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Broadcast Code

The UK Code of Broadcast Advertising (BCAP Code) applies to all advertisements (including teleshopping, content on self-promotional television channels, television text and interactive tv ads) and programme sponsorship credits on radio and television services licensed by Ofcom.

The Code is enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority, who can take steps to remove or have amended any ads that breach these rules.

Download a full PDF version of the Code:

The BCAP Code.pdf


Please remember that the Advertising Codes are kept up to date on a regular basis. If you plan to work from downloaded copies we strongly advise that you sign up to receive our newsletters, to make sure you’re aware of any changes.

You can also use our online version of the Codes, which helpfully links to Advertising Guidance and other relevant sections of the Code.

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  • Home
  • Codes and rulings
  • Advertising codes
  • Broadcast Code
  • Introduction

  • 01 Compliance

  • 02 Recognition of advertising

  • 03 Misleading advertising

  • 04 Harm and offence

  • 05 Children

  • 06 Privacy

  • 07 Political and controversial matters

  • 08 Distance selling

  • 09 Environmental claims

  • 10 Prohibited categories

  • 11 Medicines, medical devices, treatments and health

  • 12 Weight control and slimming

  • 13 Food, food supplements and associated health or nutrition claims

  • 14 Financial products, services and investments

  • 15 Faith, religion and equivalent systems of belief

  • 16 Charities

  • 17 Gambling

  • 18 Lotteries

  • 19 Alcohol

  • 20 Motoring

  • 21 Betting tipsters

  • 22 Premium-rate telephone services

  • 23 Telecommunications-based sexual entertainment services

  • 24 Homeworking schemes

  • 25 Instructional courses

  • 26 Services offering individual advice on consumer or personal problems

  • 27 Introduction and dating services

  • 28 Competitions

  • 29 Private investigation agencies

  • 30 Pornography

  • 31 Other categories of radio advertisements that require central copy clearance

  • 33 Electronic cigarettes

  • 32 Scheduling

  • Appendix 1 Statutory framework for the regulation of broadcast advertising

  • Appendix 2 Extracts from directive 89-552-EEC as amended (audiovisual media services directive)

  • Appendix 3 The CPRs and BPRs

Download the full BCAP Code PDF

1.67 MB

Download

 

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