Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Advertising Standards Authority about (1) the operation of, and (2) the future content of, the Code on Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct and Promotional Marketing; and what has been the outcome.

The Government is committed to ensuring that the principles that govern advertising in traditional media also apply and are enforced online. We recognise the highly complex nature of the online advertising industry and as part of the Digital Charter’s work programme we are gathering more evidence on the sector as a whole.

To support this work we are engaging with regulators, online platforms and advertising companies, to understand the impact of online advertising on society and the economy.

As an independent authority, the CMA has complete discretion to investigate consumer and competition cases which, according to its prioritisation principles, it considers most appropriate. The CMA’s case selection is entirely independent and cannot be influenced by government.

The Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing is drawn up the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP), an independent body comprised of advertising industry representatives, and enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority through a system of self-regulation. The Code applies to advertising in non-broadcast media including online, as well as print, outdoors, video-on-demand, direct marketing and cinema. It is regularly reviewed and updated by CAP to ensure it remains effective, and proposed changes to the Code are routinely subject to public consultation. This process is conducted independently of Government.