form that the whole message can easily be read / perceived. The trademark, in the case of a spoken message or a message in the form of a song/ jingle, must be immediately followed by clarification that an alcoholic light drink is being referred to, by stating the name, for example the drink's alcohol content, the name low-alcohol beer, class I, low-alcohol cider or light drink
  • Advertising must not include a disparaging assessment of alcohol-free drinks

 

4.5. Prohibition of confusion between Alcoholic Beverages
(Section 5.2 AAR)

 

  • The Alcohol Act contains a ban on confusion in the marketing of alcoholic beverages below 15% ABV and alcoholic beverages containing more than 15% ABV. This means that the ad must be labeled so that it is clearly stated which product it is that is being marketed. If these are different types of products (e.g. vodka / rum and mixed drinks), the likelihood of confusion is reduced. If the products also have, in whole or in part, different names then there should normally be no likelihood of confusion - especially if there are alcohol content or other clarifications such as e.g. product description

 

 

The ICC Framework for responsible marketing communications of alcohol ‘helps to interpret the fundamental global standards of the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (EN 2018; 2024 code here) to offer more specific guidance on issues unique to this sector.’  The Framework is linked here as much for the record as for practical application as the specific national rules are applicable and clearly more aggressive and prescriptive

 

 

Below are brief references to three cases under the auspices of the forerunner to the Patent and Market Courts (EN), from proceedings brought by the Consumer Agency KO.

 

Case

KO versus Berntson Brands AB

Issue

The company Berntson Brands AB marketed the German alcohol brand Jaegermeister, by performing

a fire show in Gothenburg and using banners, cars and car roof boxes marked with the Jaegermeister brand.

Ruling

The Market Court held that the fire show transgressed the ‘particular moderation’ requirement and the company was therefore prohibited from using such marketing methods. However, the Consumer Ombudsman was unsuccessful in showing that the banners would have constituted a dominating element or been intrusive. Therefore, the Court held that the use of the banners complied with the requirement of ‘particular moderation’. The same conclusion was drawn in relation to the use of the branded cars and car roof boxes since they were not considered to be intrusive, or seek to encourage consumption (Roschier blog)

Link (SW)

http://avgoranden.domstol.se/Files/MD_Public/Avgoranden/Domar/Dom2014-4.pdf

 

 

 

Case

KO versus The Wine Company Hawesko GmbH

Issue

KO had been made aware of unsolicited direct mail advertising to consumers. They regarded the marketing method as incompatible with the requirements of the Alcohol Act on particular moderation. TWC (subsidiary) did not share that opinion and claimed that the alleged marketing was designed in accordance with the Alcohol Advertising Recommendations (from the trade association inspectorate AGM, referenced in our text above)

Ruling

Marketing in this way is not necessarily in conflict with the requirement of particular moderation. Neither the letter nor the information on the wines provided, which is limited to information on the names of the wines, geographical origin, producers and prices, and, in the case of certain wines, a customary description of the nature of the wine and the indication of the food that the wine may suit In this context, it is considered to have contributed to maintaining or increasing consumption of alcohol or contributing to the use of these goods in a manner incompatible with public health protection. The court finds against KO and orders TWC costs are paid

Link (SW)

http://avgoranden.domstol.se/Files/MD_Public/Avgoranden/Domar/Dom2015-7.pdf

 

 

 Case

KO versus Spendrups Bryggeriaktiebolag

Issue

Spendrups, which brews Heineken under license, offered buyers of a six pack Heineken beer to get a DVD with movie sequences from the Champions League, i.e. a ‘combination offer’

Ruling

According to the Market Court, Combination offers do not automatically mean that marketing is in violation of the Alcohol Act. An assessment must instead be made in the context of whether the individual offer meets the particular moderation requirement of the Alcohol Act. The offer connects alcohol with sports, promoting the idea of drinking beer while watching sport. The slogan Spendrups used as well as the illustration of a beer can in the light of a stylised football further reinforce this connection in an immoderate manner. The Court finds against Spendrups.

Link (SW)

http://avgoranden.domstol.se/Files/MD_Public/Avgoranden/Domar/Dom2011-5.pdf

 

 

 

 

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General

SECTION B CONTENT RULES

 

 

The ICC code, on which RO base their adjudications, was updated September 2024 here.
We understand RO will apply the code from Jan 2025 and a translation will be available Nov 2024.

Meanwhile, we show 2018 articles below and link the 2024 version.
This section is longer than most. To help navigate it, some text is 'anchored 'and linked to respective headings immediately below

 

  1. GENERAL RULES

1.1. The ICC Code (2018)

1.2. The Marketing Act

  1. ENVIRONMENTAL RULES

2.1. Chapter D, ICC Code (2018)

2.2. ICC framework environmental marcoms

2.3. Guidance from the Swedish Consumer Agency

2.4. Nordic Ombudsmen Guidance 

2.5. European Commission Guidance 

  1. PRICING

3.1. Marketing Act 2008:486 Sections 10 and 12

3.2. The Price Information Act

3.3. Section 2, Swedish Consumer Agency

3.4. The Competition Act (2008:579)

3.5. The ICC Code (2018)​

  1. STEREOTYPING

  2. ADJUDICATIONS

1. GENERAL RULES

 

Key extracts from the ICC Code (EN 2018; 2024 code here) that applies in Sweden to all product categories are below

Articles below are from the 2018 code. The 2024 code is expected to be applicable January 2025

 

Basic Principles (Art. 1)

 

  • All marketing communications should be legal, decent, honest and truthful
  • All marketing communications should be prepared with a due sense of social and professional responsibility and should conform to the principles of fair competition, as generally accepted in business
  • No communication should be such as to impair public confidence in marketing

 

Social responsibility (Art. 2)

 

  • Marketing communications should respect human dignity and should not incite or condone any form of discrimination, including that based upon ethnic or national origin, religion, gender, age, disability or sexual orientation
  • Marketing communications should not without justifiable reason play on fear or exploit misfortune or suffering
  • Marketing communications should not appear to condone or incite violent, unlawful or anti-social behavior
  • Marketing communications should not play on superstition

 

Decency (Art. 3)

 

  • Marketing communications should not contain statements or audio or visual treatments which offend standards of decency currently prevailing in the country and culture concerned

 

Honesty (Art. 4)

 

  • Marketing communications should be so framed as not to abuse the trust of consumers or exploit their lack of experience or knowledge
  • Relevant factors likely to affect consumers’ decisions should be communicated in such a way and at such a time that consumers can take them into account

 

Truthfulness (Art. 5)

 

  • Marketing communications should be truthful and not misleading
  • Marketing communications should not contain any statement, claim or audio or visual treatment which, directly or by implication, omission, ambiguity or exaggeration, is likely to mislead the consumer, in particular, but not exclusively, with regard to:

 

  • Characteristics of the product which are material, i.e. likely to influence the consumer’s choice, such as: nature, composition, method and date of manufacture, range of use, efficiency and performance, quantity, commercial or geographical origin or environmental impact
  • The value of the product and the total price to be paid by the consumer
  • Terms for delivery, exchange, return, repair and maintenance
  • Terms of guarantee
  • Copyright and industrial property rights such as patents, trade marks, designs and models and trade names
  • Compliance with standards
  • Official recognition or approval, awards such as medals, prizes and diplomas
  • The extent of benefits for charitable causes

 

Substantiation (Art. 6)

 

  • Descriptions, claims or illustrations relating to verifiable facts in marketing communications should be capable of substantiation. Claims that state or imply that a particular level or type of substantiation exists must have at least the level of substantiation advertised. Such substantiation should be available so that evidence can be produced without delay and upon request to the self-regulatory organisations responsible for the implementation of the Code

 

Identification and transparency (Art. 7)

 

  • Marketing communications should be clearly distinguishable as such, whatever their form and whatever the medium used. When an advertisement, including so-called “native advertising”, appears in a medium containing news or editorial matter, it should be so presented that it is readily recognisable as an advertisement and where appropriate, labelled as such. The true commercial purpose of marketing communications should be transparent and not misrepresent their true commercial purpose. Hence, a communication promoting the sale of a product should not be disguised as, for example, market research, consumer surveys, user-generated content, private blogs, private postings on social media or independent reviews
 

Identity of the Marketer  (Art. 8)

 

  • The identity of the marketer should be transparent. Marketing communications should, where appropriate, include contact information to enable the consumer to get in touch with the marketer without difficulty
  • The above does not apply to communications with the sole purpose of attracting attention to communication activities to follow (e.g. so-called ‘teaser’ advertisements)

 

Comparisons (Art. 11)

 

  • Marketing communications containing comparisons should be so designed that the comparison is not likely to mislead, and should comply with the principles of fair competition. Points of comparison should be based on facts which can be substantiated and should not be unfairly selected

 

Denigration (Art. 12)

 

  • Marketing communications should not denigrate any person or group of persons, firm, organisation, industrial or commercial activity, profession or product, or seek to bring it or them into public contempt or ridicule

 

Testimonials (Art.13)

 

  • Marketing communications should not contain or refer to any testimonial, endorsement or supportive documentation unless it is genuine, verifiable and relevant. Testimonials or endorsements which have become obsolete or misleading through passage of time should not be used

 

Portrayal or imitation of persons and references to personal property (Art.14)

 

  • Marketing communications should not portray or refer to any persons, whether in a private or a public capacity, unless prior permission has been obtained; nor should marketing communications without prior permission depict or refer to any person’s property in a way likely to convey the impression of a personal endorsement of the product or organisation involved

 

Exploitation of goodwill (Art.15)

 

  • Marketing communications should not make unjustifiable use of the name, initials, logo and/or trademarks of another firm, company or institution. Marketing communications should not in any way take undue advantage of another firm’s, individual’s or institution’s goodwill in its name, brands or other intellectual property, or take advantage of the goodwill earned by other marketing campaigns without prior consent

 

Imitation (Art. 16)

 

  • Marketing communications should not imitate those of another marketer in any way likely to mislead or confuse the consumer, for example through the general layout, text, slogan, visual treatment, music or sound effects
  • Where a marketer has established a distinctive marketing communications campaign in one or more countries, other marketers should not imitate that campaign in other countries where the marketer who originated the campaign may operate, thereby preventing the extension of the campaign to those countries within a reasonable period of time

 

Chapters from the Code are: 

Chapter A: Sales Promotion

Chapter B: Sponsorship

Chapter C: Direct Marketing and Digital Marketing Communications 

Chapter D: Environmental Claims in Marketing Communications

Chapter E: Children and Teens (2024 code)

 

 

Where the rules are channel-related, they are shown in our following channel section C

 

 

 

The translation above does not include amends to the Marketing Act brought about by the transposition of Directive 2019/2161, delivered in a government bill here under article 2.4. The key clauses, which relate to the integrity of consumer reviews and the criteria for search rankings, do not directly impact ad content, except for new pricing provisions (2.2. in the bill) which are shown below under point 3, or in this article extracted from the Directive

 

Misleadingness

 

Section 10 of the act, which is the seminal piece of marketing/ advertising legislation in Sweden, transposing the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005/29/EC, covers misleading marketing as follows:

 

  • In the course of marketing a trader may not make any incorrect statement or other representation that is misleading with respect to the trader’s own or another person's business activity
  • The first paragraph applies in particular to representations that concern:

 

  1. The product’s existence, nature, quantity, quality and other distinguishing characteristics
  2. The product’s origin, uses and risks such as impact on health or environment
  3. Customer service, processing of complaints and method and date of manufacture or supply
  4. The product’s price, basis for calculating the price, special price advantages and payment terms
  5. The qualifications, position on the market, commitments, trademarks, trade names, distinctive symbols or other rights of the trader or of another trader
  6. Awards or distinctions awarded to the trader
  7. Terms of delivery for the product
  8. Service needs, spare parts, exchange or repairs
  9. The trader’s commitment to comply with codes of conduct, and
  10. The consumer’s rights under law or other regulation

 

  • A trader may not omit material information when marketing his own or another person's business activity. Misleading omission also refers to cases where the material information is provided in an unclear, incomprehensible, ambiguous or other inappropriate manner
 

Invitation to purchase

 

Finally in this coverage of general rules, if your advertising or ‘commercial communication’ constitutes an ‘invitation to purchase’ Definition ‘Indicating characteristics of the product and the price in a way appropriate to the means of the commercial communication used and thereby enables the consumer to make a purchase’ Art. 2 (1) UCP Directive certain material information must be included, as transposed in the Marketing Act Section 12:

 

  • Marketing is misleading if in a representation the trader offers consumers a specific product with a stated price without clear presentation of the following material information:

 

  1. The product’s distinguishing characteristics to the extent appropriate to the media and product
  2. Price and unit price stated as stipulated in Sections 7-10 of the Price Information Act (2004:347)
  3. The identity and geographical address of the trader
  4. Terms and conditions of payment, delivery, performance and processing of complaints if these deviate from normal practice in the industry or for the product in question
  5. Information concerning the right of withdrawal or the right to cancel a purchase which must be supplied to the consumer by law.

 

  • Marketing is also misleading if the trader in a representation offers consumers several specific products at a common price, without the offer containing material information under points 1-5 of the first paragraph

 

 

2. ENVIRONMENTAL RULES

 

The environment is a particularly sensitive issue in Sweden, and there are a good number of guidances and frameworks that are influential. The key rules in this context, however, are those from Chapter D  of the ICC Code applicable in Sweden, and its connected ‘Framework’ (November 2021; EN). Extracts from Chapter D are below; the revised framework is a significant addition to the regulatory line-up. Appendix I carries an Environmental Claims Checklist 'that marketers may find useful in evaluating their environmental claims.' It's in Swedish here.

 

2.1. Chapter D, ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (2018; 2024 code here

 

Scope

 

This chapter applies to all marketing communications containing environmental claims, i.e. any claim in which explicit or implicit reference is made to environmental or ecological aspects relating to the production, packaging, distribution, use/consumption or disposal of products. Environmental claims can be made in any medium, including labelling, package inserts, promotional and point-of-sales materials, product literature as well as via telephone or digital or electronic media such as e-mail and the internet. All are covered by this chapter. The chapter draws from national and international guidance, including, but not limited to, certain provisions of the International Standard ISO 14021 on ‘Self-declared environmental claims,’ relevant to the marketing communication context, rather than technical prescriptions. Definitions of terms are not spelt out here but available here

 

 

D1 Honest and truthful presentation 

 

  • Marketing communication should be so framed as not to abuse consumers’ concern for the environment, or exploit their possible lack of environmental knowledge.
  • Marketing communication should not contain any statement or visual treatment likely to mislead consumers in any way about the environmental aspects or advantages of products, or about actions being taken by the marketer in favour of the environment. Overstatement of environmental attributes, such as highlighting a marginal improvement as a major gain, or use of statistics in a misleading way (“we have doubled the recycled content of our product” when there was only a small percentage to begin with) are examples. Marketing communications that refer to specific products or activities should not imply, without appropriate substantiation, that they extend to the whole performance of a company, group or industry
  • An environmental claim should be relevant to the particular product being promoted and relate only to aspects that already exist or are likely to be realised during the product’s life, including customary and usual disposal or reasonably foreseeable improper disposal It should be clear to what the claim relates, e.g. the product, a specific ingredient of the product, or its packaging or a specific ingredient of the packaging. A pre-existing but previously undisclosed aspect should not be presented as new. Environmental claims should be up to date and should, where appropriate, be re-assessed with regard to relevant developments
  • Vague or non-specific claims of environmental benefit, which may convey a range of meanings to consumers, should be made only if they are valid, without qualification, in all reasonably foreseeable circumstances. If this is not the case, general environmental claims should either be qualified or avoided. In particular, claims such as “environmentally friendly,” “ecologically safe,” “green,” “sustainable,” “carbon friendly” or any other claim implying that a product or an activity has no impact – or only a positive impact – on the environment, should not be used without qualification unless a very high standard of proof is available. As long as there are no definitive, generally accepted methods for measuring sustainability or confirming its accomplishment, no claim to have achieved it should be made
  • Qualifications should be clear, prominent and readily understandable; the qualification should appear in close proximity to the claim being qualified, to ensure that they are read together. There may be circumstances where it is appropriate to use a qualifier that refers a consumer to a website where accurate additional information may be obtained. This technique is particularly suitable for communicating about after-use disposal. For example, it is not possible to provide a complete list of areas where a product may be accepted for recycling on a product package
  • A claim such as “Recyclable in many communities, visit [URL] to check on facilities near you,” provides a means of advising consumers where to locate information on communities where a particular material or product is accepted for recycling

 

D2 Scientific research

 

  • Marketing communications should use technical demonstrations or scientific findings about environmental impact only when they are backed by reliable scientific evidence
  • Environmental jargon or scientific terminology is acceptable provided it is relevant and used in a way that can be readily understood by those to whom the message is directed. (See also article 6 of the Code - Use of technical/scientific data and terminology)
  • An environmental claim relating to health, safety or any other benefit should be made only where it is supported by reliable scientific evidence
 

D3 Superiority and comparative claims 

 

  • Any comparative claim should be specific and the basis for the comparison should be clear. Environmental superiority over competitors should be claimed only when a significant advantage can be demonstrated. Products being compared should meet the same needs and be intended for the same purpose
  • Comparative claims, whether the comparison is with the marketer’s own previous process or product or with those of a competitor, should be worded in such a way as to make it clear whether the advantage being claimed is absolute or relative
  • Improvements related to a product and its packaging should be presented separately, and should not be combined, in keeping with the principle that claims should be specific and clearly relate to the product, an ingredient of the product, or the packaging or ingredient of the packaging

 

D4 Product life-cycle, components and elements

 

  • Environmental claims should not be presented in such a way as to imply that they relate to more stages of a product’s life-cycle, or to more of its properties, than is justified by the evidence; it should always be clear to which stage or which property a claim refers. A life-cycle benefits claim should be substantiated by a life-cycle analysis
  • When a claim refers to the reduction of components or elements having an environmental impact, it should be clear what has been reduced. Such claims are justified only if they relate to alternative processes, components or elements which result in a significant environmental improvement
  • Environmental claims should not be based on the absence of a component, ingredient, feature or impact that has never been associated with the product category concerned unless qualified to indicate that the product or category has never been associated with the particular component, ingredient, feature or impact. Conversely, generic features or ingredients, which are common to all or most products in the category concerned, should not be presented as if they were a unique or remarkable characteristic of the product being promoted
  • Claims that a product does not contain a particular ingredient or component, e.g. that the product is “X-free”, should be used only when the level of the specified substance does not exceed that of an acknowledged trace contaminant (See example)  or background level. Claims that a product, package or component is “free” of a chemical or substance often are intended as an express or implied health claim in addition to an environmental claim. The substantiation necessary to support an express or implied health or safety claim may be different from the substantiation required to support the environmental benefit claim. The advertiser must be sure to have reliable scientific evidence to support an express or implied health and safety claim in accordance with other relevant provisions of the Code

 

D5 Signs and symbols 

 

  • Environmental signs or symbols should be used in marketing communication only when the source of those signs or symbols is clearly indicated and there is no likelihood of confusion over their meaning. Such signs and symbols should not be used in such a way as falsely to suggest official approval or third-party certification

 

D6 Waste handling 

 

  • Environmental claims referring to waste handling are acceptable provided that the recommended method of separation, collection, processing or disposal is generally accepted or conveniently available to a reasonable proportion of consumers in the area concerned (or such other standard as may be defined by applicable local law). If not, the extent of availability should be accurately described

D7 Responsibility 

 

  • For this chapter, the rules on responsibility laid down in the General Provisions apply; see article 23

 

2.2. ICC Framework for Responsible Environmental Marketing Communications

http://www.g-regs.com/downloads/iccenvironmentalframework_2021.pdf

https://icc.se/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/ICC-Riktlinjer-Ansvarsfull-Marknadskommunikation-om-miljo-och-klimat_2022.pdf

 

 

 

  • Marketing must be responsible
  • The average consumer cannot be expected to have deep technical and environmental knowledge
  • The accuracy of statements must be capable of verification, especially for products that are environmentally harmful. Judgments 2004:4, 2004:12 and 2011:12, which can be found in the linked document below (borrowed from our cars database), provide relevant rulings from the Market Court:
    http://www.g-regs.com/downloads/SWBilGuidanceEnvironmentb.pdf (EN)
  • Only those environmental claims may be used which can be substantiated with current, evidence-based documentation
  • General claims must be shown to be valid after an overall assessment of the environmental effects
  • Vague and non-specific claims, such as ‘environmentally friendly’ should be avoided
  • There should not be any doubt about whether the environmental claim relates to the product itself or the packaging
  • Free from "irrelevant" substances claims should not be made, namely that the product lacks substances that in general have nothing to do with the product area/ field. For example, claiming that a product is 'chlorine free' must not be made where the chlorine in the product has been replaced by another equally problematic substance
  • Environmental signs and symbols should only be used in marcoms where the source of those signs is clearly indicated and there is no likelihood of confusion over their meaning

 

2.4. Nordic Ombudsmen guidance 

 

Guidance of the Nordic Consumer Ombudsmen; use of ethical and environmental-related claims in marketing in Swedish here:

http://www.konsumentverket.se/contentassets/dcac36a19d2a4f5c8c6b451ce8dfc4dd/nordisk-standpunkt-miljo-konsumentverket.pdf

And translated here:

http://www.g-regs.com/downloads/SWGenNordicOmbudsmenEnvironmental_.pdf

This is a fairly lengthy document so it has not been set out below. It provides some useful guidance and references if you are uncertain about what you can and can’t do when making environmental claims or statements, though the territory it covers is based on the ICC Code and the Marketing Act. The Guidance makes the point as follows:

 

  • 2.1. Special requirements regarding marketing or product characteristics, labeling or the like may be determined by special legislation. This may concern, for example, environmental legislation, legislation on chemical products, ecologically produced products, foodstuffs etc. If so, special legislation applies. This guidance applies only to the assessment that may be made in accordance with the Marketing Act

 

2.5. European Commission/ MDEC guidance 

 

 

3. PRICING

 

Developments at a European level are that Directive 2019/2161 amends to the Product Pricing Directive 98/6/EC are in the form of a new article 6a that provides rules for price reduction announcements, including those in advertising. Transpositions in Sweden are in the March 2022 government bill here (SW) under article 2.2, entry into force July 1. Commission guidance (from 2021) on the application of article 6a is here. Important ECJ case law September 24, 2024 re '30 day' requirement and Pinsent Oct 4 commentary here

 

Generic pricing rules applicable to all advertising:

 

3.1 Marketing Act 2008:486 Sections 10 and 12 of the Act

 

  • Section 10: In the course of marketing a trader may not make any incorrect statement or other representation that is misleading with respect to the trader’s own or another person's business activity - applies in particular to representations which concern 4) the product’s price, basis for calculating the price, special price advantages and payment terms
  • Section 12: Marketing is misleading if in a representation the trader offers consumers a specific product with a stated price without clear presentation of the following material information: 2. price and unit price stated as stipulated in Sections 7-10 of the Price Information Act (2004:347)
  • The Marketing Act also transposes under Section 8: ‘Misleading marketing as specified in points 1-23 of Annex I to Directive 2005/29/EC are always to be regarded as unfair.’ Points 5 and 6 of the Annex referenced are as follows:

 

5. Making an invitation to purchase products at a specified price without disclosing the existence of any reasonable grounds the trader may have for believing that he will not be able to offer for supply or to procure another trader to supply, those products or equivalent products at that price for a period that is, and in quantities that are, reasonable having regard to the product, the scale of advertising of the product and the price offered ('bait advertising')

6. Making an invitation to purchase products at a specified price and then: (a) refusing to show the advertised item to consumers; or (b) refusing to take orders for it or deliver it within a reasonable time; or (c) demonstrating a defective sample of it, with the intention of promoting a different product ('bait and switch')

 

3. 2. The Price Information Act

 

English translation here; provisions require the trader to provide accurate and clear pricing information on products; in particular sections 7-10 must be observed when marketing a product with a stated price, as referenced in Section 12 (2) Marketing Act

 

  • Section 7: Price information for goods shall be provided by details of the price and unit price of the goods. For products other than goods, the price information (indication) shall be provided by details of the price of the product. The Government or the authority appointed by the Government may also prescribe that unit prices shall be indicated for such products. If the price of a product cannot be indicated, the trader shall instead provide a price indication by stating the basis on which the price is determined
  • Section 8: A unit price need not be indicated if, owing to the nature or purpose of the product, it may be assumed that the indication of a unit price would not be relevant or if such an indication would possibly cause confusion
  • Section 9: Only a unit price needs to be indicated for goods that are not pre-packed and which are measured in the presence of the customer
  • Section 10: The price information shall be correct and clear. If charges and other costs may be added, this shall be indicated specially. The price information shall be provided in writing if the consumer cannot obtain the information in some other equivalent way. Price information shall be provided in such a way that it clearly indicates to the consumer the product to which the (price) information relates

 

3. 3 Section 2, Swedish Consumer Agency’s regulations on price information KOVFS 2012:1(SW). Guidance here (SW)

When a given product is marketed with a quoted price, the price information should be provided pursuant to §§ 7-10 Price Information Act 2004:347

 

3.4. The Competition Act (2008:579)

in the context of Anti-competitive cooperation between companies; agreements between undertakings shall be prohibited that directly or indirectly fix purchase or selling prices or any other trading conditions (Art. 1). Unofficial English translation of the act here

 

 

Article 10 (Sect. I of the Code) Use of ‘Free’ and ‘Guarantee: The term “free”, e.g. “free gift” or “free offer”, should be used only:

 

  • where the offer involves no obligation whatsoever; or
  • where the only obligation is to pay shipping and handling charges which should not exceed the cost estimated to be incurred by the marketer, or
  • in conjunction with the purchase of another product, provided the price of that product has not been increased to cover all or part of the cost of the offer

Where free trial, free subscription and similar offers convert to paid transactions at the end of the free period, the terms and conditions of the paid conversion should be clearly, prominently and unambiguously disclosed before the consumer accepts the offer. Likewise, where a product is to be returned by the consumer at the end of the free period it should be made clear at the outset who will bear the cost for that. The procedure for returning the product should be as simple as possible, and any time limit should be clearly disclosed. See also Article C12 Right of withdrawal.

 

Marketing communications should not state or imply that a “guarantee”, “warranty” or other expression having substantially the same meaning, offers the consumer rights additional to those provided by law when it does not. The terms of any guarantee or warranty, including the name and address of the guarantor, should be easily available to the consumer and limitations on consumer rights or remedies, where permitted by law, should be clear and conspicuous

 

Sales Promotions article A2

 

  • Sales Promotions should be so devised as to enable the consumer to identify the terms of the offer easily and clearly, including any limitations. Care should be taken not to exaggerate the value of the promotional item or to obscure or conceal the price of the main product

 

Direct marketing article C14. Prices and credit terms

 

  • Any information needed by the consumer to understand the cost, interest and terms of any other form of credit should be provided, either in the offer or when the credit is offered

  • Whether payment for the offer is on an immediate sale or instalment basis, the price and terms of payment should be clearly stated in the offer, together with the nature of any additional charges (such as postage, handling, taxes, etc.) and, whenever possible, the amount of such charges

  • In the case of sales by instalment, the credit terms, including the amount of any deposit or payment on account, the number, amount and periodicity of such instalments and the total price compared with the immediate selling price, if any, should be clearly shown in the offer

  • Unless the duration of the offer and the price are clearly stated in the offer, prices should be maintained for a reasonable period of time

 

4. STEREOTYPING.

 

Gender portrayal in Sweden is subject to special criteria. The ICC Code article 4 (‘Marketing communications should respect human dignity and should not incite or condone any form of discrimination, including that based upon ethnic or national origin, religion, gender, age, disability or sexual orientation’) is supplemented by Ro with further criteria on three topics (original Swedish here):

 

  1. Advertising that objectifies: advertising that portrays people as sex objects, for example via clothing, pose and context, in a way that can be considered to be degrading. What is considered to be degrading is influenced, among other things, by whether the person has a connection to the product and how and where the advertising has been shown
  2. Stereotyping in advertising: advertising that portrays people in stereotypical gender roles and which can be considered to describe or convey a degrading presentation of women or men
  3. Advertising that is degrading in any other way and therefore is obviously gender discriminatory

 

5. ADJUDICATIONS

 

 

Day-to-day application of the rules, in this case reviewing complaints, is by RO, per the normal self-regulatory process. Ro adjudicate in two ways:

 

  1. More regular or conventional cases are reviewed by experienced executives at RO
  2. Via the RO Jury (RON). Cases that are complicated or deal with a subject that has never been reviewed before are referred to the RO Jury (RON)

 

As this data is concerned with General versus sector rules, we do not set out individual cases, as there is too much ground to cover. Note, however, that there is particular sensitivity towards, and a strong lobby presence around, gender portrayal in Swedish advertising. The link below shows an example adjudication (in this case not upheld; the link is to a Swedish language website, there's a translation facility on the website which will provide the gist):

http://reklamombudsmannen.org/eng/uttalande/dominos-pizza 

But in this ‘Suit Supply’ case upheld; ad here

 

The Patent and Market court

 

There is an additional procedure in Sweden: if the case arouses the interest of the Swedish Consumer Agency, adjudication is via the Patent and Market Courts. For some perspective, here are The Market Court's decisions from 2000 to 31 August 2016; these are in Swedish, but there is a translation facility on the site, which should provide the gist of the decisions

 

 

 

………………………………………………..........

International

SECTION B CONTENT RULES

 

 

This section is longer than most. To help navigate it, some text is 'anchored' and linked to respective headings immediately below

 

 

  1. SELF-REGULATION; the 2024 ICC Code

1.1. General provisions

 
  1. THE LAW 

2.1. General provisions from the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive  (UCPD)
2.2 Specific pricing measures 
2.2.1. Directive 98/6/EC - the Product Price Directive
2.2.2. Extracts from UCPD

2.3. The AVMS Directive 

2.4. The Empco Directive 

2.5. The Green Claims Directive 


 

1. SELF-REGULATION; THE ICC CODE
The 11th edition of the ICC Code was published September 2024.
We show additions/amends in italics together with the previous versions, so you can see developments
We have not included e.g.scope, definitions, for reasons of space; these are often important and should be checked 

 

1.1 General provisions 

 

Basic principles (Art. 1)

 

  • All marketing communications should be legal, decent, honest and truthful;
  • All marketing communications should be prepared with a due sense of social, environmental and professional responsibility and should conform to the principles of fair competition, as generally accepted in business;
  • No communication should be such as to impair public confidence in marketing.
  • No communication should in the content and manner made undermine the public’s trust and confidence in marketing communications.

 

Social responsibility (Art. 2)

 
  • Marketing communications should respect human dignity and should not incite or condone any form of discrimination, including that based upon ethnic or national origin, religion, gender, age, disability or sexual orientation;
  • Marketing communications should respect human dignity and should not incite or condone any form of discrimination, including that based upon ethnic or national origin, religion, gender, age, physical attributes, mental health, disability, or sexual orientation. Marketers are encouraged to be mindful of diversity and inclusion (see ICC guidance on diversity and inclusion in advertising, 2023) and seek to avoid stereotypes and objectification. Explanation Stereotyping is the practice of referring to or playing on an oversimplified and untrue notion of a particular group, sometimes employing archetypal traits. Objectification means representing people not as persons or individuals but as objects of sexual or other templating character.
  • No marketing communication should be associated with corrupt practices (See ICC Rules on Combatting Corruption which defines in Part 1 “Corruption” or “Corrupt Practice(s)” as used in these rules shall include bribery, extortion or solicitation, trading in influence and laundering the proceeds of these practices) of any kind.
     Marketers should take due account of the ICC Rules on Combating Corruption and other ICC anti-corruption tools 

Marketing communications should not:

 

  • without justifiable reason play on fear or exploit misfortune or suffering;
  • appear to condone or incite violent, unlawful anti-social behavior or animal abuse;
  • appear to encourage or condone irresponsible use or harmful behaviour;
  • play on superstition;
  • marketing communications should not appear to condone or encourage actions which contravene the law, self-regulatory codes or generally accepted standards concerning climate change, sustainable and environmentally responsible behaviour;
  • they should respect the principles set out in Chapter D on environmental claims in marketing communications and be mindful of the ICC Framework for Responsible Environmental Marketing Communications
 

Decency​ (Art. 3)

 
  • Marketing communications should not contain statements or audio or visual treatments which offend standards of decency currently prevailing in the country and culture concerned.
  • Marketing communications should not contain anything which offends standards of decency currently prevailing in the country and culture concerned and strive to respect social norms and tradition;
  • Marketing communications should not incite or condone hate speech by using elements associated to it, such as false testimonials or endorsements, conspiracy theories, or other means to circulate harmful content
 

Honesty (Art. 4)

 
  • Marketing communications should be so framed as not to abuse the trust of consumers or exploit their lack of experience or knowledge;
  • Relevant factors likely to affect consumers’ decisions should be communicated in such a way and at such a time that consumers can take them into account.
  • Marketing communications should be structured in a way that does not take advantage of consumer trust or exploit their inexperience or limited understanding;
  • Relevant factors that can affect consumers’ decisions should be communicated in a manner and at a time that allows them to consider them effectively;
  • High-pressure marketing tactics which might be construed as harassment or hamper consumer choice, should not be used;
  • Marketing communications should not abuse the trust of consumers by using deceptive practices or spreading disinformation using elements such as false testimonials or endorsements, conspiracy theories, such as bait and switch or clickbait. Nor should they knowingly support, engage in, facilitate or fund illegal activities. See ICC Statement on Misplaced Digital Ads.
 

Truthfulness (Art. 5)

 

  • Marketing communications should be truthful and not misleading;
  • Marketing communications should not contain any statement, claim or audio or visual treatment which, directly or by implication, omission, ambiguity or exaggeration, is likely to mislead the consumer, in particular, but not exclusively, with regard to:
  • Marketing communications should not contain any claim likely to mislead the consumer, regardless of how it is conveyed – by text, sound, visual elements or any combinations thereof – and regardless of how the misleading effect occurs – directly or by implication, omission, ambiguity or exaggeration. The combination of elements used in a marketing communication provides the net impression of a claim and control how it is interpreted. This applies especially, but is not limited to:
     
    • characteristics of the product which are material, i.e. likely to influence the consumer’s choice, such as the nature, composition, method and date of manufacture, range of use, efficiency and performance, benefits, quantity, commercial or geographical origin or environmental, social or economic impact;
    • the value of the product, and the total price and taxes to be paid by the consumer;
    • terms for the delivery, provision, exchange, return, repair and maintenance;
    • terms of guarantee;
    • copyright and industrial property rights such as patents, trade marks, designs and models and trade names;
    • the full provision, activation or automatic renewal of a subscription or service, copyright and industrial property rights such as patents, trademarks, designs, models, trade names and other distinguishable marks;
    • compliance with standards; compliance with certification and standards or any other use of quality marks, logos (e.g. environmental, sustainable) or recognition symbols;
    • official recognition or approval, awards such as medals, prizes and diplomas;
    • sponsorship, agreement or cooperation with a particular company or brand;
    • the extent of benefits for charitable causes;
    • respect of human rights or sustainable behaviour.

