In France and Belgium, advertising juries have been set up. They are self-regulatory organizations in the advertising sector to prevent abuse from taking place. And to ensure healthier advertising.
As a result, you can file a complaint against an advertisement you have seen in 5 clicks. And against any type of advertising: whether it is a display ad, a digital ad, a message on a package, a flyer, etc.
We therefore invite you to file a complaint if an advertisement does not respect the rules. That is our role as consumers.
Here are a few rules.
- Take a photo of the ad in question if possible. It is not necessary to file a complaint, but it will make the process easier. Without a photo, you should describe the ad as accurately as possible.
- Initially, these juries were created to avoid false advertising. So if an advertisement is false, that is sufficient reason to file a complaint. For example, if the advertisement says that a product is made in Belgium when that is not the case.
- It must also be healthy, in the sense that it should not be offensive or cause harm to any part of the population.
- Nor should it encourage individuals to perform so-called harmful behaviors. Typically, encourage them to come to the casino every night.
- And advertising cannot harm society at large. When it comes to the environment, this means that ecological arguments cannot be misused. Saying that driving a car is good for the planet because it is electric for example is wrong and bad for the planet. This is therefore sufficient reason to file a complaint. On the other hand, to say that it is better than an internal combustion car during use is a priory accepted.
- It costs you nothing to file a complaint. So don't hesitate!
Now you know everything. So we count on you to file a complaint if an advertisement does not respect one of these rules. To carry out your work as a citizen.
Here is the link to file a complaint in Belgium with the Advertising Ethics Board (JEP): https://www.jep.be/fr/formulaire-de-plainte/
And here is the link to do it in France to the advertising ethics jury (JDP): https://www.jdp-pub.org/deposer-une-plainte-relative-au-contenu-dune-publicite/
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