- When you lodge a complaint with the ARB we request certain information. This is to ascertain, as far as possible, that you are a real person, that you are not a competitor pretending to be a consumer and that multiple complaints do in fact come from separate individuals.
- We share your name with the Advertiser against whom you complained, and we publish your name in our decisions, if the matter reaches that point. If you do not wish for this to occur, you need to withdraw your complaint.
- We do not share any of your other information without your permission.
- Your information is securely stored on our server.
- You may at any time request details about what information we have about you.
- We may from time to time use your information to examine complaint trends based on demographics. In doing so, we will at no time link your name to such trends analysis.
- You may at any time before a decision is made, withdraw the complaint and ask us to erase your data.
- However, once a decision is made, we are required to keep a full record for our legal protection in the event that the matter is challenged at a later stage.
- You may contact info@arb.org.za for any information in this regard at any time.
Consumer protection through responsible advertising
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Welcome to the Advertising Regulatory Board
When the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa (ASA) went into liquidation in its 50th year, the marketing and advertising industries were determined that this would not mean the end of self-regulation of advertising in South Africa. Protection of the consumer is a priority of government and the marketing and advertising sectors and all parties were determined to ensure that a credible and competent organisation would step into the gap left by the unfortunate demise of the ASA.
The original core members of the ASA – the Marketing Association of South Africa (MASA), the Association for Communication and Advertising (ACA) and the Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) – all became founding members of the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB).
The Advertising Regulatory Board administers the widely-accredited Code of Advertising Practice which regulates the content of South African advertising.
Informed by the learnings of 50 years of self-regulation in South Africa, the ARB steps into a new era of industry co-operation and support. The lessons of the past, combined with a fresh, new approach, will ensure that the consumer is protected through responsible advertising.
The ARB accepts complaints from consumers and businesses. To lodge a complaint visit the Complaints page.
ARB staff are working remotely. Please direct a query to info@arb.org.za and it will be forwarded to the appropriate person.
FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE ARB
MEMBERS OF THE ARB
ARB DECISION UPHELD ON REVIEW
05-February 2021
On 21 December 2020, the Gauteng Local Division of the High Court of South Africa handed down a decision dismissing a review of a decision of the Final Appeal Committee of the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB). The matter was Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals (Pty) Ltd v The Advertising Regulatory Board and two others (unreported), and the issue before the ARB was a claim made by Dettol Soap.
The Advertiser in the matter took the decision on review, alleging that the Final Appeal Committee had erred in a number of reviewable counts in reaching their decision. The Court dismissed the review, saying that “The FAC’s reasoning on the merits is faultless”.
“When parties take matters on review, it presents a learning opportunity for our Committees, whatever the outcome,” says Gail Schimmel, CEO of the ARB. “That said, it’s always reassuring to have our faith in Judge Ngoepe and his Final Appeal Committee, as well as the findings of the Advertising Appeals Committee, reaffirmed by a court finding.”
ARB BECOMES A MEMBER OF ICAS
01-January-2019
ARB becomes a full member of the International Council for Advertising Self-Regulation (ICAS)
Read more...
CURRENT FUNDERS
The ARB is grateful for the support shown by these leading brands
The Advertising Regulatory Board
NPC 2018/5288775/08
Protection of your personal information
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