  • Audiovisual materials such as photos, video, sounds or other illustrations that are likely to mislead the consumer with regard to either a product’s characteristics, performance, benefits, quality and effects to be expected, or the association of a person or organisation with the product, should not be used, including where these are misleading because they have been altered or enhanced (e.g. AI generated or by so-called photo and video editing);
  • Communications that reflect specific commitments or goals that are aspirational in nature and not likely to be met until many years in the future (e.g. carbon negative, climate positive, diversity, equality, well-being etc.) require that the company is able to demonstrate, in concrete terms, that it has a reasonable capacity and methodological approach to meet such a commitment. Qualifiers should be included if elements or impacts will occur in the future.

 

Substantiation (Art. 6)

 

  • Descriptions, claims or illustrations relating to verifiable facts in marketing communications should be capable of substantiation. Claims that state or imply that a particular level or type of substantiation exists must have at least the level of substantiation advertised. Substantiation should be available so that evidence can be produced without delay and upon request to the self-regulatory organisations responsible for the implementation of the Code.
  • Marketers should have a reasonable basis for making claims relating to verifiable facts at the time the claim is made. Claims that state or imply that a particular level or type of substantiation exists should have at least the level of substantiation advertised. Supporting documentation should be provided promptly upon request to the self-regulatory organisations responsible for the application and enforcement of the Code. The standard of proof required generally depends on factors such as the type of claim, the product, the consequences of a false claim and the benefits of a truthful claim;
  • Substantiation should be based on documentation, tests or other factual evidence that is valid, reliable and sufficiently precise to support the claim made. In the absence of required substantiation, the claim would be regarded as misleading. 
  • Regarding substantiation of environmental claims, see Article D1.

 

 

Identification clauses

 

identification and transparency (Art. 7)

 

  • Marketing communications should be clearly distinguishable as such, whatever their form and whatever the medium used. When an advertisement, including so-called “native advertising”, appears in a medium containing news or editorial matter, it should be so presented that it is readily recognisable as an advertisement and where appropriate, labelled as such. The true commercial purpose of marketing communications should be transparent and not misrepresent their true commercial purpose. Hence, a communication promoting the sale of a product should not be disguised as, for example, market research, consumer surveys, user-generated content, private blogs, private postings on social media or independent reviews.
  • Marketing communications, regardless of format or medium, should be easily identifiable, allowing consumers to clearly distinguish between commercial and non-commercial content;
  • Identification disclosures should be prominent, clear, easily legible and appear in close proximity to the commercial message where they are unlikely to be overlooked by consumers;
  • Marketing communications should be transparent about their true commercial purpose, and not misrepresent it. Hence, a communication promoting the sale of goods, or the contracting of a service should not be disguised, for example as news, editorial matter, market research, consumer surveys, consumer reviews, user-generated content, private blogs, private postings on social media or independent reviews etc.;
  • In the case of mixed content, such as with news or editorial matter or social media, the marketing communication element should be made clearly distinguishable as such, and its commercial nature should be transparent. It should be so presented that it is readily and immediately recognisable as a marketing communication and where appropriate, labelled as such.

 

identity of the marketer (Art. 8)

 

  • The identity of the marketer should be transparent. Marketing communications should, where appropriate, include contact information to enable the consumer to get in touch with the marketer without difficulty. The above does not apply to communications with the sole purpose of attracting attention to communication activities to follow (e.g. so-called “teaser advertisements”).
 
Use of technical/ scientific data and terminology (Art. 9)

 

  • Marketing communications should not
     
  • misuse technical data, e.g. research results or quotations from technical and scientific publications;
  • present statistics in such a way as to exaggerate the validity of a product claim;
  • use scientific terminology or vocabulary in such a way as falsely to suggest that a product claim has scientific validity or misuse any label, symbol, logo, or seal to that effect.

 

 

Promotional terms/ dark patterns 

 

Use of 'free' and 'guarantee' (Art. 10)

 

  • The term "free", e.g. “free gift”, "free trial",  or “free offer”, should be used only
     
    • where the offer involves no obligation whatsoever; or
    • where the only obligation is to pay shipping and handling charges which should not exceed the cost estimated to be incurred by the marketer, or
    • where the only obligation is to pay the delivery costs which should not exceed the cost estimated to be incurred by the marketer, should be disclosed upfront, or
    • in conjunction with the purchase of another product, provided the price of that product has not been increased to cover all or part of the cost of the offer.
       
  • Where free trial, free subscription and similar offers e.g. an introduction at reduced price convert to paid transactions at the end of the free period, the terms and conditions of the paid conversion should be clearly, prominently and unambiguously disclosed before the consumer accepts the offer. Likewise, where a product is to be returned by the consumer at the end of the free period it should be made clear at the outset who will bear the cost for that;
  • The procedure for returning the product should be as simple as possible, and any time limit should be clearly disclosed. See also Article C12 Right of withdrawal;
  • Marketing communications should not state or imply that a “guarantee”, “warranty” or other expression having substantially the same meaning, offers the consumer rights additional to those provided by law when it does not;
  • The terms of any guarantee or warranty, including the name and address of the guarantor, should be easily available to the consumer and limitations on consumer rights or remedies, where permitted by law, should be clear and conspicuous.

 

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Presentation of the offer (Art. 11)

 

  • The terms and conditions of any offer including the identity of the marketer, full name and address along with information on how to ask questions or lodge complaints should be transparent to consumers. There should be a clear process which leads to the necessary steps to place an order, purchase, conclude a contract or any other commitment. Wherever appropriate, the essential points of the offer should be simply and clearly summarised together in one place. Essential points of the offer may be clearly repeated but should not be scattered throughout an extensive presentation;
  • Offers should not be presented in a manner that conceals or obfuscates material factors, e.g. price, additional costs, availability or other essential sales conditions, likely to influence consumers’ decisions;
  • Any image, sound or text which, by its size, volume or any other visual characteristic, is likely to materially reduce or obscure the legibility and clarity of the offer should be avoided. When an offer involves different choices those should be clear and unambiguous, and their consequences easy to understand for consumers;
  • When the presentation of an offer also features products not included in the offer, or where additional products need to be purchased to enable the consumer to use the product on offer, this should be made clear in the original offer. For offers involving promotional items, see Chapter A: Sales Promotion;
  • Before making any commitment, consumers should be able to easily access the information needed to understand the exact nature of the product and all conditions of the offer, as well as their rights and how to exert them. Marketing communications inviting consumers to contact the marketer for further information of an offer should be transparent on the cost of communications therefore (see also Article C4);
  • Where appropriate, the marketer should respond by accepting or rejecting the consumer’s order. The fulfilment of any obligation arising from the offer should be prompt and efficient.

 

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 Automatic renewals (Art.12)

 

  • Advertising and marketing materials should clearly indicate when products are available as an automatic renewal rather than a one-time purchase. (See ICC Principles on Automatic Subscription Renewals. Essentially, marketers should obtain consumers’ consent to the material terms of an automatic renewal at the start of the contract);
  • The communication should not be misleading as to how the mechanism works or its consequences. The terms of renewal should be easily accessible for consumers before making any purchase. Where an automatic renewal begins with a free trial or other introductory offer Article 10 applies.

 

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Use of “guarantee” (Art. 13)

 

  • Marketing communications should not state or imply that a “guarantee”, “warranty” or similar terms, provide extra consumer rights additional to those provided by law unless they genuinely do. The terms of any guarantee or warranty, including the guarantor’s name and address, should be easily available to consumers and limitations on consumer rights or remedies, where permitted by law, should be transparent and prominently visible.

 

Comparative and competitive 

 

Comparisons (Art. 14)​

 

  • Marketing communications containing comparisons should be so designed that the comparison is not likely to mislead, and should comply with the principles of fair competition. Points of comparison should be based on facts which can be substantiated and should not be unfairly selected.
  • Marketing communications containing comparisons should be carefully designed so as not to mislead and should comply with the principles of fair competition. Points of comparison should be based on verifiable facts. Product or price advantages that are demonstrable per se should not be exaggerated or overdramatised. Comparisons should be clear whether they are to a competitor’s product or to another version of the same product.

 

Exploitation of goodwill (Art. 15)

 

  • Marketing communications should not make unjustifiable or unauthorised use of the name, initials, logo and/or trademarks of another firm, company or institution;
  • Marketing communications should not in any way take undue advantage of another firm’s, individual’s or institution’s goodwill in its name, brands or other intellectual property, or take advantage of the goodwill earned by other marketing campaigns without obtaining prior consent.

 

Imitation (Art. 16)

 

  • Marketing communications should not imitate those of another marketer in any way likely to mislead or confuse the consumer, for example through the general layout, text, slogan, visual treatment, music or sound effects;
  • Where a marketer has established a distinctive marketing communications campaign in one or more countries, other marketers should not imitate that campaign in other countries where the marketer who originated the campaign may operate, thereby preventing the extension of the campaign to those countries within a reasonable period of time
  • Marketing communications should not imitate another marketer’s work in a manner that is likely to mislead or confuse the consumer. This includes similarities in general layout, text, slogan, visual treatment, music or sound effects;
  • Where a marketer has established a distinctive marketing communications campaign in one or more markets, other marketers should not imitate that campaign in other markets where the original marketer might operate. This will consequently prevent blocking the expansion of the campaign to those markets within a reasonable period of time.

 

 

Denigration (Art. 17)

 

  • Marketing communications should not denigrate any person or group of persons, firm, organisation, industrial or commercial activity, profession or product, or seek to bring it or them into public contempt or ridicule.

 

Testimonials/ Influencers 

 

Testimonials (Art. 13)

 

  • Marketing communications should not contain or refer to any testimonial, endorsement or supportive documentation unless it is genuine, verifiable and relevant
  • Testimonials or endorsements which have become obsolete or misleading through passage of time should not be used.

 

Testimonials and endorsements; influencer marketing communications (Art. 18)

 

  • 18.1 General principles. Marketing communications should not contain or refer to any testimonial, endorsement or supportive documentation unless it is genuine, verifiable and relevant. Testimonials or endorsements, including influencer marketing communications, which have become obsolete or misleading through passage of time should not be used. The sponsored nature of a testimonial or endorsement should be made clear through an appropriate disclosure if the form and format of the communication would not otherwise be understood to constitute a sponsored message;
  • 18.2 Influencer marketing communications. All influencer marketing communications (including promotions of an influencer’s own products) should be designed and presented in such a way that it is immediately identifiable as such. Identification should be appropriate to the medium and message, particularly in the context of social media. Marketers and their influencers, as well as creators, should ensure the content is properly presented as marketing communications in accordance with the principles of identification and transparency (see Article 7). Content uploaded concerning third parties constitutes a marketing communication only if the influencer has received some form of compensation from the brand, whether financial or through other arrangements and this should be immediately clear from the context or the content. Each time the communication is shared, the connection between the marketer and the influencer should be transparent. Affiliate links to products on external third-party websites should be disclosed as such and their commercial nature transparent. In addition to the provisions in Article 7, identification disclosures should not be obscured by or hidden among other content. General disclosures on websites, in the terms and conditions at the end of a piece of content, buried in a string of hashtags, or in the ‘see more’ section are not sufficient. Marketers should make sure that influencer marketing communications posted on their behalf include relevant qualifiers or statements to avoid misleading consumers about the standards, qualities, attributes, costs or other features of the product involved. Influencers should not create social media posts or other messages alleging the content is sponsored by a business when they have no agreement with the brand. Such false statements should be regarded as marketing communications promoting the influencer’s own activity or brand, and hence as misleading (see Article 5);
  • 18.3 Use of minors When the influencer is a minor (The term “minors” here refers to persons of such age that they, under the applicable law, lack legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement, e.g. an influencer contract with a marketer), marketing communications should be based on a contract providing for explicit parental or guardian consent and protecting the minor against any undue exploitation;
  • Marketers should respect the requirements set out in Chapter E concerning the privacy of children, teens and minors;
  • Marketing communications should clearly disclose the connection to the marketer, including if relevant, that the minor is receiving economic or other compensation. All content featuring minors should be age-appropriate and free from inappropriate products, language, themes, or behaviour; further on the special responsibility for children and teens, see Chapter E.

 

 

Portrayal or imitation of persons and references to personal property (Art. 19)

 

  • Marketing communications should not portray or refer to any persons, whether in a private or a public capacity, unless prior permission has been obtained from that person; nor should marketing communications without prior permission depict or refer to any person’s property in a way likely to convey the impression of a personal endorsement of the product or organisation involved.

 

Children/ teens 

 

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Children and teens (Art. 20)

 

  • Special care should be taken in marketing communications directed to or featuring children or teens. Marketing communications should not exploit the natural credulity of children or the lack of experience of teens and should not strain their sense of loyalty. In directing marketing communications to children and/or teens, the principles of this Code should be applied with due regard to the age and other characteristics of the actual target group, their differing cognitive abilities, and developing personal privacy rights independent of parents or guardians.;
  • Marketers should respect standards and laws prohibiting the marketing of products that are subject to age restrictions such as alcoholic beverages, gambling and tobacco to minors (The term minor here refers to those below the legal purchase age, i.e. the age at which national legislation permits the purchase or consumption of such restricted products. In countries where purchase age and consumption age are not the same, the higher age applies in relevant markets). 

 

For further specific rules, see Chapter E – Children and teens.

 

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Safety and health (Art. 21)

 

  • Marketing communications should not, without justification on educational or social grounds, contain any visual portrayal or any description of potentially dangerous practices, or situations which show a disregard for safety or health, as defined by local national standards;
  • Instructions for use should include appropriate safety warnings and, where necessary, disclaimers;
  • Children should be shown to be under adult supervision whenever a product or an activity involves a safety and/ or health risk;
  • Information provided with the product should include proper directions for use and full instructions covering health and safety aspects whenever necessary;
  • Such health and safety warnings should be made clear by the use of pictures, sound, text or a combination of these.

 

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 Data protection and privacy (Art. 22)
We haven't set out this article as it's a channel rule and well covered elsewhere, largely by the law 

 

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Unsolicited products and undisclosed costs (Art. 23) 
 
  • Marketing communications associated with the practice of sending unsolicited products to consumers who are then asked for payment (inertia selling), including statements or suggestions that recipients are required to accept and pay for such products, should not be used;
  • Marketing communications which solicit a response constituting an order for which payment will be required (e.g. an entry in a publication) should make this unambiguously clear;
  • Marketing communications soliciting orders should not be presented in a form which might be mistaken for an invoice, or otherwise falsely suggest that payment is due;
  • For specific rules on respecting consumers’ wishes, see Chapter C, Article C6.
 
Articles 24-26, which complete the General Provisions section, are not included here as they are largely procedural
 

 

 

  • An 'environmental' claim is defined in the ICC Code as any claim in which explicit or implicit reference is made to the environmental or ecological aspects relating to the production, packaging, distribution, use/consumption or disposal of products. Environmental claims can be made in any medium, including labelling, package inserts, promotional and point-of-sales materials, product literature, as well as digital interactive media means any statement, symbol, sound, or graphic that indicates or implies an environmental aspect of a product, a component or ingredient of it, packaging or constituent of it, or an activity, facility or operation. The full scope and application of Chapter D has been extracted here 

 

Article D1. Substantiation 
 
  • All express or implied environmental claims should be substantiated by reliable scientific evidence11.(TT Reliable scientific evidence is the type of evidence likely to be recognised by experts in the field. Such evidence may, depending on the claim, consist of tests, analyses, calculations, studies, reports, surveys or other information) Care should be taken to assure that the substantiating data relied upon reflects the relevant product or activity and the claimed environmental aspects, attributes or performance featured in the marketing communication;
  • To substantiate aspirational claims or claims expressing goals or commitments related to achieving certain environmental metrics in the future, a marketer should be able to demonstrate that it has reasonable plans in place to work in good faith towards achieving the stated aspiration, goal or commitment in the timeframe specified;
  • As described in Article 6 of the Code, marketers need to monitor and review environmental claims regularly to ensure ongoing compliance, accuracy, and relevance. Typically, reliable scientific evidence, such as test data, analyses, studies and other documentation, are required to meet this standard;
  • See the Framework for further details on substantiation.

 

D2. Honest and truthful presentation

 

Environmental marketing communications should be so framed so as not to abuse to take advantage of consumers’ concern for the environment, nor exploit their possible lack of environmental knowledge;

  • D2.1 Marketing communications should not contain any statement or visual treatment environmental claims which are likely to mislead consumers in any way about the environmental aspects or advantages of products what's being communicated or about actions being taken by the marketer in favour of the environment.
  • Overstatement of Marketing communications should not overstate environmental attributes, such as highlighting a marginal improvement as a major gain, or using statistics in a misleading manner, e.g. “we have doubled the recycled content of our product” when there was only a small percentage of recycled content used to begin with) are examples. Marketing communications that refer to specific products or activities should not imply, without appropriate substantiation, that they extend to the whole performance of a company, group or industry;
  • An environmental claim should be relevant to the particular product being promoted specific focus of the marketing communication e.g. the products or activities in question. This should relate only to aspects or attributes that already exist or are likely to be realised during a product’s life, including customary and usual disposal or reasonably foreseeable improper disposal. It should be clear to what the claim relates, e.g. the product, a specific ingredient or aspect of the product, or its packaging or a specific ingredient constituent of the packaging or the marketer’s facilities or operations. A pre-existing but previously undisclosed aspect should not be presented as new. Environmental claims should be up to date and should, where appropriate, be reassessed with regard to relevant developments; Aspirational claims should have reasonable plans in place to work in good faith towards achieving the stated aspiration, goal or commitment in the timeframe specified;
  • Improvements related to a product and its packaging should normally be presented separately, and not be combined in keeping with the principle that claims should be specific and clearly relate to the product, an ingredient or element of the product, or the packaging or constituent of the packaging;
  • A claim concerning a combination of elements such as packaging and product combination can only be made if it really concerns both. This would not be the case, for example, if the claim only concerns the product packaging and the significant impacts of the packaging and product combination are different from the significant impacts of the packaging alone. Claims concerning a combination of elements, for example, inclusion of recycled content in a product or product packaged in compostable packaging, should both be supported by appropriate scientific evidence and qualified as needed to properly convey relevant limitations (e.g. our products include 20% recycled content and our packaging is compostable in industrial facilities, which are limited and may not be available near you);
  • Marketing communications that refer to specific environmental claims should not imply, without appropriate substantiation, that they extend to the whole performance of a product, company, group, sector, or industry. Such specific claims should be qualified as needed to avoid a misleading impression, i.e. if the limited nature of the claim is not otherwise clear from the claim itself or the context in which the claim is presented, then the claim should be appropriately qualified;
  • A pre-existing but previously undisclosed aspect should not be presented as “new”;
  • Environmental claims should not state or imply that reductions or benefits required by law or mandatory standards are voluntary.

 

D 2.2 Vague or general, non-specific claims 

  • Vague or general non-specific claims of environmental benefit, which may convey a range of meanings to consumers. Such claims should be made only if they are valid, without qualification, in all reasonably foreseeable circumstances. If this is not the case, general environmental claims should either be qualified or avoided. In particular Claims such as “environmentally friendly,” “ecologically safe,” “green,” “sustainable,” “carbon friendly” or any other claim implying that a product or an activity has no impact — or only a positive impact — on the environment, should not be used without qualification unless a very high standard of proof is available. As long as there are no definitive, generally accepted methods for measuring sustainability or confirming its accomplishment, no claim to have achieved it should be made; 
  • Special care should be taken before claiming sustainability achievements. Marketers should be cognisant of ongoing work to establish relevant methods to measure and validate sustainability. Relevant limitations should be made clear. An unqualified “sustainability” claim may be understood to involve company actions beyond efforts to reduce environmental impacts, depending on the context. Claims may be perceived as stating or implying that they involve social and economic impacts, such as support for fair working conditions, diversity and inclusion, communities, or charities, or the like, as well. Hence, marketers making sustainability claims should be mindful that consumers may take away a broader corporate social responsibility message. Marketers should evaluate relevant substantiation for such messages and consider whether claims should be qualified accordingly;
  • A specific claim about individual environmental attributes supported by reliable scientific evidence could be linked to a claim of “sustainability” (for example, “this part of our product is sustainable because it’s made of 100% post-consumer recycled content and is recyclable”); however, marketers should not state or imply that an entire product, facility or operation is “sustainable” without qualification simply because it has some positive environmental benefits.

 

D 2.2 Qualifications

 

  • Qualifications should be clear, prominent and readily understandable; the qualification should appear in close proximity to the claim being qualified, to ensure that they are read understood together;
  • There may be circumstances where it is appropriate to use a qualifier that refers a consumer to a refer a consumer to a QR code or a website where accurate additional information may be obtained. This technique is particularly suitable for communicating about after-use disposal. For example, it is not possible to provide a complete list of areas where a product may be accepted for recycling on a product package. A claim such as “Recyclable in many only in some communities, visit [URL] to check on if there are facilities near you,” provides both the relevant qualifier (that available recycling facilities are limited) plus a means of advising consumers where to locate information on communities where a particular material or product is accepted for recycling.

 

D3. Scientific research

 

  • Marketing communications should use technical demonstrations or scientific findings about the environmental impact of what's advertised only when they are backed by reliable scientific evidence;
  • In line with article 9, environmental jargon or scientific jargon or terminology is acceptable provided it is relevant to the claimed environmental performance and used in a way that can be readily understood by those to whom the message is directed;
  • An environmental claim relating to health, safety or any other benefit should be made only where it is supported by reliable scientific evidence. Also, such claim may require different reliable scientific evidence as they relate to aspects other than the environment, see Article D6.

 

D4. Comparisons

 

  • Any comparative claim should be specific and the basis for the comparison should be clear and understandable to reasonable consumers​. Environmental superiority over competitors should be claimed only when an significant advantage can be demonstrated. Products being compared Whatever is being compared in a marketing communication should meet the same needs and be intended for the same purpose;
  • Comparative claims, whether the comparison is with the marketer’s own previous process or product or with those of a competitor, should be worded in such a way as to make it clear whether the advantage being claimed is absolute or relative and whether it relates to the overall benefit or a specific benefit;
  • Improvements related to a product and its packaging should be presented separately, and should not be combined, in keeping with the principle that claims should be specific and clearly relate to the product, an ingredient of the product, or the packaging or ingredient of the packaging.

 

 

D5. Product life-cycle

 

  • Environmental claims should not be presented in such a way as to imply that they relate to more stages of a product’s life-cycle, or to more of its properties, than is justified by the evidence; it should always be clear to which stage or which property a claim refers. A life-cycle benefits claim should be substantiated by a full life cycle analysis (cradle to grave). If an alternative lifecycle analysis is used (e.g. cradle to gate), the more limited scope of that lifecycle analysis should be disclosed;

Article D6 – Claims regarding components and elements

  • When a claim refers to the reduction of components or elements having an environmental impact, it should be clear what has been reduced. Such claims are justified only if they relate to alternative processes, components or elements which result in a significant meaningful environmental improvement;
  • Environmental claims should not be based on the absence of a component, ingredient, feature or impact that has never been associated with the product category concerned unless qualified to indicate that the product or category has never been associated with the particular component, ingredient, feature or impact. Such claims could be justified if they respond to potential misperceptions about the use of the identified component, ingredient, feature, or impact. If so, qualifiers may be needed to avoid consumers being misled about the nature of the product, process, activity etc.Conversely, generic features or ingredients, which are common to all or most products in the category concerned, or required by law, standards or otherwise, should not be presented as if they were a unique or remarkable characteristic of the product being promoted;
  • Claims that a product does not contain a particular ingredient or component, e.g. that the product is “X-free”, should be used only when the level of the specified substance does not exceed that of an acknowledged trace contaminant or background level Note: “Trace contaminant” and “background level” are not precise terms. “Trace contaminant” implies primarily manufacturing impurity, whereas “background level” is typically used in the context of naturally occurring substances. Claims often need to be based on specific substance-by-substance assessment to demonstrate that the level is below that causing harm. Also, the exact definition of trace contaminants may depend on the product area concerned. If the substance is not added intentionally during processing, and manufacturing operations limit the potential for cross-contamination, a claim such as “no intentionally added xx” may be appropriate. However, if achieving the claimed reduction results in an increase in other harmful materials, the claim may be misleading. Claims that a product, package or component is “free” of a chemical or substance often are intended as an express or implied health claim in addition to an environmental claim. The substantiation necessary to support an express or implied health or safety claim may be different from the substantiation required to support the environmental benefit claim. The advertiser must be sure to have reliable scientific evidence to support an express or implied health and safety claim in accordance with other relevant provisions of the Code;
  • When the absence of a certain component or ingredient is claimed, directly or implicitly, to offer an environmental benefit versus another product, the general rules on comparisons apply, see Article D4 and General Provisions Article 14.

 

D7. Certifications, signs and symbols 

 

  • Environmental signs, logos, labels, or symbols should be used in marketing communication only when the source of those signs or symbols is clearly indicated and there is no likelihood of confusion over their meaning or when compulsory by law. Such signs and symbols marks should not be used in such a way as to falsely suggest official approval or third-party certification.

 

D6. Waste handling

 

  • Environmental claims referring to waste handling are acceptable provided that the recommended method of separation, collection, processing or disposal is generally accepted or conveniently available to a reasonable proportion of consumers in the area concerned. If not, the extent of availability should be accurately described.
 
D8. Environmental attribute claims
 
  • Environmental claims referring to a product’s makeup or constituents (for example, made with recycled or renewable content) or waste handling (for example, recyclable or compostable), should truthfully represent the attributes of the advertised product based on reliable scientific evidence as set out in Article D1. A product claimed to involve recycled or renewable content that is made from less than substantially all recycled or renewable content should avoid any risk of misleading consumers, e.g. by disclosing the percentage. A product claimed to be recyclable or compostable should disclose the extent of availability of these disposal methods if availability is limited;
  • Marketing communications that include compostability claims should disclose if a product is compostable only in industrial settings, and if so, whether facilities are limited, or if the resulting compost is subject to any use limits. A claim that a product’s packaging is refillable, or reusable should provide handling instructions to maintain safety.

 

D9. Responsibility

 

  • For this chapter, the rules on responsibility laid down in the general provisions apply (see article 24).

 

 

Additional guidance

 

 

 

This sector has a separate database on this single topic. Access via the drop-down on the home page 

We have not set out individual clauses below, therefore. 

 

Applicable self-regulation 

 

  • Article 20 from the General Provisions of the iCC Code above and Chapter E; see above or here 
  • ICC Statement on code interpretation and ICC reference guide on advertising to children here
  • ICC toolkit: Marketing and Advertising to Children (2017) here
  • Framework for Responsible Food and Beverage Marketing Communications here
  • WFA: The Responsible Advertising and Children Programme (RAC); Marketing to children 

 

 

 

This sector has a separate database on this single topic. Access via the drop-down on the home page 

 

Applicable self-regulation and legislation 

 
  • ICC Framework for Responsible Food and Beverage Marketing Communications here (EN)
  • The EU Pledge, enhanced July 2021 effective Jan 2022
  • Regulation 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods
  • Regulation 432/2012 establishing a list of permitted health claims on food 
  • Regulation 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers
  • Regulation 609/2013 on food intended for infants and young children, food for special medical purposes, and total diet replacement for weight control

 

 

 

This sector has a separate database on this single topic. Access via the drop-down on the home page of this website 

 

Applicable self-regulation and legislation 

 

 

Legislation 

 

Article 22, AVMS Directive. Television advertising and teleshopping for alcoholic beverages shall comply with the following criteria:

 

  1. it may not be aimed specifically at minors or, in particular, depict minors consuming these beverages;
  2. it shall not link the consumption of alcohol to enhanced physical performance or to driving;
  3. it shall not create the impression that the consumption of alcohol contributes towards social or sexual success;
  4. it shall not claim that alcohol has therapeutic qualities or that it is a stimulant, a sedative or a means of resolving personal conflicts;
  5. it shall not encourage immoderate consumption of alcohol or present abstinence or moderation in a negative light;
  6. it shall not place emphasis on high alcoholic content as being a positive quality of the beverages.

 

 

2.1 General Provisions from the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005/29/EC (UCPD) 

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02005L0029-20220528 (consolidated text 28/05/22)

 

Directive 2019/2161 amended the UCPD setting out some new information requirements for search rankings and consumer reviews, new pricing information in the context of automated decision-making and profiling of consumer behaviour (amending Directive 2011/83/EU, not shown below), and price reduction information under the Product Pricing Directive 98/6/EC. Potentially significant for multinational advertisers is the amerndment of article 6 of the UCPD, adding the clause (c) shown below in italics (as are other amends). Recitals related to this clause, which provide some context, are here. Helpful October 2021 explanatory piece on the Omnibus Directive from A&L Goodbody via Lex here

 

Guidance 

 

In December 2021, the European Commission issued Guidance on the interpretation and application of the UCPD, updating the 2016 version. This is a significant document that covers, for example, guidance on environmental claims, and references relevant case law from a number of countries. It is the definitive guidance on how to apply the most important consumer protection - as that relates to commercial communications - regulation in the EEA

 

Article 6. Misleading actions

 

1.   A commercial practice shall be regarded as misleading if it contains false information and is therefore untruthful or in any way, including overall presentation, deceives or is likely to deceive the average consumer, even if the information is factually correct, in relation to one or more of the following elements, and in either case causes or is likely to cause him to take a transactional decision that he would not have taken otherwise:

 

(a) the existence or nature of the product;

(b) the main characteristics of the product, such as its availability, benefits, risks, execution, composition, accessories, after-sale customer assistance and complaint handling, method and date of manufacture or provision, delivery, fitness for purpose, usage, quantity, specification, geographical or commercial origin or the results to be expected from its use, or the results and material features of tests or checks carried out on the product;

(c) the extent of the trader's commitments, the motives for the commercial practice and the nature of the sales process, any statement or symbol in relation to direct or indirect sponsorship or approval of the trader or the product;

(d) the price or the manner in which the price is calculated, or the existence of a specific price advantage;

(e) the need for a service, part, replacement or repair;

(f) the nature, attributes and rights of the trader or his agent, such as his identity and assets, his qualifications, status, approval, affiliation or connection and ownership of industrial, commercial or intellectual property rights or his awards and distinctions;

(g) the consumer's rights, including the right to replacement or reimbursement under Directive 1999/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 on certain aspects of the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees (8), or the risks he may face.

 

2.   A commercial practice shall also be regarded as misleading if, in its factual context, taking account of all its features and circumstances, it causes or is likely to cause the average consumer to take a transactional decision that he would not have taken otherwise, and it involves:

 

(a) any marketing of a product, including comparative advertising, which creates confusion with any products, trade marks, trade names or other distinguishing marks of a competitor;

(b) non-compliance by the trader with commitments contained in codes of conduct by which the trader has undertaken to be bound, where:

 

(i) the commitment is not aspirational but is firm and is capable of being verified, and

(ii) the trader indicates in a commercial practice that he is bound by the code.

 

(c) any marketing of a good, in one Member State, as being identical to a good marketed in other Member States, while that good has significantly different composition or characteristics, unless justified by legitimate and objective factors.

 

 

Article 7. Misleading omissions

 

1. A commercial practice shall be regarded as misleading if, in its factual context, taking account of all its features and circumstances and the limitations of the communication medium, it omits material information that the average consumer needs, according to the context, to take an informed transactional decision and thereby causes or is likely to cause the average consumer to take a transactional decision that he would not have taken otherwise.

 

2. It shall also be regarded as a misleading omission when, taking account of the matters described in paragraph 1, a trader hides or provides in an unclear, unintelligible, ambiguous or untimely manner such material information as referred to in that paragraph or fails to identify the commercial intent of the commercial practice if not already apparent from the context, and where, in either case, this causes or is likely to cause the average consumer to take a transactional decision that he would not have taken otherwise.

 

3. Where the medium used to communicate the commercial practice imposes limitations of space or time, these limitations and any measures taken by the trader to make the information available to consumers by other means shall be taken into account in deciding whether information has been omitted.

 

4. In the case of an invitation to purchase, the following information shall be regarded as material, if not already apparent from the context:

 

(a) the main characteristics of the product, to an extent appropriate to the medium and the product;

(b) the geographical address and the identity of the trader, such as his trading name and, where applicable, the geographical address and the identity of the trader on whose behalf he is acting

(c) the price inclusive of taxes, or where the nature of the product means that the price cannot reasonably be calculated in advance, the manner in which the price is calculated, as well as, where appropriate, all additional freight, delivery or postal charges or, where these charges cannot reasonably be calculated in advance, the fact that such additional charges may be payable;

(d) the arrangements for payment, delivery, performance and the complaint handling policy, if they depart from the requirements of professional diligence;

(e) for products and transactions involving a right of withdrawal or cancellation, the existence of such a right;

(f) for products offered on online marketplaces, whether the third party offering the products is a trader or not, on the basis of the declaration of that third party to the provider of the online marketplace.

 

4a.  When providing consumers with the possibility to search for products offered by different traders or by consumers on the basis of a query in the form of a keyword, phrase or other input, irrespective of where transactions are ultimately concluded, general information, made available in a specific section of the online interface that is directly and easily accessible from the page where the query results are presented, on the main parameters determining the ranking of products presented to the consumer as a result of the search query and the relative importance of those parameters, as opposed to other parameters, shall be regarded as material. This paragraph does not apply to providers of online search engines as defined in point (6) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1150 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

 

5. Information requirements established by Community law in relation to commercial communication including advertising or marketing, a non-exhaustive list of which is contained in Annex II, shall be regarded as material.

 

6. Where a trader provides access to consumer reviews of products, information about whether and how the trader ensures that the published reviews originate from consumers who have actually used or purchased the product shall be regarded as material.

 

 

ANNEX I

 

Commercial practices which are in all circumstances considered unfair 

Marcoms-relevant only; see Empco amends below

 

1. Claiming to be a signatory to a code of conduct when the trader is not.

2. Displaying a trust mark, quality mark or equivalent without having obtained the necessary authorisation.

3. Claiming that a code of conduct has an endorsement from a public or other body which it does not have.

4. Claiming that a trader (including his commercial practices) or a product has been approved, endorsed or authorised by a public or private body when he/ it has not or making such a claim without complying with the terms of the approval, endorsement or authorisation.

5. Making an invitation to purchase products at a specified price without disclosing the existence of any reasonable grounds the trader may have for believing that he will not be able to offer for supply or to procure another trader to supply, those products or equivalent products at that price for a period that is, and in quantities that are, reasonable having regard to the product, the scale of advertising of the product and the price offered (bait advertising).

6. Making an invitation to purchase products at a specified price and then:

 

(a) refusing to show the advertised item to consumers; or

(b) refusing to take orders for it or deliver it within a reasonable time; or

(c) demonstrating a defective sample of it,

 

with the intention of promoting a different product (bait and switch).

 

7. Falsely stating that a product will only be available for a very limited time, or that it will only be available on particular terms for a very limited time, in order to elicit an immediate decision and deprive consumers of sufficient opportunity or time to make an informed choice.

9. Stating or otherwise creating the impression that a product can legally be sold when it cannot.

10. Presenting rights given to consumers in law as a distinctive feature of the trader's offer.

11. Using editorial content in the media to promote a product where a trader has paid for the promotion without making that clear in the content or by images or sounds clearly identifiable by the consumer (advertorial). This is without prejudice to Council Directive 89/552/EEC (1).

