ASCI UPHOLDS COMPLAINTS AGAINST 200 ADVERTISEMENTS OUT OF 319
New Delhi, December 28th, 2017: In October 2017, ASCI’s Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) upheld complaints against 200 advertisements. A total of 319 cases were brought to ASCI’s notice and Suo Moto action was taken against 148 advertisements, and the rest being complaints through direct sources. Out of 200 advertisements against which complaints were upheld, 82 belonged to healthcare, 75 to education, 11 to personal care, eight to the food & beverages category and 24 from other categories.
Gross exaggeration of product efficacy was the number one reason for upholding complaints, followed by violation of the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act (DMR Act) and the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules (D&C Rules). The other reasons were failure to provide substantial facts and figures to support claims, and providing misleading and ambiguous information.
Among the various complaints, CCC observed that a prominent FMCG drug company was providing inadequate and misleading information on its products while promoting pimple free skin in their campaign. Similarly, an MNC had magnified information regarding the services provided to the public and its association with an international sports event. Both the claims were not substantiated with supporting data and were found to be inaccurate. Furthermore, claims by an online car rental service brand providing discounts and offers on its services were found to be misleading by omission of validity of the promotion period.
“Complaints against brands from various sectors have been upheld for not abiding by the codes of self-regulation put forth by ASCI. ASCI ensures protection to consumers against brands providing false and misleading information in their advertisements, and promotes honest messaging to protect the consumers’ interest. ASCI endeavours to provide transparency to both, the brands and consumers alike.” said Ms. Abanti Sankaranarayanan, Chairman, ASCI.
