 "Centre limits self-declaration certificate for ads of food, health sectors")
The Centre on Wednesday issued an advisory limiting the mandatory self-declaration certificates (SDCs) for advertisements to food and health sectors only.
The government also said that the facility for uploading the certificate by the advertiser/advertising agency for TV and Radio ads has been made operational on the Broadcast Seva Portal. For print and digital advertisements, SDCs will have to be uploaded on the website of the Press Council of India (PCI).
“In light of the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, and in supersession of previous Advisories dated 03.06.2024 and 05.06.2024, advertisers/advertising agencies issuing advertisements for products and services related to Food and Health sectors are advised to upload an annual self-declaration certificate on the above-mentioned portals, as applicable, and make available the proof of uploading the self-declaration to the concerned media stakeholders, such as TV channels, newspapers, entities involved in publishing of advertisements on the internet, etc. for the record,” the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting said, in the advisory.
The self-declaration norms came into effect on June 18 following an order by the Supreme Court, which directed that before printing, airing or displaying any advertisement, the advertiser or the advertising agency must submit a self-declaration to Broadcast Seva Portal of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.
“No advertisements shall be permitted to be run on the relevant channels and/or in the print media/internet without uploading the self-declaration as directed above,” the court had ordered.
Following this, industry bodies Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), the Indian Newspaper Association (INS), and the Indian Society of Advertisers (ISA) wrote to the ministry saying that this requires attention, consideration, and resolution before implementation.
On Wednesday, Manisha Kapoor, chief executive officer and Secretary General, Advertising Standards Council of India (Asci), said MIB has “taken cognisance of the various issues related to the working of the portal, the manner in which digital advertising functions, as well as noting that the court had expressed concern with the food and health sectors primarily”.
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“Commitment to honest advertising remains paramount and the industry must continue its commitment to being compliant with all applicable laws," she said.
“Advertising is under increased regulatory scrutiny and advertisers and agencies should take the required steps to ensure compliance. This is true across sectors,” Kapoor added.