11a.  Providing search results in response to a consumer’s online search query without clearly disclosing any paid advertisement or payment specifically for achieving higher ranking of products within the search results.

13. Promoting a product similar to a product made by a particular manufacturer in such a manner as deliberately to mislead the consumer into believing that the product is made by that same manufacturer when it is not.

16. Claiming that products are able to facilitate winning in games of chance.

17. Falsely claiming that a product is able to cure illnesses, dysfunction or malformations.

18. Passing on materially inaccurate information on market conditions or on the possibility of finding the product with the intention of inducing the consumer to acquire the product at conditions less favourable than normal market conditions.

19. Claiming in a commercial practice to offer a competition or prize promotion without awarding the prizes described or a reasonable equivalent.

20. Describing a product as ‘gratis’, ‘free’, ‘without charge’ or similar if the consumer has to pay anything other than the unavoidable cost of responding to the commercial practice and collecting or paying for delivery of the item.

21. Including in marketing material an invoice or similar document seeking payment which gives the consumer the impression that he has already ordered the marketed product when he has not.

22. Falsely claiming or creating the impression that the trader is not acting for purposes relating to his trade, business, craft or profession, or falsely representing oneself as a consumer

23b.  Stating that reviews of a product are submitted by consumers who have actually used or purchased the product without taking reasonable and proportionate steps to check that they originate from such consumers.

23c.  Submitting or commissioning another legal or natural person to submit false consumer reviews or endorsements, or misrepresenting consumer reviews or social endorsements, in order to promote products.

 

Aggressive commercial practices

 

26. Making persistent and unwanted solicitations by telephone, fax, e-mail or other remote media except in circumstances and to the extent justified under national law to enforce a contractual obligation. This is without prejudice to Article 10 of Directive 97/7/EC and Directives 95/46/EC (2) and 2002/58/EC.

28. Including in an advertisement a direct exhortation to children to buy advertised products or persuade their parents or other adults to buy advertised products for them. This provision is without prejudice to Article 16 of Directive 89/552/EEC on television broadcasting.

31. Creating the false impression that the consumer has already won, will win, or will on doing a particular act win, a prize or other equivalent benefit, when in fact either:

 

  • there is no prize or other equivalent benefit, or
  • taking any action in relation to claiming the prize or other equivalent benefit is subject to the consumer paying money or incurring a cost.

 

 

 

2.2.1. Directive 98/6/EC on consumer protection in the indication of the prices of products offered to consumers

 

Article 2

 

For the purposes of this Directive:

 

(a) selling price shall mean the final price for a unit of the product, or a given quantity of the product, including VAT and all other taxes;

(b) unit price shall mean the final price, including VAT and all other taxes, for one kilogramme, one litre, one metre, one square metre or one cubic metre of the product or a different single unit of quantity which is widely and customarily used in the Member State concerned in the marketing of specific products;

(c) products sold in bulk shall mean products which are not pre-packaged and are measured in the presence of the consumer;

(d) trader shall mean any natural or legal person who sells or offers for sale products which fall within his commercial or professional activity;

(e) consumer shall mean any natural person who buys a product for purposes that do not fall within the sphere of his commercial or professional activity.

 

Article 3

 

1.  The selling price and the unit price shall be indicated for all products referred to in Article 1, the indication of the unit price being subject to the provisions of Article 5. The unit price need not be indicated if it is identical to the sales price.

2.   Member States may decide not to apply paragraph 1 to:

 

  • products supplied in the course of the provision of a service;
  • sales by auction and sales of works of art and antiques.

 

3.   For products sold in bulk, only the unit price must be indicated;

4.   Any advertisement which mentions the selling price of products referred to in Article 1 shall also indicate the unit price subject to Article 5.

 

Article 4

 

1.   The selling price and the unit price must be unambiguous, easily identifiable and clearly legible. Member States may provide that the maximum number of prices to be indicated be limited;

2.   The unit price shall refer to a quantity declared in accordance with national and Community provisions.

 

Where national or Community provisions require the indication of the net weight and the net drained weight for certain pre-packed products, it shall be sufficient to indicate the unit price of the net drained weight.

 

Article 5

 

1.   Member States may waive the obligation to indicate the unit price of products for which such indication would not be useful because of the products' nature or purpose or would be liable to create confusion.

2.   With a view to implementing paragraph 1, Member States may, in the case of non-food products, establish a list of the products or product categories to which the obligation to indicate the unit price shall remain applicable.

 

Article 6a

 

1.   Any announcement of a price reduction shall indicate the prior price applied by the trader for a determined period of time prior to the application of the price reduction.
2.   The prior price means the lowest price applied by the trader during a period of time not shorter than 30 days prior to the application of the price reduction.
3.   Member States may provide for different rules for goods which are liable to deteriorate or expire rapidly.
4.   Where the product has been on the market for less than 30 days, Member States may also provide for a shorter period of time than the period specified in paragraph 2.
5.   Member States may provide that, when the price reduction is progressively increased, the prior price is the price without the price reduction before the first application of the price reduction.

 

 

2.2.2. Extracts from UCPD re pricing

 

Article 6

Misleading actions

 

1.   A commercial practice shall be regarded as misleading if it contains false information and is therefore untruthful or in any way, including overall presentation, deceives or is likely to deceive the average consumer, even if the information is factually correct, in relation to one or more of the following elements, and in either case causes or is likely to cause him to take a transactional decision that he would not have taken otherwise:

 

 (d) the price or the manner in which the price is calculated, or the existence of a specific price advantage.

 

Article 7

Misleading omissions

 

4. In the case of an invitation to purchase, the following information shall be regarded as material, if not already apparent from the context:

 

(a) the main characteristics of the product, to an extent appropriate to the medium and the product;

(b) the geographical address and the identity of the trader, such as his trading name and, where applicable, the geographical address and the identity of the trader on whose behalf he is acting;

(c) the price inclusive of taxes, or where the nature of the product means that the price cannot reasonably be calculated in advance, the manner in which the price is calculated, as well as, where appropriate, all additional freight, delivery or postal charges or, where these charges cannot reasonably be calculated in advance, the fact that such additional charges may be payable.

 

Annex I

 

5. Making an invitation to purchase products at a specified price without disclosing the existence of any reasonable grounds the trader may have for believing that he will not be able to offer for supply or to procure another trader to supply, those products or equivalent products at that price for a period that is, and in quantities that are, reasonable having regard to the product, the scale of advertising of the product and the price offered (bait advertising).

6. Making an invitation to purchase products at a specified price and then:

 

(a) refusing to show the advertised item to consumers; or

(b) refusing to take orders for it or deliver it within a reasonable time; or

(c) demonstrating a defective sample of it,

 

with the intention of promoting a different product ('bait and switch').

 

 

 

2.3.The AVMS Directive and amend 

 

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02010L0013-20181218

Content rules excluding alcohol (see pt. 1.5 above) in audiovisual commercial communications

 

Article 9

 

  1. Member States shall ensure that audiovisual commercial communications provided by media service providers under their jurisdiction comply with the following requirements:

 

  1. audiovisual commercial communications shall be readily recognisable as such; surreptitious audiovisual commercial communication shall be prohibited;
  2. audiovisual commercial communications shall not use subliminal techniques;
  3. audiovisual commercial communications shall not;

 

  1. prejudice respect for human dignity;
  2. include or promote any discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, nationality, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation;
  3. encourage behaviour prejudicial to health or safety;
  4. encourage behaviour grossly prejudicial to the protection of the environment.

 

  1. all forms of audiovisual commercial communications for cigarettes and other tobacco products, as well as for electronic cigarettes and refill containers, shall be prohibited;
  2. audiovisual commercial communications for alcoholic beverages shall not be aimed specifically at minors and shall not encourage immoderate consumption of such beverages;
  3. audiovisual commercial communications for medicinal products and medical treatment available only on prescription in the Member State within whose jurisdiction the media service provider falls shall be prohibited;
  4. audiovisual commercial communications shall not cause physical, mental or moral detriment to minors; therefore, they shall not directly exhort minors to buy or hire a product or service by exploiting their inexperience or credulity, directly encourage them to persuade their parents or others to purchase the goods or services being advertised, exploit the special trust minors place in parents, teachers or other persons, or unreasonably show minors in dangerous situations.

 

The AVMS Directive includes some further new provisions from Directive 2018/1808 which may have implications for food and alcohol advertising in particular. See the extracted clauses here, in particular article 4

 

 

2.4. The Empco Directive 
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/825/oj
In force from March 2024, meaning that member states have until September 2026 to implement

 

Article 1

Amendments to Directive 2005/29/EC

 

(1) in Article 2, the first paragraph is amended as follows: (b) the following points are added:

 

  • ‘(o) “environmental claim” means any message or representation which is not mandatory under Union or national law, in any form, including text, pictorial, graphic or symbolic representation, such as labels, brand names, company names or product names, in the context of a commercial communication, and which states or implies that a product, product category, brand or trader has a positive or zero impact on the environment or is less damaging to the environment than other products, product categories, brands or traders, or has improved its impact over time;
  • (p) “generic environmental claim” means any environmental claim made in written or oral form, including through audiovisual media, that is not included on a sustainability label and where the specification of the claim is not provided in clear and prominent terms on the same medium;
  • (q) “sustainability label” means any voluntary trust mark, quality mark or equivalent, either public or private, that aims to set apart and promote a product, a process or a business by reference to its environmental or social characteristics, or both, and excludes any mandatory label required under Union or national law;
  • (r) “certification scheme” means a third-party verification scheme that certifies that a product, process or business complies with certain requirements, that allows for the use of a corresponding sustainability label, and the terms of which, including its requirements, are publicly available and meet the following criteria:


 

  • (i) the scheme is open under transparent, fair, and non-discriminatory terms to all traders willing and able to comply with the scheme’s requirements;
  • (ii) the scheme’s requirements are developed by the scheme owner in consultation with relevant experts and stakeholders;
  • (iii) the scheme sets out procedures for dealing with non-compliance with the scheme’s requirements and provides for the withdrawal or suspension of the use of the sustainability label by the trader in case of non-compliance with the scheme’s requirements; and
  • (iv) the monitoring of a trader’s compliance with the scheme’s requirements is subject to an objective procedure and is carried out by a third party whose competence and independence from both the scheme owner and the trader are based on international, Union or national standards and procedures;


 

  • (s) “recognised excellent environmental performance” means environmental performance compliant with Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council (*2) or with national or regional EN ISO 14024 type I ecolabelling schemes officially recognised in the Member States, or top environmental performance in accordance with other applicable Union law;
  • (t) “durability” means durability as defined in Article 2, point (13), of Directive (EU) 2019/771;
  • (u) “software update” means an update that is necessary to keep goods with digital elements, digital content and digital services in conformity in accordance with Directive (EU) 2019/770 of the European Parliament and of the Council (*3) and Directive (EU) 2019/771, including a security update, or a functionality update;
  • (v) “consumable” means any component of a good that is used up recurrently and that needs to be replaced or replenished for the good to function as intended;
  • (w) “functionality” means functionality as defined in Article 2, point (9), of Directive (EU) 2019/771.

 

 

(2) Article 6 is amended as follows: (a) in paragraph 1, point (b) is replaced by the following:

 

  • ‘(b) the main characteristics of the product, such as its availability, benefits, risks, execution, composition, environmental or social characteristics, accessories, circularity aspects, such as durability, reparability or recyclability, after-sale customer assistance and complaint handling, method and date of manufacture or provision, delivery, fitness for purpose, usage, quantity, specification, geographical or commercial origin or the results to be expected from its use, or the results and material features of tests or checks carried out on the product.’;

 

(b) in paragraph 2, the following points are added:

 

  • ‘(d) making an environmental claim related to future environmental performance without clear, objective, publicly available and verifiable commitments set out in a detailed and realistic implementation plan that includes measurable and time-bound targets and other relevant elements necessary to support its implementation, such as allocation of resources, and that is regularly verified by an independent third party expert, whose findings are made available to consumers;
  • (e) advertising benefits to consumers that are irrelevant and do not result from any feature of the product or business.’;

 

(3) in Article 7, the following paragraph is added:

 

  • ‘7. Where a trader provides a service which compares products and provides the consumer with information on environmental or social characteristics or on circularity aspects, such as durability, reparability or recyclability, of the products or suppliers of those products, information about the method of comparison, the products which are the object of comparison and the suppliers of those products, as well as the measures in place to keep that information up to date, shall be regarded as material information.’;

 

(4) Annex I is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Directive. Annex I to Directive 2005/29/EC is amended as follows:

(1) the following point is inserted:

 

  • ‘2a. Displaying a sustainability label that is not based on a certification scheme or not established by public authorities.’;

(2) the following points are inserted:
 

  • 4a. ‘Making a generic environmental claim for which the trader is not able to demonstrate recognised excellent environmental performance relevant to the claim.
  • 4b. Making an environmental claim about the entire product or the trader’s entire business when it concerns only a certain aspect of the product or a specific activity of the trader’s business.
  • 4c. Claiming, based on the offsetting of greenhouse gas emissions, that a product has a neutral, reduced or positive impact on the environment in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.’

(3) the following point is inserted:

  • 10a. Presenting requirements imposed by law on all products within the relevant product category on the Union market as a distinctive feature of the trader’s offer.’;

 

(4) the following points are inserted:
 

  • ‘23d. Withholding information from the consumer about the fact that a software update will negatively impact the functioning of goods with digital elements or the use of digital content or digital services.
  • 23e. Presenting a software update as necessary when it only enhances functionality features.
  • 23f. Any commercial communication in relation to a good containing a feature introduced to limit its durability despite information on the feature and its effects on the durability of the good being available to the trader.
  • 23g. Falsely claiming that under normal conditions of use a good has a certain durability in terms of usage time or intensity.
  • 23h. Presenting a good as allowing repair when it does not.
  • 23i.Inducing the consumer to replace or replenish the consumables of a good earlier than necessary for technical reasons.
  • 23j. Withholding information concerning the impairment of the functionality of a good when consumables, spare parts or accessories not supplied by the original producer are used, or falsely claiming that such impairment will happen.’.

 

2.5. The Green Claims Directive 

 

  • More formally, Proposal for a Directive on substantiation and communication of explicit environmental claims. The proposal aims to:
  • Make green claims reliable, comparable and verifiable across the EU; protect consumers from greenwashing; contribute to creating a circular and green EU economy by enabling consumers to make informed purchasing decisions; help establish a level playing field when it comes to environmental performance of products;
  • The Commission pages on the proposal are here; the draft directive itself is here. The directive is likely to be agreed in parliament by the end of 2024

 

 

..........................................................................

C. Channel Rules

1. TV/Radio/VOD

Sector

SECTION C: TV & RADIO/ AV

 

  • Under Section 7 (2) of the Swedish Alcohol Act, the advertising of alcoholic drinks on/ in radio or TV programmes, including such TV broadcasts via satellites covered by the Radio and TV Act 2010:696 (EN), is prohibited 
  • Similarly, neither product placement nor sponsorship is allowed

 

 

...........................................................

General

SECTION C: TV & RADIO/ AV

 

 

STANDARD RULES 

 

  • The content rules set out in section B apply; the self-regulatory code on the basis of which RO make rulings is the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (EN 2018, 2024 code here). Content rules from the Marketing Act (MA; EN) pertain in all channels; any channel rules from the MA are shown in the relevant sections below
  • Commercial advertising in TV broadcasts, Teletext, and on-demand TV must not be designed to attract the attention of children under the age of 12 (Radio & TV Act RTVA; EN. Chap. 8, s. 7)
  • Programmes (TV or On-demand TV) primarily aimed at children under 12 years of age must not be surrounded or interrupted by advertising (Chap. 8, ss 3 & 7). Nor may these programmes contain product placement (RTVA Chap. 6, s. 2)
  • Must not feature individuals or characters who play a prominent role in children’s programmes (s.8) or people who play a prominent role in programmes that primarily involve news or news commentaries (s.9 RTVA)

 

The Radio and TV Act linked above is the GRS translation of the unamended act. Directive 2018/1808, which amends the AVMS Directive to extend its scope into e.g. video-sharing platforms; extract from recital 3:  'Channels or any other audiovisual services under the editorial responsibility of a provider can constitute audiovisual media services in themselves, even if they are offered on a video-sharing platform which is characterised by the absence of editorial responsibility. In such cases, it will fall to the providers with editorial responsibility to comply with Directive 2010/13/EU'The Radio and TV Act has been duly amended and is in Swedish here. Commercial content rules are essentially unchanged; what's changed is where they are applied

 

PRODUCT PLACEMENT (Ch. 6 RTVA)

 

  • Permitted only in films, TV series, sports and light entertainment programmes
  • Prohibited in programmes directed at children under 12 years of age
  • Must not directly encourage purchase or rental of goods or services 
  • Product placement must be indicated at the beginning and at the end of the programme, as well when the programme resumes after an interruption for advertising
  • This indication must be a neutral notification that there is product placement and of the goods/ services which have been placed in the programme

 

SPONSORSHIP (Ch. 7 RTVA)

 

  • Prohibited in news or news commentary programmes
  • Must not influence editorial independence
  • Must not directly encourage purchase or rental of goods or services 
  • The sponsored programme must show a message communicated at the beginning or end of the programme (or both) which indicates who has contributed to the financing
  • The message should contain the name, logotype or other mark of the sponsor. The message may not contain sales promotion features
  • If only part of a programme is sponsored, the sponsorship message should be communicated at the beginning or at the end of that part
  • In every case, sponsorship messages require that the integrity and value of the programme, or the rights of the holders of rights have not been violated
  • In the case of TV broadcasts, sponsorship messages can also be communicated in sports events with extended breaks
  • The sponsorship identification may be communicated on a split screen (in cases referenced in ss 4-6)

 

RADIO (Ch. 15)

 

  • Individuals who play a prominent role in radio broadcasts that primarily involve news or news commentaries may not appear in advertising (s.4)

 

Sponsorship on Radio

 

  • Radio programmes that mainly concern the news or contain news commentary may not be sponsored (s.8)
  • The media services provider of a sponsored radio programme is required to indicate who has contributed to the financing. Such a message should be communicated in an appropriate manner at the beginning and at the end of the programme or at one of these times
  • The sponsorship message should not contain sales promoting features (s.10)

 

 

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International

SECTION C TV/AV AND RADIO

 

 

EASA Jan 2024 update on the AVMSD

 

APPLICABLE SELF-REGULATION AND LEGISLATION

 

  • These rules are ‘general’ cross-border regulations, i.e. channel rules that apply to product sectors that do not attract particular restrictions in, for example, youth programming; rules for channel-sensitive product sectors such as alcohol or gambling can be found under their respective headings on the main website
  • For content rules in all channels, refer to the earlier content section B. The principal source of general international content rules is the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (EN 2024), which applies to all channels. Where there are content rules specific to the channels in this section, we show them below
  • Chapter B of the ICC Code linked above covers media sponsorship (Art. B12). The rules do not include product placement
  • The Audiovisual Media Services (AVMS) Directive 2010/13/EU is the key legislation; this was significantly amended by Directive 2018/1808, whose 'headline' was new rules for Video Sharing platforms (VSPS), but which made some other fairly significant amends to the AV framework, albeit none that had a notable impact on the content of commercial communications. The Directive's new/ adjusted rules in that context are assembled here and there's a helpful June 2021 commentary from Simmons & Simmons/ Lexology here and their June 2022 version is here. Some provisions are shown below

 

SPONSORSHIP (from the ICC Code)
2024 amends shown in italics

 

Article B12: Media sponsorship

 

  • The content and scheduling of sponsored media properties should not be unduly influenced by the sponsor so as to compromise the responsibility, autonomy or editorial independence of the broadcaster, programme producer or media owner, except to the extent that the sponsor is permitted by relevant legislation unless the sponsor is legally allowed to be the programme producer or co-producer, media owner or financier funder;
  • Sponsored media properties should be identified as such by presentation of the sponsor’s name and/or logo at the beginning, during and/or at the end of the programme or publication content. This also applies to online and in social media, including any influencer involvement material;
  • Particular care should be taken to ensure that there is no confusion between sponsorship of an event or activity and the media sponsorship of that event, especially where different sponsors are involved.

LEGISLATION KEY CLAUSES 

 

Note: The AVMS Directive is the source of rules for e.g. programme sponsorship and product placement. Observation of those rules is largely the responsibility of the media owners, so we don’t set them out below. They are available from the linked AVMS Directive (consolidated version following 2018/1808 amends, shown in italics below) and under our General sector. Clauses below are those most relevant to advertising content

 

Article 9

 

1. Member States shall ensure that audiovisual commercial communications provided by media service providers under their jurisdiction comply with the following requirements:

 

  1. Audiovisual commercial communications shall be readily recognisable as such. Surreptitious audiovisual commercial communication shall be prohibited
  2. Audiovisual commercial communications shall not use subliminal techniques
  3. Audiovisual commercial communications shall not:

 

  1. Prejudice respect for human dignity
  2. Include or promote any discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, nationality, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation
  3. Encourage behaviour prejudicial to health or safety
  4. Encourage behaviour grossly prejudicial to the protection of the environment

 

  1. All forms of audiovisual commercial communications for cigarettes and other tobacco products, as well as for electronic cigarettes and refill containers shall be prohibited;
    shall be prohibited
  2. Audiovisual commercial communications for alcoholic beverages shall not be aimed specifically at minors and shall not encourage immoderate consumption of such beverages
  3. Audiovisual commercial communication for medicinal products and medical treatment available only on prescription in the Member State within whose jurisdiction the media service provider falls shall be prohibited
  4. Audiovisual commercial communications shall not cause physical or moral detriment to minors. Therefore they shall not directly exhort minors to buy or hire a product or service by exploiting their inexperience or credulity, directly encourage them to persuade their parents or others to purchase the goods or services being advertised, exploit the special trust minors place in parents, teachers or other persons, or unreasonably show minors in dangerous situations

 

2. Member States and the Commission shall encourage media service providers to develop codes of conduct regarding inappropriate audiovisual commercial communications, accompanying or included in children’s programmes, of foods and beverages containing nutrients and substances with a nutritional or physiological effect, in particular those such as fat, trans-fatty acids, salt/sodium and sugars, excessive intakes of which in the overall diet are not recommended. See 4. below

 

2.  Audiovisual commercial communications for alcoholic beverages in on-demand audiovisual media services, with the exception of sponsorship and product placement, shall comply with the criteria set out in Article 22.
3.  Member States shall encourage the use of co-regulation and the fostering of self-regulation through codes of conduct as provided for in Article 4a (1) regarding inappropriate audiovisual commercial communications for alcoholic beverages. Those codes shall aim to effectively reduce the exposure of minors to audiovisual commercial communications for alcoholic beverages.

4.  Member States shall encourage the use of co-regulation and the fostering of self-regulation through codes of conduct as provided for in Article 4a (1) regarding inappropriate audiovisual commercial communications, accompanying or included in children's programmes, for foods and beverages containing nutrients and substances with a nutritional or physiological effect, in particular fat, trans-fatty acids, salt or sodium and sugars, of which excessive intakes in the overall diet are not recommended.
Those codes shall aim to effectively reduce the exposure of children to audiovisual commercial communications for such foods and beverages. They shall aim to provide that such audiovisual commercial communications do not emphasise the positive quality of the nutritional aspects of such foods and beverages.
5.  Member States and the Commission may foster self-regulation, for the purposes of this Article, through Union codes of conduct as referred to in Article 4a (2).

 

Article 4a is found here 

 

 

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Read more

2. Cinema/Press/Outdoor

Sector

 

CINEMA

 

  • Not permitted for alcohol brands. RO, the advertising SRO, have confirmed that marketing in cinemas is not permitted according to the general rule that particular moderation must be observed when marketing alcoholic beverages to consumers
  • The fact that the word 'cinema' is not mentioned may have its background in the situation that, until 2003, all forms of alcohol advertising were banned in Sweden, but with the decision of the Swedish Market Court in the so-called 'Gourmet-case', it became permitted under certain conditions
  • The Gourmet Case: Konsumentombudsmannen. v. Gourmet International Products Aktiebolag:
    SW: http://avgoranden.domstol.se/Files/MD_Public/Avgoranden/Domar/Dom03.05.pdf

 

PRINT
Press, magazines (and some print)

 

  • 3.1 In accordance with the Alcohol Act, it is prohibited to use newspaper advertisements in the marketing of alcoholic beverages that contain more than 15% alcohol by volume
  • Publications that are only provided at the point of sale of alcoholic beverages that contain over 15% by volume alcohol may, however, contain press advertisements for such beverages under the Swedish Alcohol Act. It should be possible for such a publication to be sent to a consumer after the consumer has expressly ordered it. The order should state that the consumer is aware that the publication contains such press advertisements (see also DM section)
  • 3.2 Under the Swedish Alcohol Act, an advertisement may not be bigger than 2,100 column millimetres (tabloid format). The advertisement must also clearly indicate the alcohol content of the beverage marketed but may not present a high alcohol content as a positive feature
  • 3.3 According to the Alcohol Act, the advertisement may not conflict with good practice via the context in which it occurs. The advertising technique must not mislead the consumer. An advertisement must not contain false or deceptive information on alcohol, alcohol consumption or the effects or other properties of alcohol. In addition, an advertisement may not conflict with good practice via the context in which it occurs

 

Clauses are from the Consumer Agency Guidelines

 

  • The general content rules, i.e. those that cover all sectors, alcohol included, also apply. See the General tab below
 

ALCOHOL INFORMATION TEXT
Health Messages

 

  • 3.4 Press advertisements must reproduce an information text on the harmful effects of alcohol. The texts to be used, as well as their format, are stated in the Alcohol Ordinance 2010:1636 – see below
  • 2.3 Marketing may not be directed towards or depict children or young people who have not yet reached the age of 25

 

  • Alkohol kan skada din hälsa (Alcohol can harm your health)
  • Alkohol är beroendeframkallande (Alcohol is addictive)
  • Alkohol kan orsaka nerv- och hjärnskador (Alcohol can cause damage to nerves and the brain)
  • Alkohol kan orsaka skador på lever och bukspottskörtel (Alcohol can cause damage to the liver and pancreas)
  • Alkohol kan orsaka hjärnblödning och cancer (Alcohol can cause cerebral haemorrhage and cancer)
  • Varannan förare som omkommer i singelolyckor i trafiken är alkoholpåverkad (Half of drivers who die in road traffic accidents involving just one vehicle are under the influence of alcohol)
  • Hälften av alla som drunknar har alkohol i blodet (Half of all people who drown have alcohol in their blood)
  • Alkohol i samband med arbete ökar risken för olyckor (Alcohol at work increases the risk of accidents)
  • Alkoholkonsumtion under graviditeten kan skada barnet (Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can damage the child)
  • Barn som får alkohol hemma dricker sig berusade oftare än andra barn (Children who are given alcohol at home drink to intoxication more frequently than other children)
  • Att börja dricka i tidig ålder ökar risken för alkoholproblem (Starting to drink at an early age increases the risk of alcohol problems)

 

FORMATTING OF HEALTH MESSAGES
The information text referred to above shall be:

 

  • Printed in bold Helvetica font
  • Printed with a font size that means that the text covers the greatest possible proportion of the area reserved for it
  • Reproduced in black ink on a white background
  • Centred in the area in which the text is printed
  • Surrounded by a black frame that does not infringe on the area reserved for the information text
  • Be placed horizontally and such that it is easy to read and
  • Cover at least 20% of the area of the advertisement

 

OUTDOOR

 

General clauses from CAG

 

  • 2.5 Marketing should not attract particular attention. The extent of the marketing, the typography, layout, size and location of the marketing shall be assessed according to the degree of moderation
  • Marketing that constitutes a dominant element in the environment, such as an eye-catching poster or extensive product exposure, is not permitted

 

Specific clauses from CAG

 

  • 6.2 The main rule is that outdoor advertising of alcohol is incompatible with the requirement of particular moderation
  • Points of sale and manufacture for alcoholic beverages, and marketing in direct connection with such points of sale/ manufacture are excluded from the concept of outdoor advertising. Direct connection should be understood as, for example, a sign, poster or the like mounted on a facade or freestanding signage placed within a few metres of the entrance
  • Individual packs and trademarks or equivalent marks may appear on distribution vehicles and similar means of transport for alcoholic beverages
  • Advertising in the form of trademarks for alcoholic beverages may, in certain circumstances, also occur on vehicles that are necessary for the trader’s business, and associated materials
  • An overall assessment in each individual case will establish whether the use of the trademark should be allowed. The assessment should take into account, inter alia, the use of the vehicle or equipment, and the context in which the trader has an interest in using his trademarks, and in relation to Swedish public health policy

 

Guidance from the AAR

 

2.4 Outdoor advertising, advertising at sales and manufacturing sites, etc

  • There is no general prohibition on outdoor advertising, but the key issue is whether the advertising is considered to be a dominant element of the environment or not. Factors that are important for the assessment are e.g. size, design, colours, location, lighting, scale or whether the marketing took place in a place where the average consumer might reasonably expect alcohol advertising
  • This means that traditional outdoor advertising, such as large sites, is normally prohibited as it generally constitutes a dominant element of the environment and is then considered to be intrusive. Advertising for alcoholic beverages made at, or in connection with, manufacturing or sales locations for alcoholic beverages or visitor centres for such activities are normally permitted (unless such placement is a dominant element of the environment)
  • The advertising must be placed in or in the immediate vicinity to the venue (e.g. a sign on the façade, or located a few metres from the entrance). Marketing that confronts passers-by should be somewhat more restrained

 

Comment: Visitor centre, alcoholic beverage manufacturing or selling point is a place where the average consumer can expect to be exposed to alcohol advertising. Advertising is also permitted on vehicles used in e.g. the sale or distribution of alcoholic beverages or otherwise within the framework of such activities. Such marketing should comply with the requirement of special moderation and in the image only reproduce the brand or individual pack(s)

 

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Read more

General

SECTION C: CINEMA, PRINT, OUTDOOR

 

 

CINEMA

 

  • The content rules in section B above apply to the cinema channel, except those specifific to broadcast. While the prohibition of advertising to children applies technically to television only, according to the Self-Regulatory Organisation RO “The prohibition on advertising to children specified for TV may possibly affect the design of cinema commercials to children.”
  • The self-regulatory code on the basis of which RO make rulings is the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (EN 2018, 2024 code here). Rules from the Marketing Act (EN) also apply

 

PRINT

 

Press, magazines, promotional literature, e.g. leaflets, brochures, etc.

 

 

OUTDOOR

 

  • The content rules in section B above apply to outdoor media, except those specific to broadcast 
  • The self-regulatory code on the basis of which RO make rulings is the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (EN 2018, 2024 code here). Rules from the Marketing Act (EN) also apply
  • This story appeared in the UK trade press June 2018: Stockholm to ban sexist ads from city streets. It is not clear whether the threat to remove 'offending' posters is carried out; what is clear is that there is an aggressive attitude from the authorities towards what might be considered to be ‘sexist’ advertising

 

The international association for OOH advertising is the World Out Of Home organisation (WOO); membership here

 

 

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International

SECTION C: CINEMA, PRINT, OUTDOOR

 

 

Applicable self-regulation and legislation 

 

  • These rules are ‘general’ cross-border regulations, i.e. channel rules that apply to product sectors that do not attract particular restrictions in, for example, youth publications or films for children; rules for channel-sensitive product sectors such as alcohol or gambling can be found under their respective headings on the main website
  • For content rules in all channels, refer to the earlier content section B. The principal source of general international content rules is the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (EN 2024), which applies to all channels. Where there are content rules specific to the channels in this section, we show them below, 2024 amends in italics. In the context of ‘Native’ advertising in particular, articles 7 and 8 of the ICC Code shown below are relevant
  • The Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005/29/EC; re native advertising in particular in print, and all provisions related to misleadingness etc. apply in all media; some clauses below
  • In terms of channel rules, Chapter B (Sponsorship) of the ICC Code will apply; article B12 (shown below with 2024 amends)

 

Refer to Content Section B for provisions; of particular relevance below:

 

Identification and transparency (Art. 7)

 

  • Marketing communications should be clearly distinguishable as such, whatever their form and whatever the medium used. When an advertisement, including so-called “native advertising”, appears in a medium containing news or editorial matter, it should be so presented that it is readily recognisable as an advertisement and where appropriate, labelled as such. The true commercial purpose of marketing communications should be transparent and not misrepresent their true commercial purpose. Hence, a communication promoting the sale of a product should not be disguised as, for example, market research, consumer surveys, user-generated content, private blogs, private postings on social media or independent reviews.
  • Marketing communications, regardless of format or medium, should be easily identifiable, allowing consumers to clearly distinguish between commercial and non-commercial content
  • Identification disclosures should be prominent, clear, easily legible and appear in close proximity to the commercial message where they are unlikely to be overlooked by consumers
  • Marketing communications should be transparent about their true commercial purpose, and not misrepresent it. Hence, a communication promoting the sale of goods, or the contracting of a service should not be disguised, for example as news, editorial matter, market research, consumer surveys, consumer reviews, user-generated content, private blogs, private postings on social media or independent reviews etc.
  • In the case of mixed content, such as with news or editorial matter or social media, the marketing communication element should be made clearly distinguishable as such, and its commercial nature should be transparent. It should be so presented that it is readily and immediately recognisable as a marketing communication and where appropriate, labelled as such.

 

Identity of the marketer (Art. 8)

 

  • The identity of the marketer should be transparent. Marketing communications should, where appropriate, include contact information to enable the consumer to get in touch with the marketer without difficulty. The above does not apply to communications with the sole purpose of attracting attention to communication activities to follow (e.g. so-called 'teaser advertisements').

 

Legislation key clauses 

 

Annex I of the UCPD 

 

11. Using editorial content in the media to promote a product where a trader has paid for the promotion without making that clear in the content or by images or sounds clearly identifiable by the consumer (advertorial). This is without prejudice to Council Directive 89/552/EEC (1)

22. Falsely claiming or creating the impression that the trader is not acting for purposes relating to his trade, business, craft or profession, or falsely representing oneself as a consumer

 

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Article B12 ICC Code Media sponsorship

 

  • The content and scheduling of sponsored media properties should not be unduly influenced by the sponsor so as to compromise the responsibility, autonomy or editorial independence of the broadcaster, programme producer or media owner, except to the extent that the sponsor is permitted by relevant legislation unless the sponsor is legally allowed to be the programme producer or co-producer, media owner or financier funder;
  • Sponsored media properties should be identified as such by presentation of the sponsor’s name and/or logo at the beginning, during and/or at the end of the programme or publication content. This also applies to online and in social media, including any influencer involvement material;
  • Particular care should be taken to ensure that there is no confusion between sponsorship of an event or activity and the media sponsorship of that event, especially where different sponsors are involved.

 

 

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3. Online Commercial Communications

Sector

SECTION C: ONLINE COMMERCIAL COMMUNICATIONS

 

 

CONTEXT

 

This section sets out the broad rules for the online environment generally. Under later headers, more specific channels are covered e.g. email, marketers’ own websites, and OBA. As the boundaries online can be less clear, and as space online is often advertiser-owned, the identification of advertising becomes critical, as advertising is subject to the rules in owned and (some) earned space as well as paid. The definition of advertising therefore matters. The Swedish Marketing Act defines marketing as including ‘all statements, regardless of medium, that have a commercial purpose and which are subject to purely commercial circumstances.’ The ICC Code, which applies in Sweden, defines advertising as: ‘any communications produced directly by or on behalf of marketers intended primarily to promote products or to influence consumer behaviour.’ 

