Task Force on Self-Regulation

What is advertising Self-Regulation?

Self-regulation in the advertising sector is the recognition by the industry that advertising should comply with a set of ethical rules, namely that it should be legal, decent, honest and truthful, prepared with a sense of social responsibility to the consumer and society as a whole and with due respect to the rules of fair competition.

This commitment is communicated through codes of conduct combined with effective enforcement mechanisms supported by all principal players.

The fundamental value of self-regulation lies in its ability to create, enhance and preserve consumer trust and confidence in the business communities behind it, and thereby in the marketplace itself. Active self-regulation is also an instrument for the protection of individual companies’ good will and reputation.

The ICC is uniquely placed to bring together views and experiences from all parts of the world -across sectors, borders, local costumes and practices- and thus to develop internationally accepted codes for marketing communication reflecting a consensus of global leaders in the advertising industry.

That’s why the ICC Commission on Marketing and Advertising remains the single most important international forum for developing self-regulatory codes and standards.

About the Task Force on Self-Regulation

Under the leadership of its Chair, Peje Emilsson, Founder & Executive Chairman, Kreab Group, Sweden, the Task Force on Self-Regulation is working on how ICC, in cooperation with others, can actively promote self-regulation and the use of its Codes to spread best practices and the benefits of a high functioning self-regulatory system.

The Task Force was established in June 2007 and has Davis Hodge, Consultant, Strategy XXI, USA, as its rapporteur.

Recent / Upcoming events

The Task Force held its last meeting on 3 December 2007. The task force work culminated in a report delivered to the Marketing and Advertising Commission and the ICC Executive Board launching ICC's Business Action for Responsible Marketing and Advertising (BARMA) initiative.

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