What We Do

ASC helps to ensure the integrity and viability of advertising through industry self-regulation.

The Canadian Code of Advertising Standards

As Canada’s advertising self-regulatory body, we administer the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards (Code), the principal instrument of advertising self-regulation in Canada. The Code sets the criteria for acceptable advertising and forms the basis for the review and adjudication of consumer and trade complaints. Learn more about the Code.

Consumer Complaints Process

An effective consumer response mechanism is essential to fostering public confidence in advertising. On industry’s behalf, we administer a consumer complaints process about advertisements currently running in Canadian media. Complaints that raise a potential issue under the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards are reviewed by independent, national and regional volunteer Consumer Response Councils.

Learn more, see Consumer Complaints Procedure.

Advertising Preclearance

Through ASC Clearance Services, we provide an effective and efficient fee-based advertising review mechanism for advertising in five regulated categories: children’s, food and non-alcoholic beverages, alcoholic beverages, consumer drugs, and cosmetics. Advertising preclearance helps ensure advertisements meet specific legislative, regulatory and/or sectoral industry guideline requirements.

To learn more about preclearance, visit the ASC Clearance Services website.