On 1 April 2009 two new advertising codes entered into force: the SMS text services code and the revised Code for travel offers.
The main purpose of the long awaited SMS text services advertising code is to prevent deception of the public. The Code includes rules regarding how a SMS text service has to be communicated. For example commercial communications for a subscription service must contain information about the exact costs, how many SMS texts the service includes and where consumers can deposit their questions etc. Furthermore the Code includes a template for TV commercials and an example for online advertisements which the advertiser has to use. The new Code also determines that a website aimed at children should make clear which parts contain advertisements. In that case, there should be a warning that the service is part of a subscription. Also, the industry has created an opt-out possibility: the so-called SMSdienstenfilter”. Consumers can indicate which SMS services they don’t want to use. This way parents can make their children happy with a mobile phone, without receiving a huge phone bill later, if their children appear to have downloaded certain ringtones.
The advertising code for travel offers is not new, but it is revised on numerous points. The most significant change concerns the adaptation of the code to the European directive on unfair business-to-consumer commercial practices. Its aim is to make travel offers more transparent to consumers. For example, it is not allowed to communicate special offers for a one way trip, if in fact only a return ticket can be booked. Moreover, consumers should not be confronted with the word 'tax' if the service provider does not need to forward the levy to the authorities. Advertisements, posters, internet offers, radio and TV commercials should meet the new requirements of the revised Code immediately. A transition period is applicable to all printed travel brochures for summer 2009. These have to meet the conditions of the former code only.
Maud van der Leeuw
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office Emerald House Jozef Israëlskade 48-G Amsterdam, the Netherlands t +31 (0)20 - 305 3066 www.hoogenhaak.nl |
post PO Box 76780 1070 KB Amsterdam e info@hoogenhaak.nl f +31 (0)20 - 305 3069 chamber of commerce 34314579 |
On 1 April 2009 two new advertising codes entered into force: the SMS text services code and the revised Code for travel offers.
The main purpose of the long awaited SMS text services advertising code is to prevent deception of the public. The Code includes rules regarding how a SMS text service has to be communicated. For example commercial communications for a subscription service must contain information about the exact costs, how many SMS texts the service includes and where consumers can deposit their questions etc. Furthermore the Code includes a template for TV commercials and an example for online advertisements which the advertiser has to use. The new Code also determines that a website aimed at children should make clear which parts contain advertisements. In that case, there should be a warning that the service is part of a subscription. Also, the industry has created an opt-out possibility: the so-called SMSdienstenfilter”. Consumers can indicate which SMS services they don’t want to use. This way parents can make their children happy with a mobile phone, without receiving a huge phone bill later, if their children appear to have downloaded certain ringtones.
The advertising code for travel offers is not new, but it is revised on numerous points. The most significant change concerns the adaptation of the code to the European directive on unfair business-to-consumer commercial practices. Its aim is to make travel offers more transparent to consumers. For example, it is not allowed to communicate special offers for a one way trip, if in fact only a return ticket can be booked. Moreover, consumers should not be confronted with the word 'tax' if the service provider does not need to forward the levy to the authorities. Advertisements, posters, internet offers, radio and TV commercials should meet the new requirements of the revised Code immediately. A transition period is applicable to all printed travel brochures for summer 2009. These have to meet the conditions of the former code only.
Maud van der Leeuw