Advert Restrictions and Regulations

To be able to make a successful advert, I need to ensure that everything evident in my advert is safe to be seen by all ranges of audiences. Therefore, I have looked into advert restrictions and regulations to inform myself about what content I can put into my advert. By informing myself of these restrictions and rules, it will prevent me from making an advert that would not allowed to be seen by an audience.

"Advertising regulation refers to the laws and rules defining the ways in which products can be advertised in a particular region."

• In the United Kingdom, advertising content regulation is governed by the Advertising Standards Authority whereas in the UK most forms of outdoor advertising such as the display of billboards is regulated by the UK Town and County Planning system. Currently the display of an advertisement without consent from the Planning Authority is a criminal offence liable to a fine of £2500 per offence. In terms of TV advertising in the UK,  clearances are made before an advert can be aired on TV. A script has to be approved first once vetted for inappropriate advertising practices-- then the final copy will be submitted to get final clearance will be given. Without prior clearance, adverts cannot go on air in the UK.
• January 2nd, 1971 - adverts featuring cigarettes were banned from being aired on TV. If I were to apply this to my own TV advert, cigarettes would not be allowed to be used as a prop nor would they be allowed to be seen on screen by viewers. As I am not wanting to advertise an advert that features a cigarette, this will not be a problem or constraint for me. 
• In contrast to cigarette advert restrictions, the advertisement of alcohol products are permitted - however the consumption of alcohol products are not allowed to be evident in a television advert. 
• In the UK, the BBC is funded by a licence fee and does not screen adverts. The amount of airtime allowed by the UK broadcasting regulator 'Ofcom' for advertising in an overall average of 7 minutes per hour (off peak) - with limits of 12 minutes for any particular clock hour. Overall, this means that adverts are not to be shown too much. Moreover, the more successful adverts are not needed to be shown more than once to a viewer within the hour as they are more memorable - an audience will recognise the advert straight away whether it be a product or service. 
• Currently stating, there are rules and regulations that apply to TV advertising on broadcasted channels. Restrictions have been put in place to ensure that viewers are not exposed to too much advertising in one hour. As there is a restriction on how many adverts are shown within a time frame, I must make sure that my advert is effective and memorable to an audience the first time they see it.

False Advertising - is the use of false or misleading statements in advertising, and misrepresentation of the product at hand, which may negatively affect many stakeholders, especially consumers. However, it is illegal in most countries, however advertisers still find ways to deceive consumers in ways that are legal. 

Source - Wikepedia