- 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
APPLY FOR A MAC CERTIFICATE
THE ARB ADMINISTERS 5 POINTS IN TERMS OF s13/20 OF THE MAC CHARTER
The MAC Sector Charter is the BBBEE Code for the advertising industry.
- 3 points are available for getting a certificate of no rulings. We charge R2000 plus VAT to issue this certificate, and it usually has a 24 hour turn over time from payment.
- There are a further 2 points available for having done a Responsible Social Marketing campaign in terms of the Code. In brief, this is a campaign that in some manner encourages consumers to behave in a more socially responsible way. The typical example would be a don’t-drink-and-drive campaign. We charge R1000 plus VAT to assess your campaign and issue a letter of confirmation that your campaign complies (if it does!)
- If you have NOT done an RSM campaign and need the points, you can also make a donation to the ARB to assist us in our work in the responsible marketing arena.
- Some verification agents require you to attend training initiatives. The ARB offers training and will issue a letter of confirmation once you have completed it.
To find out more, please email info@arb.org.za.
