Advertising Codes and

Regulations
The advertising industry's self-regulation system of codes
and guidelines is a self-imposed discipline with the
objective of prescribing and monitoring standards of
advertising in the public interest. It complements
government regulations and legislation.
There are an increasing number of sensitive advertiser
categories in which governments, consumer groups and
regulators take a lively interest. Voluntary and monitored
self-regulation of the advertising industry allows
reasonable freedom of speech and
expression. Communications Council members should be
conscious of the importance of self-regulation and
embrace it in spirit as well as word.
Under the Accreditation Program, agencies are expected
to ensure their staff have a thorough understanding of
codes and regulations relevant to their work.
The AANA Code of Ethics, the Advertising to Children Code
and the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice
are two codes all agencies are expected to know under
Accreditation.
Accredited members can choose other codes to be
included in their accreditation program, to reflect the
requirements of their client base.
Accreditation Requirements
75 per cent of relevant staff (creative, planning,
account service and production) whose clients are
involved in Codes and Guidelines should demonstrate
an understanding of these principles.
This can be verified by:
• Actively participating in a workshop
• Participation in a advertiser or industy training
workshop
The Advertising Standards Board and Bureau
It considers written complaints about advertisements in
the mainstream media, using the AANA Advertiser Code of
Ethics as the basis of its determinations. It considers
advertisements which people find offensive on the basis of
discrimination (race, nationality, sex, age, sexual
preference, religion, disability, political belief), violence,
language, portrayal of sex, sexuality or nudity, health and
safety, and alarm or distress to children.