 

KEY RULES 

 

  • Alcohol advertising online in Sweden is heavily restricted in terms of both content and placement; principal source of rules/ guidance is the Consumer Agency Guidelines (CAG); the linked file shows the Swedish rules with an English translation 
  • 4.1. When marketing on the Internet, Section 2 should be observed as regards both the technical design and the content of the advertisement. Marketing on the internet also means marketing in social media, apps and the like
  • 4.2. The website's homepage should clearly state if it includes the marketing of alcoholic beverages. On the pages containing such marketing, the applicable age limit for the purchase of those marketed beverages should also be clearly stated
  • 4.3. Marketing should only take place on sites where the target audience or at least 70% of the visitors consist of persons over 25 years of age. Only on such websites should marketing that leads via links to websites with alcohol advertising occur. When using different ad networks and the like, it is the responsibility of the advertiser to ensure that marketing does not end up on sites other than those referenced above (see also our later header Marketers' Own Websites)
  • 4.4. Websites that sell alcohol or focus primarily on alcohol promotion should check the visitor's age before he/ she is given the opportunity to access the site's content. This check should be undertaken using the most appropriate technology available
  • 4.5. Paragraphs 4.2-4.4 do not cover grocery retailers' websites which, in addition to marketing for, inter alia, foodstuffs, contain marketing for beverages with an alcoholic strength of not more than 3.5% ABV
  • 4.6. Advertising designed to attract particular attention, such as pop-ups, may not be used
  • 4.7. Advertisements on websites that are to be regarded as a supplement to a periodical publication under the Swedish Freedom of the Press Act ('online edition') should be designed in accordance with the regulations on advertisements in periodical publications; see section 3 (see CAG; the principal issues beyond the established alcohol norm of  ‘particular moderation’ are that only product under 15% ABV may be advertised, and that health messages must be included

 

 

IARD

 

The International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD), which organisation includes most major alcohol producers manufacturers, publish Digital Guiding Principles (DGPs) to supplement their Guiding Principles. The scope of the DGPs is “relevant to all branded alcohol beverage digital marketing communications (paid and unpaid), including but not limited to advertising and marketing communications on websites such as social network sites and blogs, as well as mobile communications and applications, where the content of those communications is under the control of alcohol beverage companies’ marketers.” Members are hereIn September 2021, IARD published Responsibility standards for the use of social influencers in alcohol marketing (EN)

 

 

 

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General

SECTION C: ONLINE COMMERCIAL COMMUNICATIONS

 

 

CONTEXT

 

This section sets out the rules for the commercial online environment. Below this, specific channels such as email, marketers’ own websites, and OBA are covered. As the boundaries online can be less clear, and as space online is often advertiser-owned, the identification of what is advertising is significant, as advertising is subject to the rules in Owned and (some) Earned space as well as Paid. The definition of advertising is therefore important: ‘any communications produced directly by or on behalf of marketers intended primarily to promote products or to influence consumer behaviour’ Is from the applicable ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (EN 2018, 2024 code here)

 

KEY RULES 

 

  • All of the content rules set out in section B apply online, except those specific to broadcast 
  • The self-regulatory code on the basis of which RO make rulings is the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (EN 2018, 2024 code here), which applies to commercial communications online. Rules from the Marketing Act (EN) also apply 
  • Non paid-for channels in Sweden, such as marketers’ own websites and SNS spaces, are also ‘in remit’ i.e. covered by the rules. Specifics are covered later in this section, but the principle applied in paid space also applies in unpaid or owned space: if it’s a marketing communication, it’s covered
  • The key self-regulatory document that guides Digital Marketing Communications (DMCs) in Europe is the European Advertising Standards Alliance's (EASA) DMC Best Practice 2023. While it's not per se binding in Sweden, it’s based on the ICC code and includes some helpful guidance on what techniques are in remit in, for example, marketers’ own websites. The guidance is also referenced in that section below; in brief, both viral and UGC are considered to be in remit only when endorsed by the marketer
  • The DSA: Consequences of the use of digital advertising from Dentons/ Lex August 30, 2022 covers the significant implications of this EU legislation (the Digital Services Act) on the advertising industry; in force 1 January 2024

 

SOCIAL MEDIA  

 

 

E-COMMERCE 

 

  • ‘The e-Commerce Act and the Distance and Off-Premise Contracts (DAL) are important laws that you should know when selling goods and services over the Internet’ (Swedish Consumer Agency; link is to relevant section)
  • e-Commerce guidance is also shown under Marketer’s Own Websites, and Electronic Communications; the Swedish Consumer Agency summary of requirements is here (SW); the e-Commerce and Distance Contract acts are shown in our links section E 

 

 

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International

SECTION C: ONLINE COMMERCIAL COMMUNICATIONS

 

 

Repository of European IAB’s Initiatives for Responsible Digital Advertising
IAB 30 September 2024. Topics Privacy, DSA, Influencer marketing, Qualid, Child Safety, 

Commission's call for evidence on DSA minors protection guidelines; closed 30th Sept 2024

EASA on the above and two calls for tender August 8, 2024

Meta and self-regulation December 2023 

 

CONTEXT

 

This particular section provides the broad regulatory picture for the commercial digital environment. More specific channel rules such as those for email, OBA, Social Networks etc., follow. As the boundaries online can be less clear, and as a considerable amount of space online is advertiser-owned, there’s greater focus on the identification of advertising, as advertising is in remit (i.e. subject to the rules) online in owned and (some) earned space as well as paid

 

APPLICABLE SELF-REGULATION, LEGISLATION AND GUIDANCE 

 

 

Legislation

 

Online Deals Do's And Don'ts For Online Business Under EU Law

Logan & partners/ Mondaq November 28, 2023

 

  • Directive 2002/58/EC on privacy and electronic communications
  • Directive 2000/31/EC on electronic commerce

  • Regulation 2016/679/EU on the processing of personal data (GDPR) 

  • Directive 2018/1808 amending AVMS Directive 2010/13/EU 

  •  

THE DSA AND DMA 

 

Two relatively recent arrivals in EU digital platform regulation are the Digital Markets Act (implemented May 2023), aka Regulation (EU) 2022/1925 and its implementing provisions; Commission explanatory pages here and the Digital Services Act, pages here (implemented Feb 2024 for all platforms) aka Regulation 2022 (EU) 2022/2065. The first, as the name implies, is the EU's means of reining in the major digital 'gatekeepers' to ensure 'fairer and more contestable' markets. Somewhat obviously, the rules are aimed at platforms rather than advertisers and agencies, though there are implications for behaviourally targeted advertising. The DSA's main goal 'is to prevent illegal and harmful activities online and the spread of disinformation.' Loosely, this is the EU's Online Safety Act.

 

Self-regulatory clauses 

 

Chapter C ICC Code; Direct Marketing and Digital Marketing Communications (extracts) 

2024 amends in italics; there are some 20 articles in this section of the code  

 

C2. Identification and transparency

 

  • Marketing communications should be properly identified, as such in accordance with Article 7 of the General Provisions subject descriptors should be accurate and the commercial nature of the communications, as well as the identity of the marketer, should be transparent to the consumers in accordance with Articles 7-8 of the General Provisions
  • Where a marketer has created or offered consideration for a product endorsement or review, the commercial nature should be transparent. In such cases, the endorsement or review should not state or imply that it is from or conferred by an individual consumer or independent body
  • Marketers should take appropriate steps to ensure that the commercial nature of the content of a social network site or profile under the control or influence of a marketer is clearly indicated and that the rules and standards of acceptable commercial behaviour in these networks are respected
  • Any image, sound or text which, by its size, volume or any other visual characteristic, is likely to materially reduce or obscure the legibility and clarity of the offer should be avoided

 

Article C3 – Presentation of the offer
 

The terms of offers should be presented in a transparent and understandable manner in accordance with Article 11 (Presentation of the Offer) of the General Provisions

 

C2. Identity of the marketer

 

  • The identity of the marketer and/ or operator and details of where and how they may be contacted should be given in the offer, so as to enable the consumer to communicate directly and effectively with them. This information should be where technically feasible available in a way which the consumer could access and keep, i.e. via a separate document offline, an online or downloadable document, email or SMS or log-in account; it should not, for example, appear only on an order form which the consumer is required to return.
  • At the time of delivery of the product, the marketer’s full name, address, e-mail and phone number should be supplied to the consumer
 

 

Legislative clauses

 

Directive 2002/58/EC; Article 13

Unsolicited communications

 

  1. The use of automated calling systems without human intervention (automatic calling machines), facsimile machines (fax) or electronic mail for the purposes of direct marketing may only be allowed in respect of subscribers who have given their prior consent
  2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, where a natural or legal person obtains from its customers their electronic contact details for electronic mail, in the context of the sale of a product or a service, in accordance with Directive 95/46/EC*, the same natural or legal person may use these electronic contact details for direct marketing of its own similar products or services provided that customers clearly and distinctly are given the opportunity to object, free of charge and in an easy manner, to such use of electronic contact details when they are collected and on the occasion of each message in case the customer has not initially refused such use
  3. Member States shall take appropriate measures to ensure that, free of charge, unsolicited communications for purposes of direct marketing, in cases other than those referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, are not allowed either without the consent of the subscribers concerned or in respect of subscribers who do not wish to receive these communications, the choice between these options to be determined by national legislation
  4. In any event, the practice of sending electronic mail for purposes of direct marketing disguising or concealing the identity of the sender on whose behalf the communication is made, or without a valid address to which the recipient may send a request that such communications cease, shall be prohibited
  5. Paragraphs 1 and 3 shall apply to subscribers who are natural persons. Member States shall also ensure, in the framework of Community law and applicable national legislation, that the legitimate interests of subscribers other than natural persons with regard to unsolicited communications are sufficiently protected

* Now repealed; GDPR applies 

 

 

Directive 2000/31/EC: article 5

 

General information to be provided

 

  1. In addition to other information requirements established by Community law, Member States shall ensure that the service provider shall render easily, directly and permanently accessible to the recipients of the service and competent authorities, at least the following information:
     

(a) The name of the service provider

(b) The geographic address at which the service provider is established

(c) The details of the service provider, including his electronic mail address, which allow him to be contacted rapidly and communicated with in a direct and effective manner

(d) Where the service provider is registered in a trade or similar public register, the trade register in which the service provider is entered and his registration number, or equivalent means of identification in that register

(e) Where the activity is subject to an authorisation scheme, the particulars of the relevant supervisory authority

(f) As concerns the regulated professions:
 

- any professional body or similar institution with which the service provider is registered

- the professional title and the Member State where it has been granted

- a reference to the applicable professional rules in the Member State of establishment and the means to access them
 

(g) Where the service provider undertakes an activity that is subject to VAT, the identification number referred to in Article 22(1) of the sixth Council Directive 77/388/EEC of 17 May 1977 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to turnover taxes - Common system of value added tax: uniform basis of assessment(29)
 

  1. In addition to other information requirements established by Community law, Member States shall at least ensure that, where information society services refer to prices, these are to be indicated clearly and unambiguously and, in particular, must indicate whether they are inclusive of tax and delivery costs

 

 

Section 2: Commercial communications

 

Article 6

 

Information to be provided: In addition to other information requirements established by Community law, Member States shall ensure that commercial communications which are part of, or constitute, an information society service comply at least with the following conditions:

 

  1. The commercial communication shall be clearly identifiable as such
  2. The natural or legal person on whose behalf the commercial communication is made shall be clearly identifiable
  3. Promotional offers, such as discounts, premiums and gifts, where permitted in the Member State where the service provider is established, shall be clearly identifiable as such, and the conditions which are to be met to qualify for them shall be easily accessible and be presented clearly and unambiguously
  4. Promotional competitions or games, where permitted in the Member State where the service provider is established, shall be clearly identifiable as such, and the conditions for participation shall be easily accessible and be presented clearly and unambiguously

 

Article 7

Unsolicited commercial communication

 

  1. In addition to other requirements established by Community law, Member States which permit unsolicited commercial communication by electronic mail shall ensure that such commercial communication by a service provider established in their territory shall be identifiable clearly and unambiguously as such as soon as it is received by the recipient
  2. Without prejudice to Directive 97/7/EC and Directive 97/66/EC, Member States shall take measures to ensure that service providers undertaking unsolicited commercial communications by electronic mail consult regularly and respect the opt-out registers in which natural persons not wishing to receive such commercial communications can register themselves

 

Directive 2018/1808 amending the AVMS Directive 

 

  • Extends rules across online platforms (provided that the service qualifies as an audiovisual media service or video sharing platform); the key amends to the Directive's content rules are assembled here

  • For video sharing platforms, articles 28a and 28b in the Directive linked above apply. We recommend perusal. From a commercial communications perspective, the key new ingredients are that article 9 of the AVMSD applies (found here) and that video-sharing platform providers 'clearly inform users where programmes and user-generated videos contain audiovisual commercial communications' - where they are aware of those - and provide a facility for those uploading also to declare the presence of commercial communications  

 

Guidance

 

European Data Protection Board / Article 29 Working Party

 

  • Working Document 02/2013 providing guidance on obtaining consent for cookies here
  • Opinion 15/2011 on the definition of consent here
  • May 2020 Guidelines on Consent under Regulation 2016/679 here

 

 

EASA Digital Marketing Communications Best Practice Recommendation. This document:

 

  • Recognises the global nature of digital media and the need to develop a coordinated response across EASA’s membership
  • Provides clear guidance to EASA’s SRO members on how to determine whether content under review is a marketing communication in the digital space
  • Encourages local SROs and advertising industry representatives to ensure that the self-regulatory remit at national level is aligned with the recommendations set out in this document
  • Identifies a non-exhaustive list of digital marketing communications practices which are recommended to be in the SRO’s remit
  • Identifies forms of digital content which lie outside of SRO’s remit under all circumstances

 

 

 

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4. Cookies & OBA

Sector

SECTION C: COOKIES AND OBA

 

 

COOKIES

 

  • There are no alcohol-specific cookie rules; see rules under the General tab below for the Cookie laws that apply to all sectors, alcohol included
  • Clearly, the way in which cookies are deployed will need to pay attention to the rules that require the avoidance of U25s, and the prohibition of ‘intrusive’ commercial communications according to the Alcohol Act and the Consumer Agency Guidelines (EN)

 

OBA

 

  • The guidelines/ recommendations linked above do not address OBA specifically; consideration might be given as to whether OBA per se might be considered to be ‘intrusive’ and therefore not permitted; it may be appropriate to  get some local legal advice
  • Additionally, the deployment of cookies, whether third party or otherwise, per clauses above, should obviously be mindful of the requirement to avoid U25s. Guidance in the AAR under Social Media implies the responsibility of where an advertisement is served is the responsibility of the advertiser (‘those who advertise also have a responsibility regarding how the advertisement is disseminated (5.4 AAR)
  • The content rules set out in section B (both the sector rules and the general rules) will apply in the same way to OBA as to other forms of advertising; if the advertising happens on a periodical online site, then it would need to carry Health Messages
  • The rules relating to third party cookies in the context of OBA are shown under the General tab below; these include statutory consent and information requirements 

 

 

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General

SECTION C: COOKIES AND OBA

 

 

Q&A: protecting privacy & confidentiality (EN)
Advokatfirman Delphi June 30, 2023

 

COOKIES
How To Be Cookie-Compliant in Sweden: A Checklist
Bird & Bird LLP November 17, 2023

The EU "Cookie Pledge" Preiskel & Co/ Mondaq 12 June 2023. Pledge here 
Privacy Sandbox next steps. May 18, 2023

 

  • The Electronic Communications Act (SW) implemented the 'Cookie Directive' 2009/136/EC in Sweden
  • Data protection in Sweden pre GDPR was primarily the domain of the Personal Data Act 1998:204, which was repealed and replaced by the new Data Protection Act 2018:218 (SW)
  • The key EU guidance in this context is Guidelines on consent under Regulation 2016/679 (May 2020). From pt. 7: 'The EDPB notes that the requirements for consent under GDPR are not considered to be an ‘additional obligation’, but rather as preconditions for lawful processing. Therefore, the GDPR conditions for obtaining valid consent are applicable in situations falling within the scope of the e-Privacy Directive.'
  • IAB Europe published in May 2020 their Guide to the Post Third-Party Cookie Era and in July 2021 Guide to Contextual Advertising
  • From ICAS' March 2022 newsletter: Google has published key actions for advertisers to take to prepare for a cookieless future as longer-term solutions for more advanced privacy-safe technology are still in development. Read the Privacy-Safe Growth Playbook here

 

Privacy issues should be reviewed with specialist advisors

 

ONLINE BEHAVIOURAL ADVERTISING (OBA)

 

European Union: Targeted advertising on social networks: Is consent mandatory? (EN)
Haas Avocats 19 September 2023

CJEU Landmark Data Protection Ruling for Online and Behavioural Advertising

William Fry/ Lex September 8, 2023

Privacy rules for targeted advertising in the UK and EU. Reed Smith/ Lex August 2023

 

  • EU Rules on Online Targeted Advertising from Covington and Burling/ Lex August 2022 sets out the existing targeted advertising rules and the impact of the DSA, in force January 2024
  • GDPR lawful processing rules may apply if data processing identifies individuals (see above). Definitive profiling guidance is from the Article 29 Working Party, now the European Data Protection Board here
  • Facebook's Meta to ban adverts that target people on 'sensitive topics' politics, race and sexual orientation; effective 19 January 2022
  • OBA, like any other advertising, is subject to the general rules set out in our earlier content section B, and any sector-specific rules 
  • We make the assumption that the great majority of behavioural advertising is via ad networks, that they will deploy cookies of various types, the relevant versions of which in this context are therefore third-party cookies; (see IAB Europe's Guide to the Post Third-Party Cookie Era)
  • The key guidance in Sweden was from the PTS (Post and Telecom Authority; Post- och telestyrelsen, PTS), which ‘removed its guidance on consent’ and referenced the EU guidance that we show in the introduction to this section, in Swedish here

International self-regulation

 

From the ICC Code (2018, 2024 code hereChapter C, Direct Marketing and Digital Marketing Communications, article C22 provisions for OBA; extracts only

https://www.g-regs.com/downloads/ICCCode2018OBAbrefFN9.pdf

 

Application of notice and choice provisions

 

  • Any party participating in IBA should adhere to principles of notice and user control as set out below. Transparency of data information collection and use, and the ability for users and consumers to choose whether to share their data for IBA purposes is vital. The following guidance provides further clarification for how these principles apply to IBA

 

C22.1 Notice

 

  • Third parties and website operators should give clear and conspicuous notice on their websites describing their OBA data collection and use practices. Such notice should include clear descriptions of the type of data and purpose for which it is being collected and information on how consumers may exercise choice with regard to the collection and use of the data for IBA purposes. Notice should be provided through deployment of one or multiple mechanisms for clearly disclosing and informing Internet users about data collection and use practices.Examples of how third parties, and where applicable website operators can provide notice of the collection of data for IBA purposes include mechanisms like an icon that links to a disclosure either in or around the advertisement delivered on the web page where data for IBA purposes is collected or somewhere else on the web page; or through a web link to an industry-developed website(s) where third parties are individually listed
 

C22.2 User control

 

  • Third parties should make available a mechanism for web users to exercise their choice with respect to the collection and use of data for IBA. Such choice should be available via a link from the notice mechanisms described in footnote 9. (Footnote 9 reads: "The term ’minor’ refers to those below the legal purchase age, i.e. the age at which national legislation permits the purchase or consumption of such restricted products. In countries where purchase age and consumption age are not the same, the higher age applies. For the purpose of this Article, in countries where there is no legal purchase or consumption age minors are defined as those below the age of 18. The meaning of this term has been derived from the definition provided in the ICC Framework for Responsible Marketing Communications of Alcohol." This is clearly an error. We have been in touch with the ICC)

C22.6 Children

 

Segments specifically designed to target children for IBA purposes should not be created

 

EASA BPR and EDAA

 

  • From EASA’s Best Practice Recommendation on OBA 2021: “In addition to the privacy notice on their own websites, third parties are required to provide an ‘enhanced notice’ to consumers whenever they are collecting or using data for OBA purposes on a website that is not operated by them. The purpose of the enhanced notice is to provide the web user with information about the identity of the company that is delivering the ad and about the fact that the ad is targeted based on previous web viewing behaviour.”
  • A good number of companies and organisations in Europe are supporters of and engaged in the European self-regulatory programme for OBA, administered by the European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance EDAA http://www.edaa.eu. The OBA Icon 

 

 

  • which can be found on digital advertising and on web pages to signal that OBA is on those sites, is licensed to participating companies by the EDAA. The consumer is provided with a link to http://www.youronlinechoices.eu/, a pan-European website with information on how data is used, a mechanism to ‘turn off’ data collection and use, and a portal to connect with national Self-Regulatory Organisations for consumer complaint handling

 

 

 

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International

SECTION C: COOKIES AND OBA

 

 

NEWS/ COMMENTARY

 

Consent or pay: one rule for some (large online platforms),

another rule for everyone else? Weil Gotshal & Manges 30/8/24

A new path for Privacy Sandbox on the web July 22, 2024

Third party cookie plans for Chrome. WFA view here 

Meta’s Ad-Free Subscription Violates Competition Law

Adam Satariano NYT July 1, 2024

EDPB Opinion 8/2024 on Pay or Consent April 17. Lexia May 8

 

1. COOKIES

 

Applicable legislation, self-regulation and guidance 

Note that legislation is implemented in member states, sometimes with nuance 

 

 

Article 29/EDPB Working Party documents

 

  • Working Document 02/2013 providing guidance on obtaining consent for cookies here
  • Opinion 04/2012 on Cookie Consent Exemption here
  • Opinion 15/2011 on the definition of consent here
  • May 2020 Guidelines on Consent under Regulation 2016/679 here
  • Opinion 5/2019 on the interplay between the ePrivacy Directive and the GDPR here

 

As of 25 May 2018 the Article 29 Working Party ceased to exist and has been replaced by the European Data Protection Board (EDPB). Article 29 WP documents remain valid

 

Legislation

 

Directive on privacy and electronic communications 2002/58/EC as amended by Directive 2009/136/EC

 

  • Member States shall ensure that the use of electronic communications networks to store information or to gain access to information stored in the terminal equipment of a subscriber or user is only allowed on condition that the subscriber or user concerned is provided with clear and comprehensive information in accordance with Directive 95/46/EC, inter alia about the purposes of the processing, and is offered the right to refuse such processing by the data controller. This shall not prevent any technical storage or access for the sole purpose of carrying out or facilitating the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network, or as strictly necessary in order to provide an information society service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user (Art. 5.3)

 

GDPR

 

  • The introduction of the GDPR 2016/679 from May 25, 2018: in the event that cookies that identify individuals are deployed, then GDPR lawful processing rules apply. GDPR/ privacy issues should be overseen by legal advisors

 

2. OBA 

 

Meta must limit data for personalised ads

BBC October 4, 2024. Hunton Oct 15

EDAA launches new solution to DSA ad transparency requirements

EDPB ban on Meta processing personal data for behavioural advertising

DAC Beachcroft/ Lex December 6, 2023. EDPB here

Privacy Challenges For Digital Advertising, Particularly In Europe

Squire Patton Boggs 22 November, 2023

 

Applicable regulation and opinion

 

 

 

Opinion/ guidance 

 

Article 29 Working Party* documents

 

 

*As of 25 May 2018 the Article 29 Working Party ceased to exist and has been replaced by the European Data Protection Board (EDPB). Article 29 WP documents remain valid

 

European self-regulatory programme for OBA

 

  • A good number of companies and organisations in Europe are engaged in the European self-regulatory programme for OBA, administered by the European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance (EDAA http://www.edaa.eu). The OBA Icon, which can be found on digital advertising and on web pages to signal that OBA is on those sites, is licensed to participating companies by the EDAA. The consumer is provided with a link to the OBA Consumer Choice Platform - http://www.youronlinechoices.eu/ - a pan-European website with information on how data is used, a mechanism to ‘turn off’ data collection and use, and a portal to connect with national Self-Regulatory Organisations for consumer complaint handling
  • EDAA has published their latest (2021) European Advertising Consumer Research Report, which provides an overview of respondents’ attitudes and awareness of the European Self-Regulatory Programme for Online Behavioural Advertising (OBA) in ten European markets (Belgium, France, Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Romania, Spain & Sweden). Read the full report here

 

 
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5. Emails & SMS

Sector

SECTION C: DIRECT ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

 

 

  • The content rules, both sector and general rules, set out in section B apply, except that the requirement for health messages is applied specifically to print periodicals (including online editions)
  • In the context of the associated data processing and transmission of electronic communications (where permitted), clearly U25s should be avoided
  • In the same context, the General tab underneath this section shows the statutory consent and information requirements that apply to all product sectors

 

Consumer Agency Guidelines re direct marketing

 

6.1. The main rule is that it is incompatible with the requirement of particular moderation to market alcoholic beverages through direct marketing. However, on the express request of the consumer, such marketing is considered permissible

 

Alcohol Advertising Recommendations
Section 2.5. 

 

  • Direct advertising means marketing that is directly offered to individual consumers through e.g. flyers, SMS, e-mails, letters, etc. Direct advertising includes messages in social media that are directly sent to individuals (direct messages) but not sponsored posts that are reproduced in the stream (feed)
  • In the case of e-mail, the subject line of the email should be compared with the outer packaging of direct mail (It should be clear from the outer packaging that the consignment contains alcohol advertising). For the direct advertising method that is deployed, relevant NIX (opt out) registers and other relevant advertising blocks must be respected. The same applies to the provisions of the Marketing Act on unpublished advertising. These include that direct mail, e-mail, SMS and MMS and other similar methods require the individual recipient's opt-in
  • Direct advertising that is specifically ordered by the recipient may be sent provided that at the time of ordering, he / she declared to be of such age that he / she can buy the alcoholic drinks to which the advertisement refers

 

 

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General

SECTION C: DIRECT ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

 

 

STANDARD RULES 

 

  • All of the content rules set out in section B apply online, including any sector-specific rules, except those rules for broadcast channels
  • The self-regulatory code on the basis of which RO make rulings is the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (EN 2018, 2024 code here), which applies to commercial communications online

  • Content and channel rules from the Marketing Act (EN) also apply online. See our content section B above

 

LEGISLATION

  •  In the case of data processing that identifies individuals, lawful processing rules from the GDPR may apply. Privacy issues should be reviewed with specialist advisors
  • See this November 2021 judgement from CJEU re unsolicited 'Inbox advertising' and related article from GALA/ Lexology here 
  • The arrival of GDPR into the regulatory framework might cause some uncertainty regarding consent issues in the context of direct electronic communications and the E-Privacy Directive. The key EU guidance in this context is 'Guidelines on consent under Regulation 2016/679' (May 2020). From pt. 7: 'The EDPB notes that the requirements for consent under GDPR are not considered to be an ‘additional obligation’, but rather as preconditions for lawful processing. Therefore, the GDPR conditions for obtaining valid consent are applicable in situations falling within the scope of the e-Privacy Directive.'
  • The Marketing Act 2008:486 (EN) implements, among others, the marcoms elements of Directive 2002/58/EC on Privacy and Electronic Communications, from which:

 

  • Unsolicited advertising, Section 19 of the Marketing Act. ‘A trader may, in the course of marketing to a natural person use electronic mail, a telefax or automatic calling device or any other similar automatic system for individual communication that is not operated by an individual, only if the natural person has consented to this in advance. Where a trader has obtained details of a natural person’s electronic address for electronic mail in the context of a sale of a product to that person, the consent requirement stipulated in the first paragraph shall not apply, provided that:
     

1. The natural person has not objected to the use of the electronic address for the purpose of marketing via electronic mail

2. The marketing relates to the trader’s own similar products and

3. The natural person is clearly and explicitly given the opportunity to object, simply and without charge, to the use of such details for marketing purposes, when they are collected and in conjunction with each subsequent marketing communication.’

The above ‘soft opt-in’ does not apply to SMS/MMS

 

  • Section 20. In marketing via electronic mail the communication shall at all times contain a valid address to which the recipient can send a request that the marketing cease. This also applies to marketing to a legal person (B2B)
 

The 'Blacklist'

 

  • Section 4 of the Marketing Act applies Annex I of the Directive 2005/29/EC in Swedish law. The Government has published the relevant annex in the Swedish Code of Statutes. Annex I is the ‘Blacklist’ - 31 commercial practices in all circumstances considered unfair. No. 26 of the list is Making persistent and unwanted solicitations by telephone, fax, e-mail or other remote media except in circumstances and to the extent justified under national law to enforce a contractual obligation. This is without prejudice to Article 10 of Directive 97/7/EC and Directives 95/46/EC (1) and 2002/58/EC.’

 

Invitation to Purchase

 

Defined in UCPD 2005/29/EC as ‘a commercial communication that indicates characteristics of the product and the price in a way appropriate to the means of the commercial communication used and thereby enables the consumer to make a purchase.’ From Section 12 of the Marketing Act (Implementing UCPD):

 

  • in a representation where the trader offers consumers a specific product with a stated price the following material information must be provided:
     

1. The product’s distinguishing characteristics to the extent appropriate to the media and product

2. Price and unit price stated as stipulated in Sections 7-10 of the Price Information Act (2004:347)

3. The identity and geographical address of the trader

4. Terms and conditions of payment, delivery, performance and processing of complaints if these deviate from normal practice in the industry or for the product in question

5. Information concerning the right of withdrawal or the right to cancel a purchase, which must be supplied to the consumer by law

 

  • Failure to clearly present the information listed under Section 12 will be regarded as misleading marketing. Marketing will also be deemed misleading if the trader in a representation offers consumers several specific products at a common price, without the offer containing material information under points 1-5 in the bullet point above
  • When assessing whether a representation is misleading under Section 10, third paragraph (omitting material information), ‘the limitations in time and space of the means of communication used may be taken into account, as well as the measures taken by the trader to provide the information in some other way’ (Section 11, Marketing Act)

 

SELF-REGULATION: ICC Code (EN 2018, 2024 code here)

 

From Chapter C, Direct Marketing and Digital Marketing Communications, key extracts only; the full set of articles from the chapter is here

 

 Article C1. Identification and transparency

 

  • Marketing communications should be properly identified as such in accordance with Article 7 of the General Provisions. Subject descriptors should be accurate and the commercial nature of the communication should be transparent to the consumer
  • Where a marketer has created or offered consideration for a product endorsement or review, the commercial nature should be transparent. In such cases, the endorsement or review should not state or imply that it is from or conferred by an individual consumer or independent body.
  • Marketers should take appropriate steps to ensure that the commercial nature of the content of a social network site or profile under the control or influence of a marketer is clearly indicated and that the rules and standards of acceptable commercial behaviour in these networks are respected
  • Any image, sound or text which, by its size, volume or any other visual characteristic, is likely to materially reduce or obscure the legibility and clarity of the offer should be avoided

 

Article C4. Presentation

 

  • Wherever appropriate, the essential points of the offer should be simply and clearly summarised together in one place. Essential points of the offer may be clearly repeated, but should not be scattered throughout the promotional material
  • When the presentation of an offer also features products not included in the offer, or where additional products need to be purchased to enable the consumer to use the product on offer, this should be made clear in the original offer
  • Consumers should always be informed beforehand of the steps leading to the placing of an order, a purchase, the concluding of a contract or any other commitment. If consumers are required to provide data for this purpose, they should be given an adequate opportunity to check the accuracy of their input before making any commitment
  • Where appropriate, the marketer should respond by accepting or rejecting the consumer’s order
  • Software or other technical devices should not be used to conceal or obscure any material factor, e.g. price and other sales conditions, likely to influence consumers’ decisions. Before making any commitment the consumer should be able to easily access the information needed to understand the exact nature of the product, as well as the purchase price, shipping and other costs of purchase

 

Article C8. Respecting consumer wishes

 

  • Marketers should respect a consumer’s wish not to receive direct marketing communications by e.g. signing on to a preference system or utilizing another system, such as mailbox stickers. Marketers who are communicating with consumers internationally should, where possible avail themselves of the appropriate preference service in the markets to which they are addressing their communications and respect consumers’ wishes not to receive such communications (see also General Provisions, article 19, data protection and privacy)
  • Direct marketing sent electronically should include a clear and transparent mechanism enabling the consumer to express the wish not to receive future solicitations

 

 

National 

 

 

The Self-Regulatory Organisation RO apply the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communication Code in Sweden, as above. From a more local source, The Swedish Direct Marketing Association (SWEDMA) publishes a series of Codes for different aspects of Direct Marketing

 

 

 

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International

SECTION C: DIRECT ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

 

 

Direct Marketing of Goods and Services in EU

ICLG April 2024. Clear and informative and (EN)

2024 GDMA International email benchmark 

Posted June 2024

 

APPLICABLE SELF-REGULATION AND LEGISLATION 

 

  • For content rules in all channels, refer to the earlier content section B. The principal source of general international content rules is the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (EN 2024), which applies to all channels. Where there are content rules specific to the channels in this section, we show them below
  • The channel rules shown here are ‘general’ cross-border regulations, i.e. those channel rules that apply to product sectors that do not attract particular restrictions in, for example, youth databases; rules for channel-sensitive product sectors such as alcohol or gambling can be found under their respective headings on the main website
  • Chapter C of the ICC Code (full code linked above): Direct Marketing and Digital Marketing Communications; General Provisions of the ICC Code will also apply
  • Directive 2000/31/EC on electronic commerce carries the rules on information to be provided in commercial communications in an e-commerce context; extracts below 
  • Directive 2002/58/EC on privacy and electronic communications carries the rules on privacy/ consent, setting out the prevailing European opt-in regime; extracts below
  • GDPR may apply if processing personal data; check privacy issues with specialist advisors 
  • See this November 2021 judgement from CJEU re unsolicited 'Inbox advertising' and related article from GALA/ Lexology here 

 

 
LEGISLATION

 

Directive 2002/58/EC; Article 13

Unsolicited communications

 

  1. The use of automated calling systems without human intervention (automatic calling machines), facsimile machines (fax) or electronic mail for the purposes of direct marketing may only be allowed in respect of subscribers who have given their prior consent
  2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, where a natural or legal person obtains from its customers their electronic contact details for electronic mail, in the context of the sale of a product or a service, in accordance with Directive 95/46/EC*, the same natural or legal person may use these electronic contact details for direct marketing of its own similar products or services provided that customers clearly and distinctly are given the opportunity to object, free of charge and in an easy manner, to such use of electronic contact details when they are collected and on the occasion of each message in case the customer has not initially refused such use
  3. Member States shall take appropriate measures to ensure that, free of charge, unsolicited communications for purposes of direct marketing, in cases other than those referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, are not allowed either without the consent of the subscribers concerned or in respect of subscribers who do not wish to receive these communications, the choice between these options to be determined by national legislation
  4. In any event, the practice of sending electronic mail for purposes of direct marketing disguising or concealing the identity of the sender on whose behalf the communication is made, or without a valid address to which the recipient may send a request that such communications cease, shall be prohibited
  5. Paragraphs 1 and 3 shall apply to subscribers who are natural persons. Member States shall also ensure, in the framework of Community law and applicable national legislation, that the legitimate interests of subscribers other than natural persons with regard to unsolicited communications are sufficiently protected

* Repealed; GDPR applies 

 

Directive 2000/31/EC: Article 5
General information to be provided in an e-Commerce context

 

  1. In addition to other information requirements established by community law, member states shall ensure that the service provider shall render easily, directly and permanently accessible to the recipients of the service and competent authorities, at least the following information:

 

  1. The name of the service provider
  2. The geographic address at which the service provider is established
  3. The details of the service provider, including his electronic mail address, which allow him to be contacted rapidly and communicated with in a direct and effective manner
  4. Where the service provider is registered in a trade or similar public register, the trade register in which the service provider is entered and his registration number, or equivalent means of identification in that register
  5. Where the activity is subject to an authorisation scheme, the particulars of the relevant supervisory authority
  6. As concerns the regulated professions

 

- any professional body or similar institution with which the service provider is registered

- the professional title and the Member State where it has been granted

- a reference to the applicable professional rules in the Member State of establishment and the means to access them
 

  1. Where the service provider undertakes an activity that is subject to VAT, the identification number referred to in Article 22(1) of the sixth Council Directive 77/388/EEC of 17 May 1977 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to turnover taxes - Common system of value added tax: uniform basis of assessment (29)
  2. In addition to other information requirements established by Community law, Member States shall at least ensure that, where information society services refer to prices, these are to be indicated clearly and unambiguously and, in particular, must indicate whether they are inclusive of tax and delivery costs

 

Section 2: Commercial communications
Article 6

 

  • Information to be provided: In addition to other information requirements established by Community law, Member States shall ensure that commercial communications which are part of, or constitute, an information society service comply at least with the following conditions:

 

  1. The commercial communication shall be clearly identifiable as such
  2. The natural or legal person on whose behalf the commercial communication is made shall be clearly identifiable
  3. Promotional offers, such as discounts, premiums and gifts, where permitted in the Member State where the service provider is established, shall be clearly identifiable as such, and the conditions which are to be met to qualify for them shall be easily accessible and be presented clearly and unambiguously
  4. Promotional competitions or games, where permitted in the Member State where the service provider is established, shall be clearly identifiable as such, and the conditions for participation shall be easily accessible and be presented clearly and unambiguously

 

 

Article 7
Unsolicited commercial communication

 

  1. In addition to other requirements established by Community law, Member States which permit unsolicited commercial communication by electronic mail shall ensure that such commercial communication by a service provider established in their territory shall be identifiable clearly and unambiguously as such as soon as it is received by the recipient
  2. Without prejudice to Directive 97/7/EC and Directive 97/66/EC, Member States shall take measures to ensure that service providers undertaking unsolicited commercial communications by electronic mail consult regularly and respect the opt-out registers in which natural persons not wishing to receive such commercial communications can register themselves
 
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EU guidance documents

 

  • Opinion 5/2004 on unsolicited communications for marketing purposes under article 13 of Directive 2002/58/EC. Adopted on 27 February 2004 (WP 90)
  • Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on unsolicited commercial communications or 'spam'
    http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/GA/TXT/?uri=celex:52004DC0028 
  • November 2021 judgement from CJEU re unsolicited 'Inbox advertising' and related article from GALA/ Lexology here 
  • Opinion 15/2011 on the definition of consent here 
  • May 2020 Guidelines on Consent under Regulation 2016/679 here
 
 
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6. Own Websites & SNS

Sector

SECTION C: MARKETERS' OWN WEBSITES

 

 

CONTEXT

 

The same principle that applies in paid space also applies in non-paid space such as marketers’ own websites and SNS spaces: if the communication from the owner is advertising, it’s subject to the rules. The definition of advertising is therefore important: the two key sources are here ICC & MA The ICC definition is ‘any communications produced directly by or on behalf of marketers intended primarily to promote products or to influence consumer behaviour.’ The Swedish Marketing Act defines marketing as including ‘all statements, regardless of medium, that have a commercial purpose and which are subject to purely commercial circumstances.’Clearly, not all communications on owned websites are commercial communications, or advertising. In this context, the best source of exemptions is EASA’s Digital Marketing Communications Best Practice Guide. Exemptions include, for example, User Generated Content, unless it has been endorsed by the marketer. The same principle applies to viral communications

 

MARKETING ON OWN WEBSITE 

 

Alcohol Advertising Recommendations Section 2.6. 

