The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) – the regulatory body operating under the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) – and the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) have joined forces to enhance the enforcement of advertising regulations and create greater deterrence against unfair and illegal practices, including misleading advertisements, influencer guidelines and greenwashing.
As part of this collaboration, the CCPA has requested that the ASCI forward any non-compliant advertisements violating the ASCI’s code to the CCPA for appropriate action. Any cases related to misleading advertisements flagged by the ASCI will be promptly addressed in accordance with the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Rohit Kumar Singh, secretary of the DoCA, emphasised the importance of regulatory bodies working in tandem effectively to address new challenges in advertising. With the powers vested in the CCPA, including fines and penalties for non-compliance, the collaboration between the CCPA and the ASCI will pave the way for stringent enforcement of consumer protection laws, trade analysts say.
The ASCI, established in 1985, campaigns for self-regulation in advertising, ensuring ads adhere to legal and ethical standards to protect consumer interests.
