Better Regulation
From 'Advertising Matters' (3/12/09)
The Legislative and Regulatory Reform (Regulatory Functions) (Amendment) Order 2009 came into force on 15th November. The introduction of the measure follows a consultation process conducted by the Better Regulation Executive earlier in the year to which the Advertising Association responded HERE.
The Advertising Association supported Government proposals to extend the scope of the Regulator’s Compliance Code, which places an obligation on statutory regulators to abide by the principles of good regulation, to local trading standards services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
It should ensure that services there adopt a consistent approach towards the regulation of, for example, non-broadcast consumer credit advertising and medicines advertising, where they hold some responsibilities. The Order also has implications for regulators south of the border, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, for instance, must also now abide by the principles of good regulation when enforcing the London Olympics association right, which impinges on advertising.
Meanwhile, thanks to work by the Advertising Association the Order ensures that a proportionate approach is adopted towards the enforcement of the Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula Regulations 2007, which contain a number of advertising-related provisions. A copy of the Order and the accompanying Explanatory Memorandum can be downloaded from HERE and HERE respectively.