 

  • The first page of the website should clearly state that the site contains alcoholic beverages. Access to the site requires active age verification. The age limit should be 20 years
  • Alcoholic beverages and brands should be kept separate from content that does not constitute marketing of alcoholic beverages. This also applies to the page on which the visitor lands directly after the landing page or the landing page from a banner or similar
  • Comment: Pages that deal exclusively with the company and its operations, but which do not promote individual alcoholic beverages, are exempted from the limitations in design since they are not about the marketing of alcoholic beverages
  • On individual pages of the website, which do not contain alcoholic beverages but, for example, advertisements for water and soft drinks, where there are links that lead to other pages with alcoholic beverages, It should be made clear at that point that the link leads to such alcohol marketing
 
 

Consumer Agency Guidelines
Extracts from Section 4

 

  • 4.1 CAG. When marketing on the Internet, Section 2 should be observed as regards both the technical design and the content of the advertisement. Marketing on the internet also means marketing in social media, apps and the like
  • 4.2 The website's homepage should clearly state if it includes the marketing of alcoholic beverages. On the pages containing such marketing, the applicable age limit for the purchase of those marketed beverages should also be clearly stated
  • 4.3 Marketing should only take place on sites where the target audience or at least 70% of the visitors consist of persons over 25 years of age. Only on such websites should marketing that leads via links to websites with alcohol advertising occur. When using different ad networks and the like, it is the responsibility of the advertiser to ensure that marketing does not end up on sites other than those referenced above
  • 4.4 Websites that sell alcohol or focus primarily on alcohol promotion should check the visitor's age before he/ she is given the opportunity to access the site's content. This check should be undertaken using the most appropriate technology available
  • 4.5. Paragraphs 4.2 - 4.4 do not cover grocery retailers' websites which, in addition to marketing for, inter alia, foodstuffs, contain marketing for beverages with an alcoholic strength of not more than 3.5% ABV
  • 4.6 Advertising designed to attract particular attention, such as pop-ups, may not be used

 

ALCOHOL ADVERTISING POLICIES FROM SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

 

https://www.g-regs.com/downloads/EUSocialMediaAdPoliciesAlcohol_SW.pdf

 

TikTok is not included in the above; their rules are here

 

IARD

 

The International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD), which organisation includes most major alcohol producers manufacturers, publish Digital Guiding Principles to supplement their Guiding Principles. The scope of the DGPs is 'relevant to all branded alcohol beverage digital marketing communications (paid and unpaid), including but not limited to advertising and marketing communications on websites such as social network sites and blogs, as well as mobile communications and applications, where the content of those communications is under the control of alcohol beverage companies’ marketers.' Members are hereIn September 2021, IARD published Responsibility standards for the use of social influencers in alcohol marketing (EN)

 

 

 

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General

SECTION C: MARKETERS' OWN WEBSITES

 

 

CONTEXT

 

The same principle that applies in paid space also applies in non-paid such as marketers’ own websites and SNS spaces: if the communication from the owner is advertising, it’s covered. Advertising is defined by the ICC Code (EN 2018, 2024 code here), which is applicable as the general advertising code in Sweden, as  ‘any communications produced directly by or on behalf of marketers intended primarily to promote products or to influence consumer behaviour.’ This section also includes commentary/ guidance on social media and blogging/ influencers specifically, as well as some e-Commerce rules. See our earlier section A Overview for recent case law relating to Influencers and identification

 

STANDARD RULES

 

  • All of the content rules set out in section B apply to marketers’ own marcoms on their own website(s), except those specific to broadcast. The definition of a marketing communication is therefore important – see above
  • Exemptions, i.e. those communications that do not qualify, are set out in the EASA Digital Marketing Communications 2023 Best Practice document: while the document is not binding, it’s the best source for understanding exemptions. Those include User-Generated Content (UGC), except when it has been endorsed by the marketer. The same principle applies to viral marketing communications
  • The self-regulatory code on the basis of which RO make rulings is the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (EN; the ICC 2018 Code, as linked above under the context header; 2024 code here) which applies to commercial communications online
  • Content and channel rules from the Marketing Act (EN) also apply online. See our content section B for key extracts. The translation of the Marketing Act linked here does not incorporate revisions introduced as a result of the transposition effective July 1, 2022 of the 2019/2161 Directive (the Omnibus Directive). Provisions, transposed by the government bill here (SW), include that platforms must make available the criteria deployed for search rankings and also confirm the integrity of consumer reviews
  • Re above, the Price Information Act is also affected by the 2019/2161 Directive; see content section B for new rules on price promotions - extracted Directive article here (EN)
  • Websites devoted to products or services that are subject to age restrictions such as Alcoholic Beverages, Gambling and Tobacco products should undertake measures to restrict access by minors (Art. C7, ICC Code)

 

e-COMMERCE

 

From the Law 2002: 562 (SW) on electronic commerce and other information society services which implemented Directive 2000/31/EC, the e-Commerce Directive. Key requirements in an e-commerce context here (EN)

 

We have been unable to trace where the additional clauses from the directive in the linked document (under 'here' above) are specifically implemented in Swedish law. RO advise us that they are ‘covered’ under Sections 12 Material information and 10 Misleading omission respectively of the Marketing Act. The linked MA document is a translation, within which the links to the original MA in Swedish are volatile. This worked at the time of writing

 

 

 SOCIAL MEDIA/ BLOGS

 

 

Nordic Consumer Ombudsmen guidance 

 

The Nordic Consumer Ombudsmen's position on marketing via social media; in Swedish. Translated here

The Nordic Consumer agency’s position on covert marketing; in Swedish. Translated here

 

LEGISLATION AND SELF-REGULATION: IDENTIFICATION

 

Section 9 of The Marketing Act:

  • All marketing shall be formulated and presented in such a way that it is clear that it is a matter of marketing. The party responsible for the marketing shall also be clearly indicated. However, this does not apply to representations whose sole purpose is to attract attention ahead of follow-up representations (note: this latter sentence exempts teaser advertising)

 

Article 7 of the ICC Code (EN 2018, 2024 code here). Identification and transparency 

 

  • Marketing communications should be clearly distinguishable as such, whatever their form and whatever the medium used. When an advertisement, including so-called “native advertising”, appears in a medium containing news or editorial matter, it should be so presented that it is readily recognisable as an advertisement and where appropriate, labelled as such. The true commercial purpose of marketing communications should be transparent and not misrepresent their true commercial purpose. Hence, a communication promoting the sale of a product should not be disguised as, for example, market research, consumer surveys, user-generated content, private blogs, private postings on social media or independent reviews

Article 8. Identity of the marketer

 

  • The identity of the marketer should be transparent. Marketing communications should, where appropriate, include contact information to enable the consumer to get in touch with the marketer without difficulty. The above does not apply to communications with the sole purpose of attracting attention to communication activities to follow (e.g. 'teaser' ads)

Swedish Advertisers' Guide to Successful Influencer Marketing; January 2019

 

The document sets out a checklist of how to work with Influencers. It includes some guidance on the regulatory issues; key clause in this context is the first bullet point:

 

  • That the influencer commits to follow the Consumer Agency's social media guide (SW) and the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communication rules
  • While the link above takes you to a legitimate document, the most recent Consumer Agency Guidelines on Marketing in Social Media is here 
  • The most recent review of this text (March 2020) indicates that the Swedish Advertisers document is now behind a pay/ membership wall

 

 

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International

 

CONTEXT

 

The same principle that applies in paid space also applies in non-paid such as marketers’ own websites and SNS spaces: if the communication from the owner is advertising, it’s ‘in remit’, i.e. covered by the rules. Clearly, much of a brand website may not be advertising, but it's important to understand what may 'qualify', and different countries have different definitions. In this international context the most relevant definition is from the ICC Code: ‘any communications produced directly by or on behalf of marketers intended primarily to promote products or to influence consumer behaviour’. The other aspect of this environment that can be subject to regulatory issues is that of 'dialogue' between brand owners and consumers, where Consent and Information requirements may apply; see our General rules sector for specifics

 

APPLICABLE SELF-REGULATION, LEGISLATION AND GUIDANCE 

 

ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (EN 2024); Chapter C Direct Marketing and Digital Marketing Communications

Directive 2002/58/EC on privacy and electronic communications

Directive 2000/31/EC on electronic commerce

Directive 2005/29/EC on unfair commercial practices (UCPD)

Directive 2018/1808 amending AVMS Directive 2010/13/EU (AVMSD)

EASA Best Practice Recommendation on Digital Marketing Communications 2023

 

Standard rules

 

  • For content rules in all channels, refer to the earlier content section B. The principal source of general international content rules is the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (EN), which applies to all channels. Where there are content rules specific to the channels in this section, we show them below
  • These channel rules are ‘general’ cross-border regulations, i.e. those channel rules that apply to product sectors that do not attract particular restrictions in, for example, youth-oriented content; rules for channel-sensitive product sectors such as alcohol or gambling can be found under their respective headings on the main website
 
LEGISLATION

 

Directive 2002/58/EC on Privacy and Electronic communications; Article 13

Unsolicited communications

 
  1. The use of automated calling systems without human intervention (automatic calling machines), facsimile machines (fax) or electronic mail for the purposes of direct marketing may only be allowed in respect of subscribers who have given their prior consent
  2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, where a natural or legal person obtains from its customers their electronic contact details for electronic mail, in the context of the sale of a product or a service, in accordance with Directive 95/46/EC, the same natural or legal person may use these electronic contact details for direct marketing of its own similar products or services provided that customers clearly and distinctly are given the opportunity to object, free of charge and in an easy manner, to such use of electronic contact details when they are collected and on the occasion of each message in case the customer has not initially refused such use
  3. Member States shall take appropriate measures to ensure that, free of charge, unsolicited communications for purposes of direct marketing, in cases other than those referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, are not allowed either without the consent of the subscribers concerned or in respect of subscribers who do not wish to receive these communications, the choice between these options to be determined by national legislation
  4. In any event, the practice of sending electronic mail for purposes of direct marketing disguising or concealing the identity of the sender on whose behalf the communication is made, or without a valid address to which the recipient may send a request that such communications cease, shall be prohibited
  5. Paragraphs 1 and 3 shall apply to subscribers who are natural persons. Member States shall also ensure, in the framework of Community law and applicable national legislation, that the legitimate interests of subscribers other than natural persons with regard to unsolicited communications are sufficiently protected
 
Directive 2000/31/EC on e-Commerce: Article 5
General information to be provided
 
  1. In addition to other information requirements established by Community law, Member States shall ensure that the service provider shall render easily, directly and permanently accessible to the recipients of the service and competent authorities, at least the following information
     
(a) The name of the service provider
(b) The geographic address at which the service provider is established
(c) The details of the service provider, including his electronic mail address, which allow him to be contacted rapidly and communicated with in a direct and effective manner
(d) Where the service provider is registered in a trade or similar public register, the trade register in which the service provider is entered and his registration number, or equivalent means of identification in that register
(e) Where the activity is subject to an authorisation scheme, the particulars of the relevant supervisory authority
(f) As concerns the regulated professions
 
- any professional body or similar institution with which the service provider is registered
- the professional title and the Member State where it has been granted
- a reference to the applicable professional rules in the Member State of establishment and the means to access them
 
(g) Where the service provider undertakes an activity that is subject to VAT, the identification number referred to in Article 22(1) of the sixth Council Directive 77/388/EEC of 17 May 1977 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to turnover taxes - Common system of value added tax: uniform basis of assessment(29)
  1. In addition to other information requirements established by Community law, Member States shall at least ensure that, where information society services refer to prices, these are to be indicated clearly and unambiguously and, in particular, must indicate whether they are inclusive of tax and delivery costs
 
Section 2: Commercial communications
Article 6
 
Information to be provided: In addition to other information requirements established by Community law, Member States shall ensure that commercial communications which are part of, or constitute, an information society service comply at least with the following conditions:
 
  1. The commercial communication shall be clearly identifiable as such
  2. The natural or legal person on whose behalf the commercial communication is made shall be clearly identifiable
  3. Promotional offers, such as discounts, premiums and gifts, where permitted in the Member State where the service provider is established, shall be clearly identifiable as such, and the conditions which are to be met to qualify for them shall be easily accessible and be presented clearly and unambiguously
  4. Promotional competitions or games, where permitted in the Member State where the service provider is established, shall be clearly identifiable as such, and the conditions for participation shall be easily accessible and be presented clearly and unambiguously
 
Article 7. Unsolicited commercial communication
 
  1. In addition to other requirements established by community law, member states which permit unsolicited commercial communication by electronic mail shall ensure that such commercial communication by a service provider established in their territory shall be identifiable clearly and unambiguously as such as soon as it is received by the recipient
  2. Without prejudice to Directive 97/7/EC and Directive 97/66/EC, member states shall take measures to ensure that service providers undertaking unsolicited commercial communications by electronic mail consult regularly and respect the opt-out registers in which natural persons not wishing to receive such commercial communications can register themselves
 
Directive 2005/29/EC on Unfair Commercial Practices (UCPD)
Article 7. Misleading omissions (includes reference to 'Invitation to Purchase')

 

  1. A commercial practice shall be regarded as misleading if, in its factual context, taking account of all its features and circumstances and the limitations of the communication medium, it omits material information that the average consumer needs, according to the context, to take an informed transactional decision and thereby causes or is likely to cause the average consumer to take a transactional decision that he would not have taken otherwise
  2. It shall also be regarded as a misleading omission when, taking account of the matters described in paragraph 1, a trader hides or provides in an unclear, unintelligible, ambiguous or untimely manner such material information as referred to in that paragraph or fails to identify the commercial intent of the commercial practice if not already apparent from the context, and where, in either case, this causes or is likely to cause the average consumer to take a transactional decision that he would not have taken otherwise
  3. Where the medium used to communicate the commercial practice imposes limitations of space or time, these limitations and any measures taken by the trader to make the information available to consumers by other means shall be taken into account in deciding whether information has been omitted
  4. In the case of an invitation to purchase, the following information shall be regarded as material, if not already apparent from the context:

 

  1. the main characteristics of the product, to an extent appropriate to the medium and the product
  2. the geographical address and the identity of the trader, such as his trading name and, where applicable, the geographical address and the identity of the trader on whose behalf he is acting
  3. the price inclusive of taxes, or where the nature of the product means that the price cannot reasonably be calculated in advance, the manner in which the price is calculated, as well as, where appropriate, all additional freight, delivery or postal charges or, where these charges cannot reasonably be calculated in advance, the fact that such additional charges may be payable
  4. the arrangements for payment, delivery, performance and the complaint handling policy, if they depart from the requirements of professional diligence
  5. for products and transactions involving a right of withdrawal or cancellation, the existence of such a right

 

5.   Information requirements established by Community law in relation to commercial communication including advertising or marketing, a non-exhaustive list of which is contained in Annex II, shall be regarded as material

 
Directive 2018/1808 amending the AVMS Directive 

 

  • Extends rules across online platforms (provided that the service qualifies as an audiovisual media service or video sharing platform); the key amends to the Directive's content rules are assembled here

  • For video sharing platforms, articles 28a and 28b in the Directive linked above apply. We recommend perusal. From a commercial communications perspective, the key new ingredients are that article 9 of the AVMSD applies (found here) and that video-sharing platform providers 'clearly inform users where programmes and user-generated videos contain audiovisual commercial communications' - where they are aware of those - and provide a facility for those uploading also to declare the presence of commercial commnications  

 

GUIDANCE

 

EU Guidance/ opinion documents

 

 
 
2.2.5. Marketer-owned digital properties
 
As established in the previous sections, all marketing communications, as defined by the ICC Code, fall within the remit of SR systems. It is not, however, always immediately apparent to what extent content on marketer-owned digital properties may constitute marketing communications and thus fall within the remit of the SROs. It should never be automatically assumed that a marketer-owned digital property is a marketing communication in its entirety. The actual content of the marketer-owned digital property must be reviewed to determine that which is marketing communication content and that which is not. For this purpose the following criteria establish whether or not the content, or part of the content of a marketer-owned digital property constitutes a marketing communication:
 
  • Claims (implied, direct, written, spoken and visual) about products or marketers, where the claim is not made in the context of editorial content, annual reports, CSR reports, or similar
  • Where they pertain to the marketing communications and commercial practices covered by the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (for example, price promotions and invitations to purchase)
  • Third-party UGC and/or viral marketing that has been distributed or endorsed by the marketer
  • Marketing communications that have previously appeared, in the same or comparable form, on other media platforms, including online media platforms

 

SOCIAL NETWORK SITES

 

  1. FACEBOOK

  1. INSTAGRAM 
  1. TWITTER:
  1. YOUTUBE: advertiser friendly content guidelines here:
  1. SNAPCHAT:
  1. GOOGLE +
  1. TIK TOK

 

 

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7. Native Advertising

Sector

SECTION C: NATIVE ADVERTISING

 

CONTEXT

 

Also known as sponsored or branded content, this is online and offline advertising designed to fit in with its ‘habitat’, to give consumers a visually consistent experience. Category-specific rules are immediately below. The key regulatory issue is obviously that of identification as advertising; the principal clauses related to that issue are set out under the General tab below

 

 

KEY RULES 

 

  • The Alcohol Act, the Consumer Agency Guidelines and the Alcohol Advertising Recommendations stipulate that alcohol advertising, where it is allowed - in limited print and online channels and in very restricted form – must not be ‘intrusive or targeted/ insistent or encourage the use of alcohol.’
  • Advertising in print periodicals must also be accompanied by Health Messages
  • The rules under the General tab below cover the issue of identifiability of advertising; these rules should be observed by all sectors, Alcohol included

 

 

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General

SECTION C: NATIVE ADVERTISING

 

 

CONTEXT

 

Native advertising is online and offline advertising designed to fit in with its ‘habitat’, to give consumers a visually consistent experienceThe key issue is obviously that of advertising Identifiability, covered extensively in self-regulation and legislation set out below 

 

KEY RULES

 

  • The ‘Native’ form of advertising is like any other advertising - it’s subject to the content rules, in this context the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (EN 2018; 2024 code here), applied in its Swedish version (2018 code) by Ro, the Self-Regulatory Organisation 
  • The Marketing Act (linked below) also applies  
  • The key general rule is that of identifiability/ disclosure. From the linked code above:
 

Article 7 of the ICC Code (2018). Identification and transparency 

 

  • Marketing communications should be clearly distinguishable as such, whatever their form and whatever the medium used. When an advertisement, including so-called “native advertising”, appears in a medium containing news or editorial matter, it should be so presented that it is readily recognisable as an advertisement and where appropriate, labelled as such. The true commercial purpose of marketing communications should be transparent and not misrepresent their true commercial purpose. Hence, a communication promoting the sale of a product should not be disguised as, for example, market research, consumer surveys, user-generated content, private blogs, private postings on social media or independent reviews

 

Article 8. Identity of the Marketer

 

  • The identity of the marketer should be transparent. Marketing communications should, where appropriate, include contact information to enable the consumer to get in touch with the marketer without difficulty. The above does not apply to communications with the sole purpose of attracting attention to communication activities to follow (e.g. so-called “teaser advertisements”

 

The ICC’s Guidance on Native Advertising includes:

 

1. Consumers should be able to recognise when something is an ad. This principle is covered in Articles 9 (of the main ICC Code; article shown above), B1, and D1 as follows:

Article B1 (in part): Sponsorship should be recognisable as such. Article D1 (in part): The commercial nature of product endorsements or reviews created by marketers should be clearly indicated and not be listed as being from an individual consumer or independent body.

2. The identity of the advertiser should be easily ascertainable. This principle is covered by Articles 10 (of the main ICC Code; article shown above) and 12, as follows: Article B12: Media Sponsorship (in part): Sponsored media properties should be identified as such by presentation of the sponsor’s name and/ or logo at the beginning, during and/ or at the end of the programme or publication content. This also applies to online material.

3. Disclosures should be prominent and understandable to consumers. This principle is covered in section 3 as follows: Article 3: Honesty: Marketing communications should be so framed as not to abuse the trust of consumers or exploit their lack of experience or knowledge. Relevant factors likely to affect consumers’ decisions should be communicated in such a way and at such a time that consumers can take them into account

 

 

LEGISLATION

 

  • The Marketing Act (EN) covers the same identification issue under Section 9: ‘All marketing shall be formulated and presented in such a way that it is clear that it is a matter of marketing. The party responsible for the marketing shall also be clearly indicated. However, this does not apply to representations whose sole purpose is to attract attention ahead of follow-up representations’ (note - i.e. teaser advertising)
  • Annex I of the UCPD 2005/29/EC - the 'Blacklist' of Commercial Practices considered 'unfair in all circumstances' - is passed into Swedish law under the Swedish Code of Statutes. The two relevant articles are:

 

  • 11. Using editorial content in the media to promote a product where a trader has paid for the promotion without making that clear in the content or by images or sounds clearly identifiable by the consumer (advertorial). This is without prejudice to Council Directive 89/552/EEC (1)
  • 22. Falsely claiming or creating the impression that the trader is not acting for purposes relating to his trade, business, craft or profession, or falsely representing oneself as a consumer

 

OTHER GUIDANCE

 

 

RULING

 

One of Sweden’s major newspapers teamed up with a telecom operator who finances a particular section of the newspaper under the title ‘The Digital Life’. This section and all of its material, including promotions of products which the telecom operator was about to launch, appear as the newspaper’s editorial content; the only disclosure of the commercial nature of the presented material is the discrete appearance of the text ‘in collaboration with’ followed by the telecom operator's trademark. The Swedish Consumer Agency assessed that the practice was in breach of Point 11 of Annex I UCPD. Case reference: Ärenden 2016/53 and 2015/1000:

http://diabasweb.kov.se/arenlist.asp

 

 

 

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International

SECTION C: NATIVE ADVERTISING

 

 

NATIVE

 

Also known as sponsored or branded content, this is online and offline advertising designed to fit in with its ‘habitat’, to give consumers a visually consistent experience. IAB Europe's How to Comply with EU Rules Applicable to Online Native Advertising provides some categories of native ads, some good practice recommendations, and a summary of EU rules. General rules, i.e. those that apply to all product sectors, are immediately below

 

APPLICABLE  SELF-REGULATION LEGISLATION AND GUIDANCE

 

ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (EN 2024)

Directive 2005/29/EC on Unfair Commercial Practices (UCPD)

IAB Europe Guidance (as above in intro): How to Comply with EU Rules Applicable to Online Native Advertising (December 2016) here

And in December 2021 IAB Europe's Guide to Native Advertising provides 'up-to-date insight into native ad formats and best practices for buyers.' 

 

Standard rules

 

  • For content rules in all channels, refer to the earlier content section B. The principal source of general international content rules is the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (EN 2024), which applies to all channels; the native technique is no different in that if it's advertising, it's subject to the rules
  • These channel rules are ‘general’ cross-border regulations, i.e. those channel rules that apply to product sectors that do not attract particular restrictions in, for example, youth publications; rules for channel-sensitive product sectors such as alcohol or gambling can be found under their respective headings on the main website

 

Self-regulation: key rules from the ICC Code
2024 amends in italics 

 

Identification and transparency (Art. 7)

 

  • Marketing communications should be clearly distinguishable as such, whatever their form and whatever the medium used. When an advertisement, including so-called “native advertising”, appears in a medium containing news or editorial matter, it should be so presented that it is readily recognisable as an advertisement and where appropriate, labelled as such. The true commercial purpose of marketing communications should be transparent and not misrepresent their true commercial purpose. Hence, a communication promoting the sale of a product should not be disguised as, for example, market research, consumer surveys, user-generated content, private blogs, private postings on social media or independent reviews.
  • Marketing communications, regardless of format or medium, should be easily identifiable, allowing consumers to clearly distinguish between commercial and non-commercial content
  • Identification disclosures should be prominent, clear, easily legible and appear in close proximity to the commercial message where they are unlikely to be overlooked by consumers
  • Marketing communications should be transparent about their true commercial purpose, and not misrepresent it. Hence, a communication promoting the sale of goods, or the contracting of a service should not be disguised, for example as news, editorial matter, market research, consumer surveys, consumer reviews, user-generated content, private blogs, private postings on social media or independent reviews etc.
  • In the case of mixed content, such as with news or editorial matter or social media, the marketing communication element should be made clearly distinguishable as such, and its commercial nature should be transparent. It should be so presented that it is readily and immediately recognisable as a marketing communication and where appropriate, labelled as such.

 

 

Identity of the marketer (Art. 8)

 

  • The identity of the marketer should be transparent. Marketing communications should, where appropriate, include contact information to enable the consumer to get in touch with the marketer without difficulty. The above does not apply to communications with the sole purpose of attracting attention to communication activities to follow (e.g. so-called 'teaser advertisements').

 

Legislation 

 

Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005/29/EC, Annex I

Commercial practices which are in all circumstances considered unfair

 

  • 11. Using editorial content in the media to promote a product where a trader has paid for the promotion without making that clear in the content or by images or sounds clearly identifiable by the consumer (advertorial). This is without prejudice to Council Directive 89/552/EEC

  • 22. Falsely claiming or creating the impression that the trader is not acting for purposes relating to his trade, business, craft or profession, or falsely representing oneself as a consumer

 

 

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8. Telemarketing

Sector

 

 

Following feedback, we no longer cover ​Telemarketing 

General

 

 

Following feedback, we no longer cover Telemarketing 

International

 

Following feedback, we no longer cover Telemarketing 

9. Direct Postal Mail

Sector

SECTION C: DIRECT POSTAL MAIL

 

  • Direct Postal mail material, where allowed, must observe the content rules set out earlier in section B - both sector and general rules, the latter shown beneath the sector rules
  • Channel rules that apply to all product sectors, alcohol included, are shown below under the General tab; these include statutory consent and information requirements  

 

Section 6 Consumer Agency Guidelines. Direct marketing

 

6.1 The main rule is that it is incompatible with the requirement of particular moderation to market alcoholic beverages through direct marketing. However, on the express request of the consumer, such marketing is considered permissible. Notwithstanding the above, addressed mailshots are permitted provided that:

 

  1. The advertisement is addressed to persons over 25 years old
  2. The advertisement is communicated in sealed and opaque envelopes
  3. It is clear that the letter contains alcohol advertising, and
  4. The content of the shipment meets the requirement of special moderation

 

Regular direct mail from the grocery trade, comprising a variety of goods, may include the marketing of beverages whose alcoholic strength does not exceed 3.5% ABV, provided that the advertising complies with the requirement of particular moderation

 

 

 

  • Definition in this context: Direct advertising means marketing that is directly offered to individual consumers through e.g. flyers, SMS, e-mails, letters, etc. Direct advertising includes messages in social media that are directly sent to individuals (direct messages) but not sponsored posts that are reproduced in the stream (feed)

 

  • 2.5.1. Unaddressed Direct Mail. The only unaddressed direct mail that is accepted is conventional mailbox advertising/ mailing from the grocery store. When such advertising covers a number of different products, it may also include the marketing of such alcoholic beverages sold there
  • 2.5.2. Addressed Direct Mail not expressly ordered by the recipient) Advertising may only be sent to persons who have reached the age of 25
  • The advertising must be distributed in such a way that it requires deliberate action by the recipient to access its content. It should therefore be distributed in sealed envelopes and opaque outer packaging
  • It should be clear from the outer packaging that the consignment contains alcohol advertising
  • (In the case of e-mail, the subject line of the email should be compared with the outer packaging of direct mail.) For the direct advertising method that is deployed, relevant NIX (opt out) registers and other relevant advertising blocks must be respected. The same applies to the provisions of the Marketing Act on unpublished advertising. These include that direct mail, e-mail, SMS and MMS and other similar methods require the individual recipient's opt-in
  • Direct advertising that is specifically ordered by the recipient may be sent provided that at the time of ordering, he / she declared to be of such age that he / she can buy the alcoholic drinks to which the advertisement refers

 

 

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General

SECTION C: DIRECT POSTAL MAIL

 

 

OVERVIEW

 

  • All of the content rules set out in section B apply to DM marcoms (marcoms are ‘any form of communication produced directly by or on behalf of marketers intended primarily to promote products or to influence consumer behaviour'), except those rules prohibiting appeal to children in broadcast advertising
  • This section does not address ‘mail drops’ as in the delivery of unaddressed leaflets, flyers etc., though those may remain subject to advertising content rules. These paragraphs cover addressed mail (including those addressed to ‘the occupier’ etc.) in ‘hard’ form
  • The self-regulatory code applied by RO is the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (EN 2018; 2024 code here). Content and channel rules from the Marketing Act also apply in DM. See our content section B
  • The data processing legislation that applies before transmission is not shown here; be aware that if data processing includes personal data (that which identifies an individual) then it may be subject to the GDPR, directly applicable in all member states. Swedish legislation complements the GDPR with the new Data Protection Act 2018:218 (SW), which repeals and replaces the former Personal Data Act 1998:204
  • The following rules address the required information in the communication, the opt-out process, and consumer consent in order to send it

 

LEGISLATION

 

  • Section 21 of the Marketing Act provides for Opt-out consent: ‘A trader may use methods for individual distance communication other than those referred to in Section 19 (electronic systems), unless the natural person has clearly objected to the use of such methods’
  • Direct mail marketing is therefore allowed to individual subscribers unless they have clearly objected to receiving advertising; applicable to B2C and not to B2B. The opt-out principle should apply to B2B in absence of regulation, but legal advice should be sought in the event of uncertainty
  • Section 4 of the Marketing Act applies Annex I of the Directive 2005/29/EC in Swedish law. The Government has published the relevant annex in the Swedish Code of Statutes. Annex I is the ‘Blacklist’ – 31 commercial practices in all circumstances considered unfair. No. 26 of the list is ‘Making persistent and unwanted solicitations by telephone, fax, e-mail or other remote media except in circumstances and to the extent justified under national law to enforce a contractual obligation.’

