What self-regulation exists across Europe?
Directorate General for Health and Consumer Protection (DG SANCO)
“I am confident that self-regulation will be given the full weight in society’s choices among the menu of regulatory options.”
Robert Madelin, Director-General (Advertising Round Table Report)
Self-regulation exists in most of the current Member States of the European Union; in some of them it has been operating for several decades. In some countries, advertising is subject to detailed legislation to such an extent that the scope left for self-regulation is very limited. In others, there is little detailed legislation and advertising content is efficiently regulated by self-regulatory bodies. The role of self-regulation is acknowledged in various EU initiatives.
Many of the new Members States were quick to appreciate the benefits of self-regulation to industry and consumers alike: most have already set up systems and others are in the process of doing so. In some of these countries, the important role of self-regulation has been formally recognised by government. ‘The Blue Book’, a detailed analysis of the advertising self-regulatory systems and bodies in place in Europe, is produced by the Alliance.
More information on the Blue Book
Further information on European self-regulatory systems being created and developed