 

Invitation to purchase

 

Defined in EU legislation UCPD 2005/29/EC as ‘a commercial communication that indicates characteristics of the product and the price in a way appropriate to the means of the commercial communication used and thereby enables the consumer to make a purchase.’ DM can include this kind of advertising, hence the rules below. From Section 12 of the Marketing Act, which implements the UCPD, among others:

 

  • In a representation where the trader offers consumers a specific product with a stated price the following material information must be provided:
     

1. The product’s distinguishing characteristics to the extent appropriate to the media and product

2. Price and unit price stated as stipulated in Sections 7-10 of the Price Information Act (2004:347)

3. The identity and geographical address of the trader

4. Terms and conditions of payment, delivery, performance and processing of complaints if these deviate from normal practice in the industry or for the product in question

5. Information concerning the right of withdrawal or the right to cancel a purchase, which must be supplied to the consumer by law
 

  • Failure to clearly present the information listed under Section 12 will be regarded as misleading marketing. Marketing will also be deemed misleading if the trader in a representation offers consumers several specific products at a common price, without the offer containing material information under points 1-5 in the bullet point above
 

SELF-REGULATION

 

The ICC Code

 

Rules applicable to 'Direct Marketing and Digital Marketing Communications' (scope includes non-digital) from Chapter C of the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (EN 2018; 2024 code here) are here. Key extracts (there are 22 articles in 2018 Chapter C) are:

 

Article C1. Identification and transparency

 
  • Marketing communications should be properly identified as such in accordance with Article 7 of the General Provisions. Subject descriptors should be accurate and the commercial nature of the communication should be transparent to the consumer
  • ​Where a marketer has created or offered consideration for a product endorsement or review, the commercial nature should be transparent. In such cases, the endorsement or review should not state or imply that it is from or conferred by an individual consumer or independent body
  • Any image, sound or text which, by its size, volume or any other visual characteristic, is likely to materially reduce or obscure the legibility and clarity of the offer should be avoided
 

Article C4. Presentation

 
  • Wherever appropriate, the essential points of the offer should be simply and clearly summarised together in one place. Essential points of the offer may be clearly repeated, but should not be scattered throughout the promotional material
  • When the presentation of an offer also features products not included in the offer, or where additional products need to be purchased to enable the consumer to use the product on offer, this should be made clear in the original offer
  • Consumers should always be informed beforehand of the steps leading to the placing of an order, a purchase, the concluding of a contract or any other commitment. If consumers are required to provide data for this purpose, they should be given an adequate opportunity to check the accuracy of their input before making any commitment. Where appropriate, the marketer should respond by accepting or rejecting the consumer’s order

 

Article C8. Respecting consumer wishes

 

  • Marketers should respect a consumer’s wish not to receive direct marketing communications by e.g. signing on to a preference system or utilizing another system, such as mailbox stickers. Marketers who are communicating with consumers internationally should, where possible avail themselves of the appropriate preference service in the markets to which they are addressing their communications and respect consumers’ wishes not to receive such communications (see also General Provisions, article 19, data protection and privacy)
  • Direct marketing sent electronically should include a clear and transparent mechanism enabling the consumer to express the wish not to receive future solicitations

 

SWEDMA

 

 

The Swedish Direct Marketing Association is a well-established and respected trade association, publishing a number of codes that reflect accurately relevant legislation. Some of those codes can be found here (SW)

 

 

 

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International

SECTION C: DIRECT POSTAL MAIL

 

 

Applicable self-regulation and legislation 

 

Standard rules

 

  • For content rules, refer to the earlier content section B. The principal source of general international content rules is the ICC code linked immediately above, most of which content rules apply to all channels
  • The UCPD referenced and linked above will also apply to direct postal mail; this legislation provides a broad framework regulating commercial practices of all kinds; articles 6 and 7 establish regulation of misleading actions and misleading omissions respectively 
  • Channel rules in this international context are ‘general’ cross-border regulations, i.e. those channel rules that apply to product sectors that do not attract particular restrictions in, for example, youth databases; rules for channel-sensitive product sectors such as alcohol or gambling can be found under their respective headings on the main website
  • There isn't really a common set of self-regulatory general channel rules that cross borders for direct postal mail (largely a market activity), though article 22 (data protection and privacy) of the iCC Code linked above comes closest, but there is a common principle: unless you have consent to process their personal data and send them material, in other words they have 'opted in', you can't send consumers marketing communications. Postal mail to e.g. 'the occupier' of individual addresses, is generally permitted, though some countries have arrangements whereby local communities display signs preventing, or trying to prevent, delivery.
  • From legislation, the GDPR will apply if processing personal data (that which can identify an individual)

 

 

Legislation

 

As Direct Mail will frequently include offers, when trhat's the case the provisions related to 'Invitations to Purchase' in the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive may apply. Extracts are:

 

4.   In the case of an invitation to purchase, the following information shall be regarded as material, if not already apparent from the context:

 

  1. the main characteristics of the product, to an extent appropriate to the medium and the product
  2. the geographical address and the identity of the trader, such as his trading name and, where applicable, the geographical address and the identity of the trader on whose behalf he is acting
  3. the price inclusive of taxes, or where the nature of the product means that the price cannot reasonably be calculated in advance, the manner in which the price is calculated, as well as, where appropriate, all additional freight, delivery or postal charges or, where these charges cannot reasonably be calculated in advance, the fact that such additional charges may be payable
  4. the arrangements for payment, delivery, performance and the complaint handling policy, if they depart from the requirements of professional diligence
  5. for products and transactions involving a right of withdrawal or cancellation, the existence of such a right

 

5.   Information requirements established by Community law in relation to commercial communication including advertising or marketing, a non-exhaustive list of which is contained in Annex II, shall be regarded as material

 

  • Per above, in the event of processing personal data (i.e. data that will/ can identify an individual) the required legal basis for processing that data may be subject to the GDPR; check privacy issues with specialist advisors

 

 

Guidance

Guidelines on consent under Regulation 2016/679 (May 2020)

 

 

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10. Event Sponsorship/ Field Marketing

Sector

SECTION C: EVENTS/ SPONSORSHIP

 

  • Any associated sponsorship material should observe the content rules for alcohol specifically and advertising generally, the former set out in the content section B, the latter under the General tab in the same section. More specific provisions follow
  • Note that the channel rules set out here are specific to the alcohol sector; the channel rules that apply to all sectors, found under the General tab below, also apply. These include, for example, sponsorship rules from the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (EN 2018; 2024 code here) Chapter B
  • Given the nature of the alcohol regulatory environment in Sweden, sponsorship by alcohol producers is likely to be a sensitive issue, especially at any event that may be attended by a significant proportion of under 25s. Interestingly, an adjudication (SW) in the case of the Consumer Ombudsman (KO) against Berntson Brands AB (Jägermeister), with regard to the interpretation of ‘particular moderation’, ruled against the use of ‘a fire show’ in Gothenburg but allowed Jägermeister branded ‘banners, cars and car roof boxes’. See Point 6. Adjudications, content section B
  • The court held that the use of the banners complied with the requirement of ‘particular moderation’. The same conclusion was drawn in relation to the use of the branded cars and car roof boxes since they were not considered to be intrusive, or seek to encourage consumption. The Consumer Ombudsman failed to provide any research showing that a ban on branded cars would discourage misuse

 

Tastings; Section 7, Consumer Agency Guidelines

 

  • 7.1 The arrangement of tastings of alcoholic drinks in public events, for example at wine fairs and similar events, is permitted when the conditions set out in Chapter 8, Section 6 (those conditions are either that the organiser has a permanent serving permit or the wholesaler obtains temporary authorisation) of the Alcohol Act are fulfilled.
    The sampling shall be accompanied by the condition that the gift requirements in Chapter 7, Section 2 of the Alcohol Act are observed. (‘Anyone who manufactures, sells or acts as an agent for the sale of alcoholic beverages may, in his operations, supply such beverages as a gift only in the form of product samples. Such beverages may not be supplied as gifts in connection with the marketing of services or the sale of products other than alcoholic beverages.’)
  • 7.2 Producers of alcoholic beverages from raw materials produced on their own farm may offer tasting of the self-produced beverages when the conditions set out in Chapter 8, Section 7 of the Alcohol Act are fulfilled (those conditions are, basically, that anyone who produces alcoholic beverages from raw materials produced on their own farm and who has a permanent serving permit is entitled to, after notification to the municipality, offer tasting at the manufacturing site, or obtain special permission to do so)
    The sampling shall be accompanied by a condition that the gift requirements in Chapter 7, Section 2 of the Alcohol Act (as above) are observed.
  • 7.3. Systembolaget (https://www.systembolaget.se/vart-uppdrag/) may, according to Chapter 8, Section 1 of the Alcohol Act, arrange for the tasting of alcoholic drinks for the public according to the guidelines of the agreement between the state and the company.

 

 

The following rules, taken from the Consumer Agency Guidelines linked above, are not necessarily specific to Event Sponsorship/ Field Marketing, but may be applied

 

  • 2.7 Marketing should not be associated with situations such as driving, sports, violent situations, weapons, drugs, pregnancy, school, or work where, according to generally accepted opinion, alcohol consumption should not occur. This applies to the design of the marketing as well as the context in which it occurs
  • 2.3 In accordance with the Alcohol Act, marketing may not be directed towards or depict children or young people who have not yet reached the age of 25. The assessment of whether marketing is designed in such a way as to attract children or young people should be based on an overall review. This means that the actual products being marketed, the manufacturer’s presentation as a whole, and the context in which the marketing occurs should be taken into consideration. Symbols or scenarios that can be connected especially with, or which attract children or young people under the age of 25, may not be used.
    Alcohol marketing, except ‘passive’ selling of alcoholic beverages, should only occur in events, such as festivals, where the target group or at least 70% of participants are expected to be over 25 years old​
  • 2.4 Persuasive or particularly active marketing is deemed to encourage the use of alcohol and is not permitted

 

Section 2.7 AAR

 

Situations that should not be associated with alcohol consumption

 

  • The marketing of alcoholic beverages must not, in the context in which it occurs, be associated with situations where, according to generally accepted opinion, alcohol consumption should not occur. It means, for example, sports (exercise as well as spectator), work, pregnancy, or traffic (driving a vehicle that the average consumer might normally be considered to be driving)
  • Comment: The rule aims to prevent marketing in connection with the consumption of alcohol in the workplace, in connection with driving a car or during pregnancy
  • Marketing should therefore not occur e.g. on a website with information for pregnant women, in newsletters from trade unions or in motor magazines. The fact that alcoholic beverages are not to be linked to sports follows, among other things, a ruling in the Market Court. However, the judgment does not prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages in connection with / at sporting events

 

Section 4.6. AAR

 

Gift Prohibition

 

  • According to the Alcohol Act, it is not allowed to give alcoholic beverages as a gift when marketing services or other goods. However, anyone who manufactures, sells or facilitates the sale of alcoholic beverages may, in their transfer, submit such beverages as a gift in the form of sample goods
  • Product samples may only be given to licensees (restaurateurs, wholesalers, etc.) who are entitled to purchase the product directly from the person submitting the product sample and only for the purpose of the recipient to assess the product in question. Product samples may also be given to beverage writers in and for their journalistic activities
  • Comment: A beverage writer refers to a person, publication, blog or similar who regularly writes and responsibly writes or otherwise communicates about food and drink. Beverage writer replaces in the Recommendation the description wine journalist as was used by the authorities when in the mid-1990s they approved that samples of products be given to "wine journalists". The word choice aims to follow the principle set by the authorities while reflecting the development of available information that has taken place since then

 

 

 

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General

SECTION C: EVENTS/ SPONSORSHIP

 

Ambush marketing: the European summer of sport
Taylor Wessing May 16, 2024

GUIDE: The Olympic Games 2024 - Beating around le ambush

Lewis Silkin 25 January, 2024 (EN)

 

STANDARD RULES 

 

  • Sponsorship material associated with an event, i.e. collateral material such as leaflets, brochures etc., is subject to the rules set out in our content section B, except those rules specific to broadcast media; the applicable self-regulatory code in Sweden is the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (EN 2018; 2024 code here)
  • The general sponsorship rules, i.e. those that cover issues of respect of the sponsored property, ambushing, data capture etc. and that apply to all product categories are from Chapter B of the 2018 ICC Code linked above; clauses follow. For scope, definitions etc., see the linked code

 

 B1.  Principles governing sponsorship
 
  • All sponsorship should be based on contractual obligations between the sponsor and the sponsored party. Sponsors and sponsored parties should set out clear terms and conditions with all other partners involved, to define their expectations regarding all aspects of the sponsorship deal
  • Sponsorship should be recognisable as such
  • The terms and conduct of sponsorship should be based upon the principle of good faith between all parties to the sponsorship
  • There should be clarity regarding the specific rights being sold and confirmation that these are available for sponsorship from the rights holder. Sponsored parties should have the absolute right to decide on the value of the sponsorship rights that they are offering and the appropriateness of the sponsor with whom they contract
 
B2. Autonomy and self-determination

 

  • Sponsorship should respect the autonomy and self-determination of the sponsored party in the management of its own activities and properties, provided the sponsored party fulfils the obligations set out in the sponsorship agreement
 
B3. Imitation and confusion
 
  • Sponsors and sponsored parties, as well as other parties involved in a sponsorship, should avoid imitation of the representation of other sponsorships where such imitation might mislead or generate confusion, even if applied to non-competitive products, companies or events
 
B4.  Ambushing of sponsored properties
 
  • No party should seek to give the impression that it is a sponsor of any event or of media coverage of an event, whether sponsored or not, if it is not in fact an official sponsor of the property or of media coverage. The sponsor and sponsored party should each take care to ensure that any actions taken by them to combat ‘ambush marketing’ are proportionate and that they do not damage the reputation of the sponsored property nor impact unduly on members of the general public
 
B5.  Respect for the sponsorship property and the sponsor
 
  • Sponsors should take particular care to safeguard the inherent artistic, cultural, sporting or other content of the sponsorship property and should avoid any abuse of their position which might damage the identity, dignity, or reputations of the sponsored party or the sponsorship property
  • The sponsored party should not obscure, deform or bring into disrepute the image or trademarks of the sponsor, or jeopardise the goodwill or public esteem associated with them
 
B6.  The sponsorship audience
 
  • The audience should be clearly informed of the existence of a sponsorship with respect to a particular event, activity, programme or person and the sponsor’s own message should not be likely to cause offence. Due note should be taken of existing professional ethics of the sponsored party
  • This article is not, however, intended to discourage sponsorship of avant-garde or potentially controversial artistic/cultural activities, or to encourage sponsors to exercise censorship over a sponsored party’s message
 
 B7.  Data capture/data sharing
 
  • If personal data is used in connection with sponsorship, the provisions of article 19 are applicable
 
B8.  Artistic and historical objects 
 
  • Sponsorship should not be conducted in such a way as to endanger artistic or historical objects
  • Sponsorship which aims to safeguard, restore, or maintain cultural, artistic or historical properties or their diffusion, should respect the public interest related to them
 
 B9.  Social and environmental sponsorship
 
  • Both sponsors and sponsored parties should take into consideration the potential social or environmental impact of the sponsorship when planning, organising and carrying out the sponsorship
  • Any sponsorship message fully or partially based on a claim of positive (or reduced negative) social and/or environmental impact should be substantiated in terms of actual benefits to be obtained. Parties to the sponsorship should respect the principles set out in the ICC Business Charter for Sustainable Development (available from www.iccwbo.org)
  • Any environmental claim made with respect to the sponsorship should conform to the principles set out in chapter D, Environmental Claims in Marketing Communications
 
B10.  Charities and humanitarian sponsorship
 
  • Sponsorship of charities and other humanitarian causes should be undertaken with sensitivity and care, to ensure that the work of the sponsored party is not adversely affected
 
 B11. Multiple sponsorship
 
  • Where an activity or event requires or allows several sponsors, the individual contracts and agreements should clearly set out the respective rights, limits and obligations of each sponsor, including, but not limited to, details of any exclusivity. In particular, each member of a group of sponsors should respect the defined sponsorship fields and the allotted communication tasks, avoiding any interference that might unfairly alter the balance between the contributions of the various sponsors
  • The sponsored party should inform any potential sponsor of all the sponsors already a party to the sponsorship
  • The sponsored party should not accept a new sponsor without first ensuring that it does not conflict with any rights of sponsors who are already contracted and, where appropriate, informing the existing sponsors
 
B12.  Media sponsorship
 
  • The content and scheduling of sponsored media properties should not be unduly influenced by the sponsor so as to compromise the responsibility, autonomy or editorial independence of the broadcaster, programme producer or media owner, except to the extent that the sponsor is permitted by relevant legislation to be the programme producer or co-producer, media owner or financier
  • Sponsored media properties should be identified as such by presentation of the sponsor’s name and/ or logo at the beginning, during and/or at the end of the programme or publication content. This also applies to online material
  • Particular care should be taken to ensure that there is no confusion between sponsorship of an event or activity and the media sponsorship of that event, especially where different sponsors are involved
 
B13.  Responsibility
 
  • As sponsorship is conceptually based on a contract of mutual benefit, the onus for observing the Code falls jointly on the sponsor and the sponsored party, who share the ultimate responsibility for all aspects of the sponsorship, whatever its kind or content
  • Anyone taking part in the planning, creation or execution of any sponsorship has a degree of responsibility, as defined in article 23 of the General Provisions, for ensuring the observance of the Code towards those affected, or likely to be affected, by the sponsorship

 

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The European Sponsorship Association (ESA) may also be able to help/ inform

 

 

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International

SECTION C: EVENTS/ SPONSORSHIP

 

 

Pilot Project Relaxes Olympic Games' Rule For Participating Brands

Marks & Clerk July 19, 2024 

Paris Olympics & Paralympics - Part 2: What could possibly go wrong?

Squire Patton Boggs july 16, 2024

GUIDE: The Olympic Games 2024 - Beating around le ambush

Lewis Silkin 25 January, 2024

 

Self-regulation

 

  • Advertising associated with sponsorship activity is likely to be subject to content rules; these can be found in the earlier content section B, or from the ICC Code linked below 
  • ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (EN 2024): Chapter B Sponsorship. 2024 amends in italics 

 

B1: Principles governing sponsorship

 

  • All sponsorship should be based on contractual obligations between the sponsor and the sponsored party
  • Sponsors and sponsored parties should set out clear terms and conditions with all other partners involved, to define their expectations regarding all aspects of the sponsorship deal
  • Sponsorship should be recognisable as such
  • The terms and conduct of sponsorship should be based upon the principle of good faith between all parties to the sponsorship
  • There should be clarity regarding the specific rights being sold and confirmation that these are available for sponsorship from the rights holder. Sponsored parties should have the absolute right to decide on the value of the sponsorship rights that they are offering and the appropriateness of the sponsor with whom they contract
  • There should be clear communication about the specific rights available for sponsorship from the rights holder, including the timing of the sponsorship commitment and the scale of coverage, such as territory. Sponsored parties should retain the sole discretion to determine the value of the sponsorship rights they offer and the suitability of a potential sponsor
  • Furthermore, both parties should reserve the right to terminate the sponsorship agreement based on the terms outlined in the contract

 

B2: Autonomy and self-determination

 

  • Sponsorship should respect the autonomy and self-determination of the sponsored party in the management of its own activities and properties, provided as long as the sponsored party fulfills the obligations set out in the sponsorship agreement  meets the requirements set in the sponsorship agreement and those actions do not damage the reputation of the sponsor

 

B3: Imitation and confusion

 

  • Sponsors and sponsored parties, as well as other parties involved in a sponsorship, should avoid imitation of the representation of other sponsorships where such imitation might mislead or generate confusion, even if applied to non-competitive products, companies or events
  • Both sponsors and sponsored parties, along with anyone else involved, should avoid imitation of other sponsorships if it could mislead or cause confusion, even with non-competing products, businesses or events

 

 B4: 'Ambushing' of sponsored properties

 

  • No party should seek to give the impression that it is a sponsor of any event or of media coverage of an event, whether sponsored or not, if it is not in fact an official sponsor of the property or of media coverage
  • The sponsor and sponsored party should each take care to ensure that any actions taken by them to combat ‘ambush marketing’ are proportionate and that they do not damage the reputation of the sponsored property nor impact unduly on members of the general public
  • No party should falsely pretend, associate or mislead to be a sponsor of any event or media coverage of an event, whether sponsored or not, unless they are indeed an official sponsor
  • The sponsor and sponsored party should each make sure that any actions they take against ‘ambush marketing’ are proportionate and do not damage the reputation of the sponsored property, event or image, or unfairly affect the general public

 

B5: Respect for the sponsorship property and the sponsor

 

  • Sponsors should take particular care to safeguard the inherent protect the unique features including artistic, cultural, sporting or other content of the sponsorship propertyThey should avoid any abuse of their position that might damage the identity, dignity, or reputations of the sponsored party or the sponsorship property
  • The sponsored party should not obscure, deform or bring into disrepute the image or trade- marks of the sponsor, or jeopardise risk damaging the goodwill or public esteem associated with them

 

B6: The sponsorship audience

 

  • The audience should be clearly informed of the existence of a sponsorship with respect to a particular event, activity, programme including branded giveaways and similaor person and the sponsor’s own message should not be likely to cause offence. Due note should be taken of existing professional ethics of the sponsored party. Any posts on social media by the sponsored party should be transparent and properly identified. The sponsor should also be mindful of the professional values of the sponsored party and audience
  • This article is not, however, intended to discourage sponsorship of avant-garde or potentially controversial artistic/cultural activities, or to encourage sponsors to exercise censorship over a sponsored party’s message
  • Branded sponsorship or entertainment events that primarily target children or teens should comply with Chapter E – Children and Teens

 

B7: Data capture/ data sharing

 

  • If an individual’s personal data are used in connection with sponsorship, the provisions of article 19 22  are applicable

 

B8: Artistic and historical objects

 

  • Sponsorship should not be conducted in such a way as to endanger artistic or historical objects
  • Sponsorship should not put art or historical items at risk
  • Sponsorship that aims to safeguard, restore, or maintain cultural, artistic or historical properties or their diffusion, should respect the public interest related to them
  • Where a sponsorship is meant to protect, restore, or maintain cultural, artistic or historical properties or spread awareness about them, it should respect the public interest in them

 

B9: Social and environmental sponsorship

 

  • Both sponsors and sponsored parties should take into consideration the potential social or environmental impact of the sponsorship when planning, organising and carrying out the sponsorship
  • Any sponsorship message fully or partially based on a claim of positive (or reduced negative) social and/or environmental impact should be substantiated in terms of actual benefits to be obtained. Parties to the sponsorship should respect the principles set out in the ICC Business Charter for Sustainable Development.
  • If a sponsorship message claims to have a positive social or environmental effect (or less harm), it should be backed up with evidence of actual benefits. Parties to the sponsorship should respect the principles set out in the ICC Business Charter for Sustainable Development
  • Any environmental claim made with respect to the sponsorship should conform to the principles set out in Chapter D, Environmental Claims in Marketing communications
  • If the sponsorship makes any environmental claims, they should align with the rules in Chapter D and the ICC Framework for Responsible Environmental Marketing Communication

 

B10: Charities and humanitarian sponsorship

 

  • Sponsorship of charities and other humanitarian causes should be undertaken with sensitivity and care, to ensure that the work of the sponsored party is not adversely affected

 

B11: Multiple sponsorship

 

  • Where an activity or event requires or allows several sponsors, the individual contracts and agreements should clearly set out the respective rights, limits and obligations of each sponsor, including, but not limited to, details of any exclusivity
  • In particular, each member of a group of sponsors should respect the defined sponsorship fields and the allotted communication tasks, avoiding any interference that might unfairly alter the balance between the contributions of the various sponsors conflict with another sponsor’s rights to the property
  • The sponsored party should inform any potential sponsor of all the sponsors already a party to the sponsorship. The sponsored party should not accept a new sponsor without first ensuring that it does not conflict with any rights of sponsors who are already contracted and, where appropriate, informing the existing sponsors

 

 

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11. Sales Promotion

Sector

SECTION C: SALES PROMOTIONS

 

 

CONTEXT

 

This website was created to provide international rules on marketing communications; it does not claim authority on specific Sales Promotions (SP) regulation, especially retail legislation. However, in the course of extensive research in marketing, relevant rules will be included. National self-regulatory codes and Consumer Protection legislation, for example, are checked for any provisions that affect SP and included below. In this context, the principal source of rules is the Consumer Agency Guidelines (CAG), supported by the Alcohol industry's Alcohol Advertising Recommendations (AAR)

 

KEY RULES 

 

  • Promotional material, where it is allowed, should observe the content rules for alcohol, together with the General rules, set out earlier in section B
  • Note that the channel rules set out here are specific to the alcohol sector; the channel rules that apply to all sectors, found under the General tab below, also apply. These include, for example, statutory requirements when running promotions or competitions, or when communicating price in a promotional context
  • Alcohol consumption and alcoholic beverages should not be presented as being of particular importance in connection with festivals or seasons (CAG 2.9)
  • If sales promotion activity appears in periodical publications, as defined, it should include the health messaging referenced under content section B and the Print rules earlier in this Channel section
  • 6.3 CAG. The main rule is that the promotion measures set out below are not consistent with the requirement of particular moderation. However, rules for different events and exceptions to the main rule are set out below

 

SPECIFIC RULES

 

6.3.1 Gifts

 

  •  It is not permitted to hand out gifts in connection with the promotion of alcoholic beverages. However, at a manufacturing site, trade fair or similar, gifts of insignificant value may be given. The gift should have a natural connection with alcoholic beverages

 

6.3.2 Alcoholic beverages as a gift

 

  • It is not permitted to give or offer alcoholic beverages for advertising purposes, either to create goodwill or to promote sales in some other way. However, at the opening of fairs, galleries and the like, organisers can offer alcoholic beverages. In accordance with the Alcohol Act, it is forbidden to provide alcoholic beverages as gifts in conjunction with the marketing of services or goods other than alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic beverages in the form of a sample may, in accordance with the Alcohol Act, only be given to a license holder (restaurant owners, wholesalers etc.)

 

6.3.3 Competitions

 

  • Competitions that, for example, mean that a consumer must buy alcoholic beverages to participate, or competitions with alcoholic beverages as prizes, are prohibited
    However, competitions that are not linked to purchase, or that promote the consumption of alcoholic beverages in some other way, are permitted

 

6.3.4 Volume discount, coupon offers or comparative offers

 

  • The usual price differentiation between different pack sizes, such as smaller and larger bottles, bottles and bag-in-boxes, single glasses and full bottles are permitted.
    Regular discounts at a venue under "Happy Hour" and similar may be applied. In the case of such discounts on alcoholic beverages, discounts on dishes and soft drinks should also be made available.
    Normal offers from the grocery retail trade for beverages with alcohol content not exceeding 3,5% ABV are permitted

 

6.3.5 Combination offers

 

  • Combination offers where the additional item has an insignificant value in relation to alcoholic beverages is allowed, provided that the marketing effort as a whole is consistent with the requirement for particular moderation. However, the combination offer should not be designed in such a way as to encourage the consumer to increase his/ her purchase of alcoholic beverages in order to obtain the additional offer. Alcoholic drinks can be acceptable as additional products if the drink represents a part of a meal and alcohol-free alternatives are offered at the same time. However, the combination offer may not be designed to attract consumers to increase their purchase of alcoholic beverages. For example, a combination offer may not be designed as 'two for the price of one', 'one free' or the like
 
Tastings

 

See Event Sponsorship/ Field Marketing

AAR Chapter 4 Promotional measures in the promotion of alcoholic beverages

 

  • Sales promotion measures are often aimed at increasing consumption, and they therefore run the risk of contravening the requirement of moderation. When assessing a particular measure, all circumstances must be taken into account, e.g. the target audience of the offer, the context in which it is presented, as well as the design and presentation of the offer

 

4.1 Competition

 

  • Competitions are permitted provided that no purchase of alcoholic beverages is required in order to participate and that the prizes/ winnings cannot be in the form of alcoholic beverages

 

4.2 Combination Offer

  • When purchasing alcoholic beverages, the additional product can be offered at no extra cost or at a special price if the value thereof is in reasonable proportion to the price of the alcoholic beverage. According to good business practice, the additional product (the value of the additional product / of a discount on the price for it) should amount to a maximum of 20% of the price for the main product, or in any case, a maximum of SEK 99
  • Comment: In practice, sports-related additional products are considered to be prohibited
  • Alcoholic beverages can be accepted as additional products only if the beverage represents part of a meal and alcohol – free alternatives are offered at the same time. In the case of such an offer, the price of the alcoholic beverages must comply with the requirements of the Alcohol Act regarding reasonable supplements etc.

 

4.3 Gifts

 

  • Gifts are allowed provided the value of the gift is low and it must not be alcoholic. The gift should have a natural connection with alcoholic beverages. Gift giving should be done at a visitor centre, at a place of manufacture or point of sale for alcoholic beverages, otherwise they risk contravention of the moderation requirement
 
4.4 Discounts etc.

 

  • As a general rule, discounts, coupon offers etc. are not allowed. However, the usual price difference between different packaging sizes (for example smaller and larger bottles, bottles and bag-in-boxes, individual glasses and whole bottles) should be considered permissible
  • However, customary discounts such as "Happy hour", "Beer of the month" and similar at the point of sale may occur. Such discount may not be designed according to "two for the price of one", "on sale" or similar. In such a discount of alcoholic beverages, discounts of dishes as well as non-alcoholic beverages should be made
  • Quantity discount, brand offer discounts and the like can be accepted for the sale of alcoholic beverages containing a maximum of 3.5% by volume within the framework of normal price activities in the grocery trade

 

 

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General

SECTION C: SALES PROMOTIONS

 

 

CONTEXT

 

This website was created to provide international rules on marketing communications; it does not claim authority on specific Sales Promotions (SP) regulation, especially retail legislation. However, in the course of extensive research in marketing, relevant rules will be included. National self-regulatory codes and consumer protection legislation, for example, are checked for any provisions that affect SP and included below

 

  • Sales promotional material is required to observe the content rules set out in our section B, including broadcast rules (that prohibit appeal to children) in the event that a promotion is in that channel
  • This piece from Wistrand via Lexology ‘Prohibited and controlled advertising in Sweden’ includes guidance/ regulatory background for e.g. lotteries and promotional contests 
 

LEGISLATION

 

Pricing is obviously relevant to Sales Promotions. In March 2022, in force July 1,the Swedish government published a bill here (SW) transposing the 'Omnibus Directive' 2019/2161, which inter alia amended the Product Price Directive. Provisions from that include new promotional pricing rules, set out in the article extracted from the Directive here and transposed under article 2.2 of the Swedish bill 

 

  •  Annex I of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005/29/EC, transposed in Section 4 of Sweden’s Marketing Act (EN; does not include 2019/2161 amends), sets out the commercial practices ‘in all circumstances considered unfair’. Shown below are only the most relevant practices for this SP context:
     
    • 5. Making an invitation to purchase products at a specified price without disclosing the existence of any reasonable grounds the trader may have for believing that he will not be able to offer for supply or to procure another trader to supply, those products or equivalent products at that price for a period that is, and in quantities that are, reasonable having regard to the product, the scale of advertising of the product and the price offered (bait advertising)
    • 6. Making an invitation to purchase products at a specified price and then: (a) refusing to show the advertised item to consumers; or (b) refusing to take orders for it or deliver it within a reasonable time; or (c) demonstrating a defective sample of it, with the intention of promoting a different product (bait and switch)
    • 7. Falsely stating that a product will only be available for a very limited time, or that it will only be available on particular terms for a very limited time, in order to elicit an immediate decision and deprive consumers of sufficient opportunity or time to make an informed choice
    • 14. Establishing, operating or promoting a pyramid promotional scheme where a consumer gives consideration for the opportunity to receive compensation that is derived primarily from the introduction of other consumers into the scheme rather than from the sale or consumption of products
    • 15. Claiming that the trader is about to cease trading or move premises when he is not
    • 16. Claiming that products are able to facilitate winning in games of chance
    • 19. Claiming in a commercial practice to offer a competition or prize promotion without awarding the prizes described or a reasonable equivalent
    • 20. Describing a product as ‘gratis’, ‘free’, ‘without charge’ or similar if the consumer has to pay anything other than the unavoidable cost of responding to the commercial practice and collecting or paying for delivery of the item

 

MORE LEGISLATION

 

The e-Commerce Directive 2000/31/EC is part-implemented in Sweden by the Law 2002: 562 (SW) on electronic commerce and other information society services

 

The directive carries two additional requirements, not shown in the Swedish law linked above and not explicit in the Marketing Act, under article 6 of the directive:
 

C) Promotional offers, such as discounts, premiums and gifts, where permitted in the Member State where the service provider is established, shall be clearly identifiable as such, and the conditions which are to be met to qualify for them shall be easily accessible and be presented clearly and unambiguously
D) Promotional competitions or games, where permitted in the member state where the service provider is established, shall be clearly identifiable as such, and the conditions for participation shall be easily accessible and be presented clearly and unambiguously

 

We have been unable to trace where these clauses are specifically implemented in Swedish law. RO advise us that they are ‘covered’ under sections 12 (Material information) and 10 (Misleading omission) respectively of the Marketing Act (EN). The Information requirements under the self-regulatory ICC Code Chapter A below are more specific:

 

SELF-REGULATION

 

From Chapter A, Sales Promotion, of the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (EN 2018; 2024 code here). Extracts (from the 2018 code):

 

A2. Terms of the offer

 

  • Sales promotions should be so devised as to enable the consumer to identify the terms of the offer easily and clearly, including any limitations. Care should be taken not to exaggerate the value of the promotional item or to obscure or conceal the price of the main product

 

A4. Administration of promotions

 

  • Sales promotions should be administered with adequate resources and supervision, anticipated to be required, including appropriate precautions to ensure that the administration of the offer meets the consumers' reasonable expectations

 

In particular:

 

  • The availability of promotional items should be sufficient to meet anticipated demand consistent with the express terms of the offer. If delay is unavoidable, consumers should be advised promptly and necessary steps taken to adjust the promotion of the offer. Promoters should be able to demonstrate that they have made, before the event, a reasonable estimate of the likely response. Where a purchase or a series of purchases are a precondition for obtaining the promotional item, promoters should ensure promotional items are sufficiently available to match the number of purchases being made
  • Defective goods or inadequate services should be replaced, or appropriate financial compensation given. Any costs reasonably incurred by consumers as a direct result of any such shortcoming should be reimbursed immediately on request
  • Complaints should be efficiently and properly handled

 

A5. Safety and suitability

 

  • Care should be taken to ensure that promotional items, provided they are properly used, do not expose consumers, intermediaries, or any other persons or their property to any harm or danger
  • Promoters should ensure that their promotional activities are consistent with the principles of social responsibilities contained in the General Provisions, and in particular take reasonable steps to prevent unsuitable or inappropriate materials from reaching children

 

 A6. Presentation to consumers

 

  • Complex rules should be avoided
  • Rules should be drawn up in language that consumers can easily understand
  • The chances of winning prizes should not be overstated
INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS

 

  • Sales promotions should be presented in such a way as to ensure that consumers are made aware, before making a purchase, of conditions likely to affect their decision to purchase

 

Information should include, where relevant:

 

  • Clear instructions on the method of obtaining or participating in the promotional offer, e.g. conditions for obtaining promotional items, including any liability for costs, or taking part in prize promotions
  • Main characteristics of the promotional items offered
  • Any time limit on taking advantage of the promotional offer
  • Any restrictions on participation (e.g. geographical or age-related), availability of promotional items, or any other limitations on stocks. In the case of limited availability, consumers should be properly informed of any arrangements for substituting alternative items or refunding money
  • The value of any voucher or stamp offered where a monetary alternative is available
  • Any expenditure involved, including costs of shipping and handling and terms of payment
  • The full name and address of the promoter and an address to which complaints can be directed (if different from the address of the promoter)

 

Promotions claiming to support a charitable cause should not exaggerate the contribution derived from the campaign; before purchasing the promoted product consumers should be informed of how much of the price will be set aside for the cause

 

 

Information in prize promotions

 

  • Where a sales promotion includes a prize promotion, the following information should be given to consumers, or at least made available on request, prior to participation and not conditional on purchasing the main product:

 

  • Any rules governing eligibility to participate in the prize promotion
  • Any costs associated with participation, other than for communication at or below standard rate (mail, telephone and other devices)
  • Any restriction on the number of entries
  • The number, value and nature of prizes to be awarded and whether a cash alternative may be substituted for a prize
  • In the case of a skill contest, the nature of the contest and the criteria for judging the entries
  • The selection procedure for the award of prizes
  • The closing date of the competition
  • When and how the results will be made available
  • Whether the consumer may be liable to pay tax as a result of winning a prize
  • The time period during which prizes may be collected
  • Where a jury is involved, the composition of the jury
  • Any intention to use winners or winning contributions in post-event activities and the terms on which these contributions may be used

The remaining articles are

 

A7.  Presentation to Intermediaries
A8 . Particular Obligations of Promoters
A9.  Particular Obligations of Intermediaries
 A10 . Responsibility
 
These are spelt out here:
 
 
 
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International

SECTION C: SALES PROMOTIONS

 

 

CONTEXT

 

This website was created to provide international rules on marketing communications; it does not claim authority on specific Sales Promotions (SP) regulation, especially retail legislation. However, in the course of extensive research in marketing, relevant rules will be included. National self-regulatory codes and consumer protection legislation, for example, are checked for any provisions that affect SP and included below. Content in SP material is likely to be subject to the rules set out in the earlier section B as well as more specific requirements related to pricing, promotional conditions etc. .

 

APPLICABLE SELF-REGULATION AND LEGISLATION 

 

ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (EN 2024), Chapter A Sales Promotion, Chapter C Direct Marketing

For promotions and contests on social media, refer to Own Websites channel; SNS

Directive 2005/29/EC on Unfair Commercial Practices (UCPD)

Directive 98/6/EC on the Prices of Products offered to Consumers

 

SELF-REGULATORY CLAUSES 

 

ICC Code Chapter A Sales Promotion 

Clauses are from the 2024 edition of the Code 

 

A1: Principles governing sales promotions

 

  • All sales promotions should interact with consumers in a fair, transparent, respectful and honourable way while upholding the Code’s data protection and privacy principles
  • The design and implementation of sales promotions should align with the consumers’ reasonable expectations as set by the promotion
  • The administration of sales promotions and the fulfilment of any obligation arising from them should be prompt and efficient and consistent with the presentation of the promotion
  • The terms and conduct of all sales promotions should be transparent to all participants
  • All sales promotions should be framed in a way which is fair to competitors and others in the market
  • Sales promotions that primarily target children or teens should comply with Chapter E – children and teens
  • No promoters, intermediaries or others involved should do anything likely to bring sales promotions into disrepute

 

A2: Transparency and terms of the offer

 

Sales promotions should be transparent. This means that the terms of the offer should be easily identifiable, accessible and straightforward for the consumer, inclusive of any restrictions and limitations. Measures should be taken to avoid exaggerating the value of any promotional item or obscuring or minimising the price of the main product.

 

A3: Presentation

 

Sales promotions should not be designed or presented in a manner that is likely to be misleading about value, nature or participation process.

 

A4: Administration of promotions

 

Sales promotions should be administered using appropriate resources and supervision and should incorporate proper safeguards to ensure that the offer’s administration aligns with the reasonable expectations of consumers. In particular:

  • Promotional items should be sufficient to meet anticipated demand consistent with the terms of the offer. If delay or any other change is unavoidable, consumers should be advised promptly, and necessary steps taken to adjust the promotion of the offer
  • Promoters should be able to demonstrate that they have made a reasonable estimate of the expected response before the event. Phrases like “subject to availability” and similar may be used when demand is significantly difficult to calculate, but not as a general means to relieve the promoter from the obligation to meet consumers’ legitimate expectations
  • When the acquisition of the promotional item is dependent on a purchase or multiple purchases, promoters should ensure promotional items are sufficiently available to match the number of purchases being made, also see Article A6 under Information requirements
  • Defective goods or inadequate services should be replaced, or appropriate financial compensation given. Any proven expenses reasonably incurred by consumers directly due to such deficiencies, should be refunded upon request as soon as possible
  • Complaints should be efficiently and properly handled

 

A5: Safety and suitability

 

  • Care should be taken to prevent promotional items, if used correctly, from exposing consumers, intermediaries, or any other persons or their property to any harm or danger
  • Where appropriate promotional items should be accompanied by any necessary warnings and safety advice. Promoters should ensure that their promotional activities are consistent with the principles of environmental and social responsibility and in particular take reasonable steps to prevent unsuitable, inappropriate or age-restricted materials from reaching children.

 

A6: Presentation to consumers

 

  • Complex rules should be avoided. Rules should be drawn up in language that consumers can easily understand. The chances of winning prizes should not be overstated
  • Where consumers are prompted to engage with content by clicking on a link, or using a similar mechanism, like voice or movement activation, it should be made clear beforehand what the outcome will be, e.g. by specifying the form and nature of the offer. Deceptive practices like “click to reveal code” only to present an offer, should not be used

 

 

Information requirements

 

Sales promotions should be presented so that consumers are informed beforehand of any conditions likely to influence their decision to purchase. Consumers should be able to easily access the terms and other essential information, in particular when accepting the offer. Information should include, where relevant and having regard to the medium used:

 

  • detailed and clear instructions on how to obtain or participate in the promotional offer, including the conditions for receiving promotional items, liability for associated costs, or taking part in prize promotions
  • the main characteristics of the promotional items being offered
  • any time limit on taking advantage of the promotional offer
  • any restrictions on participation (e.g. geographical, employment in a particular company, sector or activity or age-related), availability of promotional items, or stock limitations. In the case of limited availability, e.g. due to unexpectedly high demand or any other exceptional circumstance, the consumer should be informed about alternative arrangements or refunding policies
  • the value of any financial substitutes offered like vouchers, coupons, discount codes or stamps offered where a monetary alternative is available
  • any requirements such as automatic renewals or subscriptions
  • any use of data and privacy clauses
  • any costs involved, including shipping and handling fees taxes, tariffs or duties and payment terms
  • The promotor’s full name and address along with information on how to ask questions or lodge complaints.

Promotions claiming to support a charitable cause should not exaggerate the contribution derived from the campaign. Consumers should be informed, before purchasing the promoted product, how much of the price will be allocated for the cause or the total donation amount.
 

Free entry claims should be used only if the consumer’s path to access is charged at a standard rate, meaning the consumer will not incur any communication cost beyond the maximum of that rate. If a premium rate is applied, this should be clearly disclosed. 

 

Information in prize promotions

 

Where a sales promotion includes a prize promotion, the following information should be given to consumers, and be available prior to participation and not conditional on purchasing the main product:

 

  • an overview of the entry process
  • any rules governing eligibility to participate in the prize promotion, as well as any use of data and privacy implications
  • costs associated with participation, excluding communication costs at or below standard rate (mail, telephone and other devices)
  • restrictions or limitations on the number of entries
  • The number, value and nature of prizes to be awarded. If a cash alternative is available instead of a prize, that should be communicated
  • for skills contests, the nature of the contest and the criteria for judging the entries
  • the procedure for selecting winners and awarding prizes
  • the starting and closing dates of the competition
  • the timeline and procedure for notifying winners and publicising results
  • where appropriate, information that prizes may be subject to tax
  • the procedure and time frame for collecting prizes
  • where a jury is involved, the composition of the jury, or the criteria for selecting its members
  • if winners’ images, quotes, audiovisual content or winning contributions will be used in post-event activities and the terms for their use

 

The remaining articles of this chapter, A7 to A10 inclusive, are not included for reasons of space. They can be found in the 2024 ICC Code here. These cover:

 

A7. Presentation to Intermediaries

A8. Particular Obligations of Promoters

A9. Particular Obligations of Intermediaries

A10. Responsibility

 

LEGISLATIVE CLAUSES

 

As promotional activity will often include e.g. special pricing measures, we have extracted from the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005/29/EC those clauses from Annex I (practices which are in all circumstances considered unfair) most relevant to promotional scenarios

 

5. Making an invitation to purchase products at a specified price without disclosing the existence of any reasonable grounds the trader may have for believing that he will not be able to offer for supply or to procure another trader to supply, those products or equivalent products at that price for a period that is, and in quantities that are, reasonable having regard to the product, the scale of advertising of the product and the price offered (bait advertising)

6. Making an invitation to purchase products at a specified price and then:
 

(a) refusing to show the advertised item to consumers; or

(b) refusing to take orders for it or deliver it within a reasonable time or

(c) demonstrating a defective sample of it, with the intention of promoting a different product (bait and switch)

 

7. Falsely stating that a product will only be available for a very limited time, or that it will only be available on particular terms for a very limited time, in order to elicit an immediate decision and deprive consumers of sufficient opportunity or time to make an informed choice

15. Claiming that the trader is about to cease trading or move premises when he is not

16. Claiming that products are able to facilitate winning in games of chance

19. Claiming in a commercial practice to offer a competition or prize promotion without awarding the prizes described or a reasonable equivalent

20. Describing a product as ‘gratis’, ‘free’, ‘without charge’ or similar if the consumer has to pay anything other than the unavoidable cost of responding to the commercial practice and collecting or paying for delivery of the item

31. Creating the false impression that the consumer has already won, will win, or will on doing a particular act win, a prize or other equivalent benefit, when in fact either:

 

there is no prize or other equivalent benefit, or

taking any action in relation to claiming the prize or other equivalent benefit is subject to the consumer paying money or incurring a cost

 

 

Directive 98/6/EC on the Prices of Products offered to Consumers (PPD)

 

Article 1

 

The purpose of this Directive is to stipulate indication of the selling price and the price per unit of measurement of products offered by traders to consumers in order to improve consumer information and to facilitate comparison of prices

 

Article 2

 

For the purposes of this Directive:

 

(a) selling price shall mean the final price for a unit of the product, or a given quantity of the product, including VAT and all other taxes;

(b) unit price shall mean the final price, including VAT and all other taxes, for one kilogramme, one litre, one metre, one square metre or one cubic metre of the product or a different single unit of quantity which is widely and customarily used in the Member State concerned in the marketing of specific products

(c) products sold in bulk shall mean products which are not pre-packaged and are measured in the presence of the consumer

(d) trader shall mean any natural or legal person who sells or offers for sale products which fall within his commercial or professional activity

(e) consumer shall mean any natural person who buys a product for purposes that do not fall within the sphere of his commercial or professional activity

 

 

Article 3

 

  1. The selling price and the unit price shall be indicated for all products referred to in Article 1, the indication of the unit price being subject to the provisions of Article 5. The unit price need not be indicated if it is identical to the sales price
  2. Member States may decide not to apply paragraph 1 to:

 

— products supplied in the course of the provision of a service

— sales by auction and sales of works of art and antiques

 

  1. For products sold in bulk, only the unit price must be indicated
  2. Any advertisement which mentions the selling price of products referred to in Article 1 shall also indicate the unit price subject to Article 5

 

Article 4

 

  1. The selling price and the unit price must be unambiguous, easily identifiable and clearly legible. Member States may provide that the maximum number of prices to be indicated be limited
  2. The unit price shall refer to a quantity declared in accordance with national and Community provisions

 

Where national or Community provisions require the indication of the net weight and the net drained weight for certain pre-packed products, it shall be sufficient to indicate the unit price of the net drained weight

 

Article 5

 

  1. Member States may waive the obligation to indicate the unit price of products for which such indication would not be useful because of the products' nature or purpose or would be liable to create confusion
  2. With a view to implementing paragraph 1, Member States may, in the case of non-food products, establish a list of the products or product categories to which the obligation to indicate the unit price shall remain applicable

Article 6a

 

1.   Any announcement of a price reduction shall indicate the prior price applied by the trader for a determined period of time prior to the application of the price reduction
2.   The prior price means the lowest price applied by the trader during a period of time not shorter than 30 days prior to the application of the price reduction
3.   Member States may provide for different rules for goods which are liable to deteriorate or expire rapidly
4.   Where the product has been on the market for less than 30 days, Member States may also provide for a shorter period of time than the period specified in paragraph 2
5.   Member States may provide that, when the price reduction is progressively increased, the prior price is the price without the price reduction before the first application of the price reduction

 

 

 

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D. Advice & Clearance

General

SECTION D SRO SERVICES

 

 

The Advertising Ombudsman can be reached via e-mail ro@reklamombudsmannen.org; their website in English can be found at http://www.reklamombudsmannen.org/eng/

 

Specific copy advice is recently available in Sweden. RO does not pre-clear 

 

CLEARANCE 

 

Direct to broadcaster

Allow 3-5 days TV/VOD

For help contact the Traffic Bureau administration@trafficbureau.net

 

 

 

International

SECTION D: SRO SERVICES

 

The ICAS Global SRO database

https://icas.global/srodatabase/

 

EASA (European Advertising Standards Alliance)

https://www.easa-alliance.org/

 

EASA membership

https://www.easa-alliance.org/members/

 

Link to Best Practice Recommendations

https://www.easa-alliance.org/publication/best-practice-recommendations/

 

EASA Digital Marketing Communications Best Practice Recommendation 

https://www.easa-alliance.org/publications/easa-best-practice-recommendations-digital-marketing-communications/

 

EASA Best Practice Recommendation on Online Behavioural Advertising

https://www.easa-alliance.org/publications/easa-best-practice-recommendation-on-oba-2021/

 

EASA Best Practice Recommendation on Influencer Marketing

https://www.easa-alliance.org/publications/best-practice-recommendation-on-influencer-marketing-guidance_v2023/

 

 

 

 

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E. Links

Sector

SECTION E SOURCES/ LINKS

 

 

 LEGISLATION

 

2010 Alcohol Act Chapter 1 Definitions, Chapter 7 Marketing (Alkohollag 2010:1622). This law regulates the manufacture, import/ export, selling and marketing of alcohol in Sweden. Inter alia, It allows alcohol marcoms for alcoholic beverages below 15% ABV to be placed in press and magazines, severely restricts marcoms content to a single pack and reproduction of the goods or commodities/ ingredients within them, requires Health Messages to be included in print periodical advertising, and bans marcoms on radio and TV; some online presence is permitted, some very limited outdoor activity, and some forms of direct advertising (see Consumer Agency Guidelines). The act forms the basis of the Consumer Agency Guidelines and Alcohol Advertising Recommendations. Swedish text:

http://www.notisum.se/rnp/sls/lag/20101622.htm

An English translation of the relevant clauses is here: 

http://www.g-regs.com/downloads/SWAlcoholActEN.pdf

 

2010 Alcohol Ordinance (Alkoholförordning 2010:1636). Articles 13 and 14 relate to the Health Messages required in the Alcohol Act referenced above (Section 7, Chapter 7).  The Ordinance sets out the ‘health messages’ or Information texts’ that must be used in alcohol advertising in periodical publications and their online editions, together with specific formatting requirements. Text from the latest version of the Ordinance in Swedish:

http://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/alkoholforordning-20101636_sfs-2010-1636

An English translation of the relevant clauses is here:

 

http://www.g-regs.com/downloads/SWAlcoholOrdinanceInformationTextsEASAUpdate2020.pdf

 

 

Statutory authority guidance

 

The Consumer Agency's general advice on marketing of alcoholic beverages to consumers; KOVFS 2016:1 issued on August 31, 2016 (Konsumentverkets allmänna råd för marknadsföring av alkoholdryck till konsumenter). The Swedish Consumer Agency establishes these general guidelines in line with the provisions on marketing in the Alcohol Act 2010:1622, Chapter 7, and with the Marketing Act 2008: 486. These guidelines are extensive, essentially representing the alcohol marcoms rules in Sweden, though the AMG’s Alcohol Advertising Recommendations (see below) are supportive and offer more practical guidance:

http://www.konsumentverket.se/globalassets/publikationer/produkter-och-tjanster/alkohol-och-tobak/kovfs-2016-1-marknadsforing-alkoholdryck-konsumentverket.pdf

English translation here:

http://www.g-regs.com/downloads/SWAlcConsAgencyGuidelines2016B.pdf

 

The Marketing Act referenced in the entry above is shown under the General tab below; a translation that includes recent updates is here:

http://www.g-regs.com/downloads/SWMktingActTransupdate.pdf

 

Adjudications

 

The Patent and Market Court and the Patent and Market Court of Appeal are specialised courts that came into being on September 1, 2016. The Court of Patent Appeals and the Market Court ceased to exist on the same date. Essentially, the two courts hear all cases and matters in the country relating to intellectual property law, competition law and marketing law. Patent and Market Court at Stockholm District Court is:

http://www.stockholmstingsratt.se/Om-tingsratten/Patent--och-marknadsdomstolen/

Rulings from the Court of Appeal:

https://www.domstol.se/patent--och-marknadsoverdomstolen/avgoranden/ (SW)

Rulings from the Market Court (up to end August 2016):

http://avgoranden.domstol.se/marknadsdomstolen/externsearch

 

Channel legislation

 

2010 Radio and Television Act (Radio-och tv-lag 2010:696). This law implements the EU Television Without Frontiers Directive, as updated by the Audiovisual Media Services Directive 2010/13/EU. The act lays down the rules on programming, licenses and all forms of audiovisual marcoms on TV and radio. Alcoholic beverages may not use advertising, product placement or sponsorship on TV and/ or Radio. (TV channels that broadcast from other countries, for example Kanal5 or Eurosport, are not subject to the Act). Swedish text: 

http://www.riksdagen.se/sv/Dokument-Lagar/Lagar/Svenskforfattningssamling/Radio--och-tv-lag-2010696_sfs-2010-696/#K6

English version: 

http://www.radioochtv.se/Documents/Styrdokument/Radio%20and%20Television%20Act.pdf  

 

 

National Alcohol Industry recommendations 

 

Alcohol Advertising Recommendations 2018(Rekommendation avseende reklam för alkoholhaltiga drycker och alkoholhaltiga lättdrycker). Adopted by the Swedish Advertisers Association, Swedish Brewers and Swedish Spirits and Wine suppliers. These recommendations expand on the rules provided by the Consumer Agency. The guidance, managed and implemented by the Inspectorate AGM, is important additional guidance on alcohol advertising in Sweden, based on the Alcohol Act and sometimes reflecting precisely the Consumer Agency Guidelines, but more helpful in practical terms:

http://alkoholgranskningsmannen.se/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Rekommendationerna-2018.pdf

Unofficial English translation:

http://www.g-regs.com/downloads/SWAlcSwAdvertisersReco2018.pdf

 

 

ADVERTISING SELF-REGULATION 

 

RO

 

The Self-Regulatory Organisation in Sweden is Reklamombudsmannen (RO). From RO: ‘The main task of RO is to review commercial advertising and make sure advertising standards are kept high by self-regulating the industry. RO also inform and educate the public, the industry and the authorities about marketing ethics. RO uses the guidance of the Advertising and Marketing Communication Code from the International Chamber of Commerce when assessing advertising. Specific copy advice is available; RO does not pre-clear advertising, and does not assess alcohol advertising which is under the management of AGM referenced above.

 

 

ICC

 

The ICC Framework for Responsible Marketing Communications of Alcohol tailors the standards of the ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (EN 2018; 2024 code here) also shown below under the General tab), which applies in Sweden. Specific national alcohol marcoms rules are significantly more prescriptive and aggressive

 

 

INTERNATIONAL ALCOHOL INDUSTRY GUIDELINES

 

IARD

 

The International Alliance for Responsible Drinking IARD: http://www.iard.org

IARD is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to addressing the global public health issue of harmful drinking. Its members are leading international beer, wine, and spirits producers. IARD is the Secretariat of the Beer, Wine and Spirits Producers’ Commitments to Reduce Harmful Drinking.

 

‘Guiding Principles: Self-Regulation of Marketing Communications for Beverage Alcohol’ were published in November 2011.  They highlight the underlying global values in responsible advertising and marketing practices across beverage alcohol industry sectors and form a basis for developing new codes or assessing existing codes in diverse markets. To supplement the Guiding Principles, Digital Guiding Principles (DGPs) were launched in September 2014. The scope of the DGPs is ‘relevant to all branded alcohol beverage digital marketing communications (paid and unpaid), including but not limited to advertising and marketing communications on websites such as social network sites and blogs, as well as mobile communications and applications, where the content of those communications is under the control of alcohol beverage companies’ marketers.’

 

In September 2021, IARD published Responsibility standards for the use of social influencers in alcohol marketing (EN)

 

 

WIM

 

Wine in Moderation. ‘The roots:

  • A single global message to reduce harm and inspire moderation when drinking wine
  • Tailored by each culture and community where it is introduced
  • A social responsibility program launched in 2008 by the European wine sector to demonstrate social responsibility and managed by the WiM Association.

Wine in moderation is for all wine producers and wine professionals who want to responsibly present, sell and serve wine’

https://www.wineinmoderation.eu/

 

Wine Communication Standards

 

‘These standards are established as a set of basic principles and criteria to comply with the law and with good faith and good business practices. They do not seek to replace relevant national laws or codes of conduct but do provide best practice guidelines for application by national self-regulatory bodies responsible for sector and company codes. Wine sector representative associations and/or individual companies are recommended to cooperate with the respective national self-regulatory bodies or other appropriate independent organisations for the adaptation, effective implementation and compliance monitoring at national level of these Standards.’ Document subject to copyright. Refer back to Wine in Moderation.

https://www.wineinmoderation.eu/medias/2537/WIM-communication-standard-update2022.pdf

 

 

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Read more

General

SECTION E SOURCES/ LINKS

 

 

EUROPEAN LEGISLATION

 

GDPR

 

Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of The European Parliament and of The Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation). The GDPR came into force May 25 2018. The GDPR is accompanied by Directive 2016/680, which is largely concerned with supervising procedures, and which should have been transposed into member states’ legislation by 6th May 2018.

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/679/oj 

 

European Data Protection Authority

Article 29 Working Party/ EDPB





The Article 29 Working Party was established under article 29 (hence the name) of Directive 95/46/EC, the Personal Data Protection Directive. The arrival of the GDPR heralded the demise/ re-working of A29WP, and its replacement by the European Data Protection Board:

https://edpb.europa.eu/.

All documents from the former Article 29 Working Party remain available on this newsroom

Article 29 Working Party archives from 1997 to November 2016: 

http://ec.europa.eu/justice/article-29/documentation/index_en.htm.

Five more recent, significant documents:

 

 

Commercial practices: UCPD


Directive 2005/29/EC of The European Parliament and of The Council of 11 May 2005 concerning unfair business-to-consumer commercial practices in the internal market and amending Council Directive 84/450/EEC, Directives 97/7/EC, 98/27/EC and 2002/65/EC and Regulation (EC) No. 2006/2004 (the ‘Unfair Commercial Practices Directive’ UCPD). This is the legislation that most impacts marketing and advertising in Europe and whose origins form the foundations of Self-Regulatory regimes. The core provisions relate to unfair commercial practices, defined as ‘likely to materially distort the economic behaviour with regard to the product of the average consumer.’ In turn, unfair commercial practices are those that:

 

  1. are misleading (misleading actions or misleading by omission) as set out in Articles 6 and 7, or
  2. are aggressive as set out in Articles 8 and 9: ‘use of harassment, coercion and undue influence.’ This clause more often relates to ‘active conduct’.

 

Annex I (known as ‘the blacklist’) contains the list of those commercial practices which ‘shall in all circumstances be regarded as unfair’. These are the only commercial practices which can be deemed to be unfair without a case-by-case test (i.e. assessing the likely impact of the practice on the average consumer's economic behaviour). The list includes e.g. encouragement to children to ‘pester’ (28), clear identification of commercial source in advertorial (11) and making ‘persistent and unwanted solicitations’ (26). The UCPD includes several provisions on promotional practices e.g. Article 6 (d) on the existence of a specific price advantage, Annex I point 5 on bait advertising, point 7 on special offers, points 19 and 31 on competitions and prize promotion, and point 20 on free offers. Some amendments to Directive 2005/29/EC are provided in Directive 2019/2161 linked below; these are supposed to be transposed by November 2021 and in force in member states by May 2022.

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2005/29/oj
​Guidance: On 17 December 2021, the European Commission adopted Commission Notice on the interpretation and application of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (‘the UCPD Guidance’), updating the 2016 version.

The Omnibus Directive 

 

Directive (EU) 2019/2161 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2019 amending Council Directive 93/13/EEC and Directives 98/6/EC, 2005/29/EC and 2011/83/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the better enforcement and modernisation of Union consumer protection rules. This directive, which 'aims to strengthen consumer rights through enhanced enforcement measures and increased transparency requirements', sets out some new information requirements related to search rankings and consumer reviews under the UCPD 2005/29/EC and pricing information under Directive 2011/83/EU in the context of automated decision-making and profiling of consumer behaviour, and price reduction information under the Product Pricing Directive 98/6/EC. More directly related to this database, and potentially significant for multinational advertisers, is the clause that amends article 6 (misleading actions) of the UCPD adding ‘(c) any marketing of a good, in one Member State, as being identical to a good marketed in other Member States, while that good has significantly different composition or characteristics, unless justified by legitimate and objective factors’. Recitals related to this clause, which provide some context, are here. Helpful explanatory piece on the Omnibus Directive 2019/2161 from A&L Goodbody via Lexology here. Provisions are supposed to be transposed by November 2021 and in force in member states by May 2022. 
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2019/2161/oj

Pricing

 

Directive 98/6/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 1998 on consumer protection in the indication of the prices of products offered to consumers. The purpose of this Directive is to stipulate indication of the selling price and the price per unit of measurement of products offered by traders to consumers in order to improve consumer information and to facilitate comparison of prices (Article 1). For the purposes of this Directive, selling price shall mean the final price for a unit of the product, or a given quantity of the product, including VAT and all other taxes (Article 2a). While this legislation seems prima facie most suited to ‘goods on shelves’ as it requires unit prices (the final price, including VAT and all other taxes, for one kilogramme, one litre, one metre, one square metre or one cubic metre of the product), the Directive was used as the basis for a significant ECJ judgement  on car pricing in advertising. Some amendments to Directive 98/6/EC related to price reduction information are provided in Directive 2019/2161 linked above; these are supposed to be transposed by November 2021 and in force in member states by May 28, 2022. The article concerned, 6a, is extracted here. Commission guidance on its application is below this entry.

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2019/2161/oj

 

Commission notice: Guidance on the interpretation and application of Article 6a of Directive 98/6/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on consumer protection in the indication of the prices of products offered to consumers:

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52021XC1229(06)&from=EN

 

Comparative advertising

 

Directive 2006/114/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 concerning misleading and comparative advertising. Article 4 of the MCAD provides that comparative advertising is permitted when eight conditions are met. The most significant of those for our purposes are a) it is not misleading within the meaning of Articles 2 (b), 3 and 8 (1) of this Directive or articles 6 and 7 of Directive 2005/29/EC (see above) and b) it compares goods or services meeting the same needs or intended for the same purpose. There are other significant conditions related to denigration of trademarks and designation of origin, imitation and the creation of confusion. Codified version:

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32006L0114

 

Audiovisual media

 

Directive 2010/13/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 March 2010 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision of audiovisual media services: the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, or AVMSD. This is the codified version of the much-amended Directive 89/552/EEC and represents the core European broadcast legislation, providing significant structural and content rules, applied largely consistently across member states.  From a marcoms perspective, the core articles are 9 (Discrimination, safety, the environment, minors and some prohibitions), 10 (Sponsorship), 11 (Product Placement) and 22 (Alcoholic beverages rules).

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A32010L0013

 

AVMSD amendment

 

Directive (EU) 2018/1808 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 November 2018 amending Directive 2010/13/EU on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision of audiovisual media services (Audiovisual Media Services Directive) in view of changing market realities. The background to this significant development of the AVMSD is here. In broad terms, the Directive addresses the changes in media consumption in recent years and pays particular attention to the protection of minors in that context, extending rules to e.g. shared content on SNS. There are ‘strengthened provisions to protect children from inappropriate audiovisual commercial communications for foods high in fat, salt and sodium and sugars, including by encouraging codes of conduct at EU level, where necessary’. See article 4a. Rules for alcoholic beverages are extended to on-demand audiovisual media services, but those provisions (social/ sexual success etc.) are not amended.

Article 28b addresses video- sharing platform providers (VSPS), containing requirements to prevent violent, criminal, or otherwise offensive material and bringing the 'general' AV commercial communication rules such as those for the environment, human dignity. discrimination, minors etc. into these platforms. VSPS must also provide a functionality for users who upload user-generated videos to declare whether they contain commercial communications as far as they know or can be reasonably expected to know; VSPS must accordingly inform users. There has been some debate as to whether vloggers/ influencers are in scope, i.e. they or their output constitute an audiovisual media service. Definitive opinion/ recommendation is from the European Regulators Group for Audiovisual Media Services (ERGA) paper 'Analysis and recommendations concerning the regulation of vloggers.' The annex of the paper contains national examples. The Directive entered into force 18th December 2018; member states are required to have transposed into national law by 19th September 2020. 

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2018/1808/oj

e-Privacy

 

Directive 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2002 concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (Directive on privacy and electronic communications, the ‘E-privacy Directive’). This Directive ‘provides for the harmonisation of the national provisions required to ensure an equivalent level of protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, and in particular the right to privacy and confidentiality, with respect to the processing of personal data in the electronic communication sector.’ The directive was amended by Directive 2009/136/EC; the ‘Cookie directive’, provisions found under article 5.3 of the E-Privacy Directive. Article 13 for Consent and ‘soft opt-in’ requirements

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2002/58

 

The ‘Cookie Directive’ 2009/136/EC amending Directive 2002/58/EC concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector. Article 2 provides amends to the E-privacy Directive above

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32009L0136

 

e-Privacy Regulation draft (10 February 2021)

 

Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the respect for private life and the protection of personal data in electronic communications and repealing Directive 2002/58/EC (Regulation on Privacy and Electronic Communications):

https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-6087-2021-INIT/en/pdf

Statement on the ePrivacy Regulation and the future role of Supervisory Authorities and the EDPB. Adopted on 19 November 2020:
https://edpb.europa.eu/sites/default/files/files/file1/edpb_statement_20201119_eprivacy_regulation_en.pdf

February 2022 Clifford Chance/ Lex E-Privacy check-in: where we are, and where we're headed
March 2022 Härting Rechtsanwälte/ Lex ePrivacy Regulation: EU Council agrees on the draft

 

e-Commerce

 

Directive 2000/31/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2000 on certain legal aspects of information society services, in particular electronic commerce, in the Internal Market ('Directive on electronic commerce')‘information society services’ are defined as ‘any service normally provided for remuneration, at a distance, by electronic means and at the individual request of a recipient of services.’ Article 5 covers general information such as contact details from the ‘service provider’, which information should be made easily, directly and permanently accessible to the recipients of the service’. The Directive also sets out under article 6 more specific information requirements for commercial communications which are part of, or constitute, an information society service. These include identifiability requirements and accessibility to conditions for promotions.

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32000L0031

 

The Digital Services Act

 

Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act). European Commission pages on the DSA are here. Wikipedia entry is here. Helpful legal commentary, which also addresses the Digital Markets Act, is from DLA Piper/ Lex February 2023: Online advertising: A regulatory patchwork under construction. Key marcoms issues for advertisers/ platforms are the identification of advertising material and parameters used for its targeting and the prohibition of advertising based on profiling that uses using special data categories such as religious belief, health data sexual orientation etc. (art.26), or if the platform has reason to believe the recipient is a minor (art. 28). The Regulation applies from February 2024. 

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32022R2065

 

The Digital Markets Act

 

Regulation (EU) 2022/1925 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 September 2022 on contestable and fair markets in the digital sector and amending Directives (EU) 2019/1937 and (EU) 2020/1828 (Digital Markets Act). European Commission pages are here; from those: 'Some large online platforms act as "gatekeepers" in digital markets. The Digital Markets Act aims to ensure that these platforms behave in a fair way online. Together with the Digital Services Act, the Digital Markets Act is one of the centrepieces of the European digital strategy.' Wikipedia entry is here.  Article 2a prohibits the processing, for the purpose of providing online advertising services, personal data of end users using services of third parties that make use of core platform services of the gatekeeper, unless the end user has been presented with the specific choice and has given consent within the meaning of Article 4, point (11), and Article 7 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679. The Regulation entered into force on 1st November 2022 and applied on 2nd May, 2023. Gatekeepers will be identified and they will have to comply by 6th March 2024 at the latest.

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/1925

 

 

NATIONAL LEGISLATION

 

The Marketing Act

 

The Marketing Act SFS 2008:486 (Marknadsföringslagen - MFL); entry into force 01/07/2008. This act, highly influential in marketing/ advertising in Sweden, implements the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005/29/EC and some provisions of the ePrivacy Directive, and aims to prevent marketing that is unfair to consumers and traders (Section 1). It incorporates rules from Misleading and Comparative Advertising Directive (MCAD) 84/450/EEC now codified in the form of 2006/114/EC, sets out general rules on commercial communications and ‘invitations to purchase’ and covers B2C and B2B relationships. Relevant sections are 9, 19, 20, 20a, 21 which incorporate provisions of Article 13 E-Privacy Directive (as amended by 2009/136/EC) concerning the use of unsolicited advertising via email. Consolidated text, including the amends referenced in the italicised para below introduced by 2022:656 and effective September 1, 2022:

http://www.riksdagen.se/sv/Dokument-Lagar/Lagar/Svenskforfattningssamling/Marknadsforingslag-2008486_sfs-2008-486/

https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/marknadsforingslag-2008486_sfs-2008-486

English version of 2008:486 (not up to date; last updated 03/01/2011)

http://www.government.se/content/1/c6/05/03/14/6c7aa374.pdf

Updated, but not including amends related to the 2019/2161 Directive:

http://www.g-regs.com/downloads/SWMktingActTransupdate.pdf

 

In March 2022, the Swedish government published a bill 2021/22:174 linked here (SW) Ett moderniserat konsumentskydd (Modernised consumer protection) which established the transposition of the 'Omnibus' Directive 2019/2161. The Marketing Act is the recipient for the amends the Directive made to the UCPD which for our purposes were three, essentially: the requirement to make available search ranking criteria, that traders ensure that consumer reviews originate from consumers who have actually used or purchased the product and the prohibition of 'any marketing of a good, in one Member State, as being identical to a good marketed in other Member States, while that good has significantly different composition or characteristics, unless justified by legitimate and objective factors.’ (from the Directive). The government bill sets out these amends under article 2.4. with detail thereafter.

 

Price

 

The Price Information Act (SFS 2004:347 Prisinformationslag). This act requires that consumers be given accurate and clear pricing information on products. The Marketing Act states in Section 12 (2) that where a product is marketed with a stated price, the price and unit price must be expressed as stipulated in Articles 7-10 of the Price Information Act. This provision has been confirmed by the regulatory authority – the Swedish Consumer Agency – whose guidance on price information is in the form of Regulation KOVFS 2012:1 (Section 2). In March 2022, the Swedish government published a bill 2021/22:174 linked here (SW) Ett moderniserat konsumentskydd (Modernised consumer protection) which established the transposition of the 'Omnibus' Directive 2019/2161. That Directive amended the Product Price Directive 98/6/EC to introduce new promotional pricing rules in article 6a here which require that 'Any announcement of a price reduction shall indicate the prior price applied by the trader for a determined period of time prior to the application of the price reduction.' (from the Directive; extract only). The Price Information Act is amended accordingly, under article 2.2. of the government bill. The link below includes the amends under section 7a, in force September 1, 2022.​

http://www.riksdagen.se/sv/Dokument-Lagar/Lagar/Svenskforfattningssamling/Prisinformationslag-2004347_sfs-2004-347/

Unofficial, non-binding English translation here; does not include 2022 amends

 

 

Channel legislation

 

TV and radio

 

Radio and Television Act (SFS 2010:696). This Act implements the Audiovisual Media Service (AVMS) Directive 2010/13/EU. It applies to Broadcasters established in Sweden (Sect. 3 (1)). Specific provisions are for product placement (Ch. 6), sponsorship (Ch. 7) and commercial communications (Ch. 8). Provisions for radio advertising are covered in Chapter 15; the Act also covers on-demand TV. Provisions exceed the AVMS Directive in as much as advertising ‘may not aim to appeal to children under the age of twelve’; programmes primarily aimed at children U12 may not be surrounded or interrupted by advertising (Ch. 7, 8 (3) & Ch. 6 (2)). Consolidated text (Swedish):

http://www.riksdagen.se/sv/Dokument-Lagar/Lagar/Svenskforfattningssamling/Radio--och-tv-lag-2010696_sfs-2010-696/

GRS translation of key provisions:

http://www.g-regs.com/downloads/SERadio_TVActTSc.pdf 

This act was amended effective November 2020 by SFS 2020:875 in order to address the amends to the AVMSD by Directive 2018/1808 (see above, or the linked file). Amended act here in Swedish:

 

Broadcast authority

 

The Swedish Broadcasting Authority (Myndigheten för Radio och TV). Formed 1 Aug 2010 by merging the previous agencies the Broadcasting Commission and the Swedish Radio and TV Authority. The Authority make decisions regarding licenses, fees and registration for radio and television, as well as supervising radio and television broadcasts, on-demand services and teletext.

http://www.radioochtv.se/en/

http://www.radioochtv.se/Tillstand-och-registrering/Regler-om-tillstand/

 

 

Privacy

 

Data processing

 

Data Protection pre-GDPR (see above) was primarily the domain of the Personal Data Act 1998:204, which was repealed and replaced by the new Data Protection Act 2018:218 (SW). In force 25 May 2018. Lag (2018:218) med kompletterande bestämmelser till EU:s dataskyddsförordning. The Data Protection Authority Datainspektionen makes it clear that the new law complements GDPR but does not replace any of its aspects. The new law has not been translated; original Swedish here:

https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/lag-2018218-med-kompletterande-bestammelser_sfs-2018-218

 

Data authority

 

National regulatory authority: Datainspektionen. The Data Protection Authority (DPA) is a public authority, a central government agency which reports to the Ministry of Justice. Its principal task is to protect the individual's privacy in the information society.

http://www.datainspektionen.se/  and in English:

http://www.datainspektionen.se/in-english/  

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Electronic communications

 

The Electronic Communications Act 2003:389 (Lag om elektronisk kommunikation - LEK) Issue 12/06/2003. Entry into force 25/07/2003. The ECA applies to electronic communication services and networks, including internet and telecommunication services and networks. The Act implements the E-Privacy Directive 2002/58/EC; an amendment in the form of Act 2011:590, implemented the Citizens Rights Directive 2009/136/EC, also known as the Cookie Directive. Entry into force 01/07/2011 (transitional provisions). Section 18 transposes Article 5 (3) E-Privacy Directive, courtesy of 2009/136/EC amendment. Consolidated text:

http://www.riksdagen.se/sv/Dokument-Lagar/Lagar/Svenskforfattningssamling/Lag-2003389-om-elektronisk-_sfs-2003-389/#overgang

 

e-Commerce

 

Act on electronic commerce and other information society services SFS 2002:562 (E-handelslagen) Issued 06/06/2002. Entry into force 01/07/2002. The law implements the Electronic Commerce Directive 2000/31/EC, laying down a minimum level of information required from Information Service providers. Relevant articles 8 and 9:

http://www.riksdagen.se/sv/Dokument-Lagar/Lagar/Svenskforfattningssamling/Lag-2002562-om-elektronisk-_sfs-2002-562/

There’s a summary of requirements of the E-commerce act from the Swedish Consumer Agency here:

https://www.konsumentverket.se/for-foretag/olika-saljkanaler/regler-nar-du-saljer-pa-internet/e-handelslagen/

The Nordic Consumer Ombudsmen position on trade and marketing on the internet; October 2015 (SW):

https://www.forbrugerombudsmanden.dk/media/46620/standpunkt-vedroerende-markedsfoering-og-ehandel-2010-rev-2015.pdf

 

Distance selling

 

Act 2005:59 on Distance and Off-Premises Contracts (Lag (2005:59) om distansavtal och avtal utanför affärslokaler). This law implements Directive 2002/65/EC concerning the distance marketing of consumer financial services. Amendment 2014:14 in part implements the Consumer Rights Directive 2011/83/EC by changing the name of the Act (Distance and Doorstep Sales Act) to its current title and replacing Chapter 2 (Distance contracts for goods and non-financial services) as well as repealing Chapters 4 (Doorstep Contracts) and 5 (Common Provisions).

https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/Dokument-Lagar/Lagar/Svenskforfattningssamling/Distans--och-hemforsaljningsla_sfs-2005-59/

Translation of relevant sections in Chapter 3 here:

http://www.g-regs.com/downloads/SWActDistandOPContracts.pdf

The Swedish Consumer Agency provides E-commerce guidance here:

https://www.konsumentverket.se/for-foretag/olika-saljkanaler/regler-nar-du-saljer-pa-internet/

 

 

Swedish Consumer Agency (Konsumentverket)

 

A Government Agency which answers to the Ministry of Finance. Its Director-General is also the Consumer Ombudsman (Konsumentombudsmannen, KO). The Agency, along with others, is tasked with implementing the Government's consumer policy. It is responsible for reviewing marketing and advertising for whether it is misleading or unfair. Consumer law is from the Consumer Agency’s Statute Book Konsumentverkets författningssamling KOVFS. The KOVFS consists of regulations and general guidelines; the regulations are binding whilst the guidelines only guide. The Agency can take those to court who do not meet requirements, and can take measures against misleading advertising and other forms of marketing; unfair contract terms; incorrect price information; dangerous products and services etc.:

http://www.konsumentverket.se/

Children

 

The Swedish Consumer Agency’s Guidance on marketing aimed at children and young people. A document with the original Swedish together with an English translation is here:

http://www.g-regs.com/downloads/SWChConsAgGuidelinesChildren.pdf

The original Swedish document is here:

http://www.konsumentverket.se/globalassets/publikationer/produkter-och-tjanster/reklam-och-marknadsforing/vagledning-om-marknadsforing-riktad-till-barn-och-unga-konsumentverket.pdf

 

Social Media/ Infuencers

 

The Swedish Consumer Agency Guidelines on marketing in social media:

https://www.konsumentverket.se/globalassets/publikationer/produkter-och-tjanster/reklam-och-marknadsforing/vagledning-marknadsforing-sociala-medier-konsumentverket.pdf (SW)

http://www.g-regs.com/downloads/SWConsAgencySocMediaGuidelines2020.pdf

 

 

Nordic Ombudsmen guidance 

 

Environmental claims

 

Guidance of the Nordic Consumer Ombudsmen, of which the Swedish Consumer Agency is a member; use of ethical and environmental-related claims in marketing. In Swedish here:

http://www.konsumentverket.se/contentassets/dcac36a19d2a4f5c8c6b451ce8dfc4dd/nordisk-standpunkt-miljo-konsumentverket.pdf

And translated here:

http://www.g-regs.com/downloads/SWGenNordicOmbudsmenEnvironmental_.pdf

 

Covert marketing

 

From the introduction: ‘It is important that consumers are not exposed to hidden marketing. Therefore, this is an area that is strongly prioritised by the Nordic Consumer Ombudsmen. Over the next few years, the Nordic Consumer Ombudsmen will share experiences and discuss developments in this area at Consumer Ombudsmen meetings that take place every six months. This position, which expresses the Nordic Consumer Ombudsmen's opinion of advertising identification rules, has been developed to inform companies about how to act in order not to contravene the ban on hidden advertising’. Translation from the Finnish website here:

https://www.kkv.fi/en/decisions-and-publications/publications/consumer-ombudsmans-guidelines/international/nordic-position-on-covert-marketing

Translation showing the original Swedish document together with an English translation:

http://www.g-regs.com/downloads/SWGenNordicHiddenMarketingB.pdf

 

Social media

 

The Nordic Consumer Ombudsmen's position on marketing through social media. From the Introduction: ‘The position is technology neutral and applies regardless of how the social media is made available. When business people are marketing through social media, the general marketing rules should be followed. The following sections deal with the rules that traders should be especially aware of when marketing through social media.’in Swedish:

https://www.konsumentverket.se/globalassets/publikationer/produkter-och-tjanster/reklam-och-marknadsforing/vagledning-standpunkt-marknadsforing-sociala-medier-121205-konsumentverket.pdf

Translated here:

http://www.g-regs.com/downloads/SWGenNordicOmbudsmenSocialMedia.pdf

 

Environment

 

From the introduction: ‘In recent years, focus has been directed towards additional societal considerations and values, as well as those environmental impacts associated with production, sales and marketing. Environmental issues can take in child labour, working environment, the relationship between rich and poor countries, support for charity purposes etc. The Nordic Consumer Ombudsmen have therefore considered that there is a need for new guidance about environmental issues in marketing, which includes ethical claims or statements such as those used in the marketing of companies or products.’ Translation including the original Swedish:

http://www.g-regs.com/downloads/SWGenNordicOmbudsmenEnvironmental_.pdf

 

e-Commerce

 

The position of the Nordic Consumer Ombudsmen on trading and marketing on the Internet; October 2015. This document has not yet been translated:

https://www.forbrugerombudsmanden.dk/media/46620/standpunkt-vedroerende-markedsfoering-og-ehandel-2010-rev-2015.pdf (SW)

 

 

SELF- REGULATION

 

Industry guidance and codes: RO

 

The Self-Regulatory Organisation in Sweden is Reklamombudsmannen (RO). From RO: ‘The main task of RO is to review commercial advertising and make sure advertising standards are kept high by Self-Regulating the industry. RO also inform and educate the public, the industry and the authorities about marketing ethics. RO uses the guidance of the Advertising and Marketing Communications Code from the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC Code) when assessing advertising'. Specific copy advice is available; RO does not pre-clear advertising. Individuals, companies and other organisations may file a complaint against commercial advertising that might be in breach. RO and their Jury/ Opinion Board (RON) review the advertising against the Code. Only commercial advertising aimed at the Swedish market can be assessed and not older than six months. Decisions are published on the RO website (English translation facility), as well as in newsletters and press releases, many of which receive significant attention. The 2018 ICC Code in Swedish is here:

https://iccwbo.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/2019-Marketing-Code_Swe-Final.pdf

 

ICC

 

ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code 2018 (EN):

https://iccwbo.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/09/icc-advertising-and-marketing-communications-code-int.pdf

ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code 2024 (EN):

https://iccwbo.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/ICC_2024_MarketingCode_2024.pdf

 

General Principles

Chapter A.  Sales Promotion

Chapter B. Sponsorship

Chapter C. Direct Marketing and Digital Marketing Communications

Chapter D. Environmental Claims in Marketing Communications

Chapter E. Children and Teens (2024 code)

 

Additional ICC guidance and frameworks

(non-exhaustive)

 

The ICC Framework for Responsible Environmental Marketing Communications 2021. 'The updated 2021 Environmental Framework provides added guidance on some established environmental claims and additional guidance on some emerging claims' and 'a summary of the principles of the ICC Code including those outlined in Chapter D on environmental claims and supplements them with additional commentary and guidance to aid practitioners in applying the principles to environmental advertising.' Appendix I carries an Environmental Claims Checklist 'that marketers may find useful in evaluating their environmental claims.' 
http://www.g-regs.com/downloads/iccenvironmentalframework_2021.pdf

In Swedish:

https://icc.se/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/ICC-Riktlinjer-Ansvarsfull-Marknadskommunikation-om-miljo-och-klimat_2022.pdf

ICC Resource Guide for Self-Regulation of Online Behavioural Advertising: It’s a ‘Resource Guide’, rather than rules per se, showing: explanation of global framework available for OBA self-regulation, checklist from existing OBA self-regulatory mechanisms on how to implement the global principles and links to further resources. The ICC's OBA rules are under C22 of their General Code; we have extracted the rules here

https://iccwbo.org/news-publications/policies-reports/icc-resource-guide-for-self-regulation-of-online-behavioural-advertising/

Mobile Supplement to the ICC Resource Guide for Self-Regulation of Interest-based Advertising

https://iccwbo.org/news-publications/policies-reports/mobile-supplement-icc-resource-guide-self-regulation-interest-based-advertising/

ICC Guide for Responsible Mobile Marketing Communications

https://iccwbo.org/news-publications/policies-reports/icc-guide-responsible-mobile-marketing-communications/

The ICC’s Guidance on Native Advertising

https://iccwbo.org/news-publications/policies-reports/icc-guidance-on-native-advertising/

 

EASA

 

European Advertising Standards Alliance. ‘EASA has a network of forty-one organisations representing twenty-seven advertising standards bodies (aka Self-Regulatory Organisations) from Europe and 14 organisations representing the advertising ecosystem (the advertisers, agencies and the media). EASA's role is to set out high operational standards for advertising self-regulatory systems, as set out in the Best Practice Model and EASA's Charter.’

http://www.easa-alliance.org/

Membership

http://www.easa-alliance.org/members

 

EASA’s Best Practice recommendations 

 

Digital Marketing Communications (2023)

Online Behavioural Advertising (2021)

Influencer Marketing (2023)

 

Other codes and guidance 

 

Swedish Advertisers’ Association

https://www.annons.se/swedish-association-for-marketing-and-advertising

This advertiser trade body is a member of the WFA (see below). It appears to have placed guidelines etc. behind a membership wall

 

Environmental claims: ISO

 

ISO 14021: 1999 Environmental labels and declarations. Self-declared environmental claims. Published in 1999 to provide guidelines for the use of self-declared claims. ISO 14021 covers environmental claims about products made under the sole responsibility of the businesses concerned, i.e. self-declared environmental claims.  It establishes general requirements for any environmental claims and seeks to ensure the relevance and sincerity of such claims. It also defines the requirements for the 12 most common self-declared environmental claims In addition to the twelve selected claims, the standard provides general requirements for all self-declared environmental claims (18 in total such as - a self-declared environmental claim shall be accurate and not misleading, be substantiated and verifiable, be relevant to that particular product etc.). A specific symbol selected in the standard is the Mobius Loop which applies to the product or packaging and is used with claims of recyclable and recycled content. The ISO Standard 14021 document can be purchased on the www.iso.org site:

http://www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail?csnumber=23146

 

SWEDMA

 

Swedish Direct Marketing Association (in Swedish): SWEDMA is the trade association for companies engaged in direct or interactive marketing in Sweden. Swedma also manages the Opt-out registers NIX-Adresserat and NIX-Telefon, in addition to the Ethics Board for Direct Marketing

https://www.swedma.se/ 

 

Direct postal mail

 

Addressed Direct Mail rules; updated August 2012:

http://media.swedma.se/etiska_regler_adr_rev201208.pdf (SW)

Translation of the above:

http://www.g-regs.com/downloads/SWAddressedDMCodeEN.pdf

Unaddressed Direct Mail rules (not translated):

http://media.swedma.se/etiska_regler_odr_rev201208.pdf (SW)

An agreement between the National Consumer Agency and Swedma establishes that the distribution of unaddressed direct commercial mail does not include households that have made it clear that they do not wish to receive advertising, by the sign on the door or otherwise; material must be clearly identifiable as advertising, as must its source.

 

Email

 

Consumer email rules; updated August 2013

http://media.swedma.se/etiska_regler_epost_b2c_2013.pdf (SW)

English translation:

http://www.g-regs.com/downloads/SWEDMAemailb2cEN.pdf

Marketing to businesses by email (B2B) rules; updated April 2013

 http://media.swedma.se/etiska_regler_epost_b2b_2013.pdf (SW)

English translation:

http://www.g-regs.com/downloads/SWEDMAEmailb2bEN.pdf

 

IAB Sweden

 

IAB Sweden is ‘the networking and knowledge platform for interactive advertising and digital marketing in Sweden’:

http://iabsverige.se/

Mina cookies website (administered by IAB Sweden):

http://www.minacookies.se/

 

IAB TCF Framework and GDPR from GALA/ Mondaq February 2022. News story here (EN)

 

WFA

 

This is the GDPR Guide for Marketers from the WFA (World Federation of Advertisers):

http://info.wfa.be/WFA-GDPR-guide-for-marketers.pdf

The WFA launched their Planet Pledge in April 2021

And Global Guidance on Environmental Claims April 2022

 

ESA

 

The European Sponsorship Association is at: 

www.sponsorship.org

 

 

 

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Read more

International

SECTION E SOURCES/ LINKS

 

 

SELF-REGULATION 
 

ICC

 

ICC Advertising and Marketing Communications Code 2024. In September 2024, the International Chamber of Commerce introduced the newly revised Advertising and Marketing Communications Code (the Code). From the website:  '11th Code revision – significant changes: The rapid evolution of technology and technologically enhanced marketing communications and techniques means that producing responsible marketing communications that are trusted in a digital world has continued to be important for companies in preserving their ‘license to operate’. For this reason, the 11th revision addresses both the Code’s usability and its applicability to technology enhanced marketing communications and techniques. It sets a gold standard for modern rule-making in our digital world by addressing the role of people, organisations, software and machines. Significant changes include:

 

  • greater clarity in the scope and application to different forms of marketing communications
  • the inclusion of coverage for the use of algorithms and AI in preparing and delivering marketing communications
  • taking account of recent social and technological developments and the inclusion of specific provisions from chapters which are widely applicable to all marketing communications
  • encouraging mindfulness regarding diversity and avoiding objectification stereotypes
  • new provisions concerning anti-corruption and not inciting or condoning hate speech and disinformation
  • improved indications regarding claims (including aspirational claims) and substantiation
  • addressing influencer marketing and the responsibility of influencers and creators
  • updated provisions regarding environmental advertising and environmental aspects of sustainability
  • clearer rules in a separate chapter regarding children, teens and minors

 

This Code revision has been informed by the latest industry rules and legal developments around the world, such as in the area of consumer protection, privacy and fair competition. The Code is designed to establish a sound ethical framework to govern marketing practices worldwide based on twin goals of fostering consumer fairness and trust, and the freedom of commercial communications.' The Code is organised into General Provisions and individual chapters Sales Promotion (A), Sponsorship (B), Direct Marketing and Digital Marketing Communications (C), Environmental Claims in Marketing Communication (D) and Children and Teens (E). Translation of the code is under way as at September 2024. Earlier translations of the former (2018) code can be found here.

https://iccwbo.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/09/ICC_2024_MarketingCode_2024.pdf (EN)

 

 

Additional guides and frameworks (all EN)


ICC Guide for Responsible Mobile Marketing Communications

Mobile supplement to the ICC Resource Guide for Self-Regulation of Interest Based Advertising

ICC Framework for Responsible Marketing Communications of Alcohol

ICC Resource Guide for Self-Regulation of Online Behavioural Advertising

ICC Framework for Responsible Environmental Marketing Communications

ICC Framework for Responsible Food and Beverage Marketing Communication

ICC Guidance on Native Advertising 

 

ICC toolkits

 

 

IAB Europe

 

IAB (Interactive Advertising Bureau) Europe: Its mission is to 'protect, prove, promote and professionalise' Europe's online advertising, media, research and analytics industries. Together with its members, companies and national trade associations, IAB Europe represents over 5,500 organisations with national membership including 27 National IABs and partner associations in Europe. 

http://www.iabeurope.eu/

'The Gold Standard is open to all IAB UK members who buy and sell digital media. It improves the digital advertising experience, helps compliance with the GDPR and ePrivacy law, tackles ad fraud and upholds brand safety':

https://www.iabuk.com/goldstandard

February 2022. EU Regulators Rule Ad Tech Industry's TCF Framework Violates GDPR from GALA/ Mondaq. From that: 'The Belgian Data Protection Authority (DPA) has ruled that the Transparency and Consent Framework (TCF) adopted by Europe's ad tech industry violates the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Further story here

IAB Europe published in May 2020 the Guide to the Post Third-Party Cookie Era and in July 2021 the Guide to Contextual Advertising 

IAB Europe's December 2021 Guide to Native Advertising provides 'up-to-date insight into native ad formats and key considerations and best practices for buyers.' 

 

 

ICAS

 

From their website: 'The International Council for Advertising Self-Regulation (ICAS) is a global platform which promotes effective advertising self-regulation. ICAS members include Self-Regulatory Organizations (SROs) and other national, regional and international bodies working to ensure that advertising and marketing communications are legal, honest, truthful and decent.' In December 2021, ICAS published the fourth edition of its Global SRO Database and Factbook

https://icas.global/about/

 

EASA: European Advertising Standards Alliance

 
'EASA has a network of 40 organisations representing 27 advertising standards bodies (also called self-regulatory organisations) from Europe and 13 organisations representing the advertising ecosystem (the advertisers, agencies and the media). EASA's role is to set out high operational standards for advertising self-regulatory systems, as set out in the Best Practice Model and EASA's Charter. EASA also provides a space for the advertising ecosystem to work together at European and international level to address common challenges and make sure advertising standards are futureproof.' EASA’s membership consists of 38 SROs from Europe and beyond, and 16 advertising industry associations, including advertisers, agencies and the media. 

http://www.easa-alliance.org/

 

Best Practice Recommendation on Digital Marketing Communications (updated 2023): EASA revised its Best Practice Recommendation (BPR) on Digital Marketing Communications in 2023 to ensure advertising standards remain effective and relevant when it comes to 'the ever-changing digital landscape and interactive marketing techniques'. Emphasis is placed on the need for all marketing communications to be easily identifiable for consumers, no matter where or how they are displayed: 

https://www.easa-alliance.org/publications/easa-best-practice-recommendations-digital-marketing-communications/

 

EASA Best Practice Recommendation on OBA (Revised Oct. 2021): provides for a pan-european, industry-wide self-regulatory standard for online behavioural advertising. The Mobile Addendum in 2016 extended the types of data relevant to OBA Self-Regulation, to include cross-application data, location data, and personal device data. The BPR incorporates (in sections 2 and 3) and complements IAB Europe’s self-regulatory Framework for OBA:

https://www.easa-alliance.org/publications/easa-best-practice-recommendation-on-oba-2021/

 

EASA Best Practice Recommendation on Influencer Marketing 2023. From the document: The EASA Best Practice Recommendation on Influencer Marketing aims to look at the key elements of influencer marketing techniques and assist SROs in creating their own national guidance by showcasing already existing national guidance on this topic across the SR networks and elaborating the different elements a guidance should address and define. EASA recognises that, subject to local parameters SROs may vary in their national practices and choose to go beyond what is suggested in this document or design and implement alternative strategies and guidelines to ensure that influencer marketing abides by the national advertising codes and is honest, decent and truthful and can be thus trusted by consumers.

https://www.easa-alliance.org/publications/best-practice-recommendation-on-influencer-marketing-guidance_v2023/

 

The European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance (EDAA)

 

The EDAA has been established by a cross-industry coalition of European-level associations  with an interest in delivering a responsible European Self-Regulatory Programme for OBA in the form of pan-European standards  The EDAA essentially administers this programme; their principal purpose is to licence the OBA Icon to companies. It is also responsible for integrating businesses on the Consumer Choice platform - www.youronlinechoices.eu and ensuring credible compliance and enforcement procedures are in place through EDAA-approved Certification Providers who deliver a ‘Trust Seal’. It also coordinates closely with EASA and national SRO’s for consumer complaint handling

 

 

FEDMA

 

FEDMA (Federation of European Direct and Interactive Marketing) is a Brussels-based, pan-European association representing twenty-one national DMA’s and corporate members 
https://www.fedma.org/

 

 

THE EU PLEDGE 

 

The EU Pledge, enhanced July 2021 effective January 2022, is a voluntary initiative by leading Food and Beverage companies, accounting for over 80% of food and soft drink advertising expenditure in the EU, to change food and soft drink advertising to children under the age of thirteen in the European Union. It consists of three main commitments:

 

 

The EU Pledge Implementation guidance, in detail and by medium, is here. The Pledge is consistent with the International Food & Beverage Alliance (IFBA)’s 2021 Global Responsible Marketing policy

 

WFA

https://wfanet.org/about-wfa/who-we-are

 

‘WFA is the only global organisation representing the common interests of marketers. It is the voice of marketers worldwide, representing 90% of global marketing communications spend – roughly US$900 billion per annum. WFA champions more effective and sustainable marketing communications.’

 

Planet Pledge is a CMO-led framework designed to galvanise action from marketers within our membership to promote and reinforce attitudes and behaviours which will help the world meet the challenges laid out in the UN SDGs (Sustainable development goals).

https://wfanet.org/leadership/planet-pledge

 

The Responsible Marketing Pact (RMP) aims to reduce minors’ exposure to alcohol marketing, limit the appeal of alcohol marketing to minors, and strive to ensure minors’ social media experience is free from alcohol ads.

 

 

EUROPEAN LEGISLATION

 

Channel Regulations and Directives 

 

Regulation 2016/679 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force on May 25 2018, and is accompanied by Directive 2016/680, which is largely concerned with supervising procedures, and which should have been transposed into member states’ legislation by 6th May 2018

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/679/oj 

 

Article 29 Working Party/ EDPB

 

The Article 29 Working Party was established under article 29 (hence the name) of Directive 95/46/EC on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (Personal Data Protection Directive). It has an advisory status and acts independently of the European Commission. The arrival of the GDPR heralded the demise/re-working of A29WP, and its replacement by the European Data Protection Board: 

https://edpb.europa.eu/.

 

All documents from the former Article 29 Working Party remain available on this newsroom

Article 29 Working Party archives from 1997 to November 2016:

http://ec.europa.eu/justice/article-29/documentation/index_en.htm.

More recent documents:

 

 

 

Key Directives in marketing communications

 

Privacy/ cookies

 

Directive 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2002 concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (Directive on privacy and electronic communications, the ‘e-Privacy Directive’). This Directive ‘provides for the harmonisation of the national provisions required to ensure an equivalent level of protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, and in particular the right to privacy and confidentiality, with respect to the processing of personal data in the electronic communication sector.’ The directive was amended by Directive 2009/136/EC; the ‘Cookie directive’, provisions found under article 5.3 of the E-Privacy Directive. Article 13 for Consent and ‘soft opt-in’ requirements

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2002/58

 

The ‘Cookie Directive’ 2009/136/EC amending Directive 2002/58/EC concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector 
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32009L0136

 

e-Privacy Regulation draft (10 February 2021)

 

Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the respect for private life and the protection of personal data in electronic communications and repealing Directive 2002/58/EC (Regulation on Privacy and Electronic Communications):

https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-6087-2021-INIT/en/pdf

Statement on the ePrivacy Regulation and the future role of Supervisory Authorities and the EDPB. Adopted on 19 November 2020:
https://edpb.europa.eu/sites/default/files/files/file1/edpb_statement_20201119_eprivacy_regulation_en.pdf

February 2022 Clifford Chance/ Lex E-Privacy check-in: where we are, and where we're headed
March 2022 Härting Rechtsanwälte/ Lex ePrivacy Regulation: EU Council agrees on the draft

 

e-Commerce

 

Directive 2000/31/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2000 on certain legal aspects of information society services, in particular electronic commerce, in the Internal Market ('Directive on electronic commerce'). ‘information society services’ are defined as ‘any service normally provided for remuneration, at a distance, by electronic means and at the individual request of a recipient of services.’ Article 5 covers general information to be provided by the ‘service provider’, which information should be made ‘easily, directly and permanently accessible to the recipients of the service’. The Directive sets out the information requirements for commercial communications which are part of, or constitute, an information society service under article 6.

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32000L0031

 

Pricing

 

Directive 98/6/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 1998 on consumer protection in the indication of the prices of products offered to consumers. The purpose of this Directive is to stipulate indication of the selling price and the price per unit of measurement of products offered by traders to consumers in order to improve consumer information and to facilitate comparison of prices (Article 1). For the purposes of this Directive, selling price shall mean the final price for a unit of the product, or a given quantity of the product, including VAT and all other taxes (Article 2a). While this legislation seems prima facie most suited to ‘goods on shelves’ as it requires unit prices (the final price, including VAT and all other taxes, for one kilogramme, one litre, one metre, one square metre or one cubic metre of the product), the Directive was used as the basis for a significant ECJ judgement on car pricing in advertising. Some amendments to Directive 98/6/EC related to price reduction information are provided in Directive 2019/2161 linked below.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=celex:31998L0006

 

Commercial practices 

 

Directive 2005/29/EC of The European Parliament and of The Council of 11 May 2005 concerning unfair business-to-consumer commercial practices in the internal market and amending Council Directive 84/450/EEC, Directives 97/7/EC, 98/27/EC and 2002/65/EC and Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 (the ‘Unfair Commercial Practices Directive’ – UCPD). This is the European legislation that most impacts marketing and advertising in Europe. Some amendments to Directive 2005/29/EC are provided in Directive 2019/2161 linked below; these are supposed to be transposed by November 2021 and in force in member states by May 2022.

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2005/29/oj
Guidance:
December 2021, the European Commission issued Guidance on the interpretation and application of the UCPD, updating the 2016 version. 

 

 

The Omnibus Directive 

 

Directive (EU) 2019/2161 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2019 amending Council Directive 93/13/EEC and Directives 98/6/EC, 2005/29/EC and 2011/83/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the better enforcement and modernisation of Union consumer protection rules. This directive, which 'aims to strengthen consumer rights through enhanced enforcement measures and increased transparency requirements', sets out some new information requirements related to search rankings and consumer reviews under the UCPD 2005/29/EC, new pricing information under Directive 2011/83/EU in the context of automated decision-making and profiling of consumer behaviour, and price reduction information under the Product Pricing Directive 98/6/EC. More directly related to this database, and potentially significant for multinational advertisers, is the clause that amends article 6 (misleading actions) of the UCPD adding ‘(c) any marketing of a good, in one Member State, as being identical to a good marketed in other Member States, while that good has significantly different composition or characteristics, unless justified by legitimate and objective factors’. Recitals related to this clause, which provide some context, are here. Helpful explanatory piece on the Omnibus Directive 2019/2161 from A&L Goodbody via Lexology here. Provisions were supposed to be transposed by November 2021 and in force in member states by May 2022; some delays but all in place end 2022.  
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2019/2161/oj

 

Comparative advertising

 

Directive 2006/114/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 concerning misleading and comparative advertising (codified version):

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32006L0114

 

Audiovisual media

 

Directive 2010/13/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 March 2010 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision of audiovisual media services: the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, or AVMSD. This is the codified version of the much-amended Directive 89/552/EEC and represents the core European broadcast legislation, providing significant structural and content rules, applied largely consistently across member states.  From a marcoms perspective, the core articles are 9 (Discrimination, safety, the environment, minors and some prohibitions), 10 (Sponsorship), 11 (Product Placement) and 22 (Alcoholic beverages rules).

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A32010L0013

 

AVMSD amendment

 

Directive (EU) 2018/1808 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 November 2018 amending Directive 2010/13/EU on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision of audiovisual media services (Audiovisual Media Services Directive) in view of changing market realities. The background to this significant development of the AVMSD is here and there's a helpful piece from Simmons and Simmons LLP/ Lexology here. In broad terms, the Directive addresses the changes in media consumption in recent years and pays particular attention to the protection of minors in that context, extending rules to e.g. shared content on SNS. There are ‘strengthened provisions to protect children from inappropriate audiovisual commercial communications for foods high in fat, salt and sodium and sugars, including by encouraging codes of conduct at EU level, where necessary’. See article 4a. Rules for alcoholic beverages are extended to on-demand audiovisual media services, but those provisions (social/ sexual success etc.) are not amended. Another significant aspect is the introduction of rules for video-sharing platforms in particular under articles 28a and 28b; new rules include the identification of commercial communications where known. The Directive entered into force 18th December 2018; member states are required to have transposed into national law by 19th September 2020.

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2018/1808/oj

 

Food Regulations

 

EU Regulation 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods. The annex to the Regulation contains the nutritional claims and the conditions under which they can be made for individual products. More information on the Regulation is here, and the Regulation itself is found in full from the link below:

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02006R1924-20121129&from=EN

 

Regulation 432/2012 establishing a list of permitted health claims made on foods, other than those referring to the reduction of disease risk and to children’s development and health. This Regulation carries an updated annex with the complete list of approved health (as opposed to nutrition) claims and their conditions of use:

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A32012R0432

 

Regulation 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers. While this Regulation is largely to do with labelling, it also incorporates a number of broad requirements for advertising, largely to do with misleadingness, set out under Article 7:

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32011R1169&from=EN

 

​Regulation 609/2013 on food intended for infants and young children, food for special medical purposes, and total diet replacement for weight control:

eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=celex%3A32013R0609

 

Audiovisual media 

 

AVMS Directive (incorporating some alcohol rules). Directive 2010/13/EU on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision of audiovisual media services (Audiovisual Media Services Directive). Article 9 for General rules, 22 for Alcohol rules. Consolidated version following amends of Directive 2018/1808:

 

 

The Digital Services Act

 

Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act). European Commission pages on the DSA are here. Wikipedia entry is here. Helpful legal commentary, which also addresses the Digital Markets Act, is from DLA Piper/ Lex February 2023: Online advertising: A regulatory patchwork under construction. Key marcoms issues for advertisers/ platforms are the identification of advertising material and parameters used for its targeting and the prohibition of advertising based on profiling that uses using special data categories such as religious belief, health data sexual orientation etc. (art.26), or if the platform has reason to believe the recipient is a minor (art. 28). The Regulation applies from February 2024. 

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32022R2065

 

 

The Digital Markets Act

 

Regulation (EU) 2022/1925 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 September 2022 on contestable and fair markets in the digital sector and amending Directives (EU) 2019/1937 and (EU) 2020/1828 (Digital Markets Act). European Commission pages are here; from those: 'Some large online platforms act as "gatekeepers" in digital markets. The Digital Markets Act aims to ensure that these platforms behave in a fair way online.Together with the Digital Services Act, the Digital Markets Act is one of the centrepieces of the European digital strategy.' Wikipedia entry is here.  Article 2a prohibits the processing, for the purpose of providing online advertising services, personal data of end users using services of third parties that make use of core platform services of the gatekeeper, unless the end user has been presented with the specific choice and has given consent within the meaning of Article 4, point (11), and Article 7 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679. The Regulation entered into force on 1st November 2022 and applied on 2nd May, 2023. Gatekeepers will be identified and they will have to comply by 6th March 2024 at the latest.

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/1925

 

 

 

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