Consumer-ASCI

If Consumers see an Advertisement which they consider misleading or offensive, they should write to The Advertising Standards Council of India.Complaints received from the general public should be in the prescribed format providing relevant particulars including clipping or copy of print Ad/promotion material / timing, date and channels of TVC broadcast.

However, in order to facilitate the General Public making complaints, the secretariat will not insist on accepting complaints in the prescribed format or requiring a copy of the clipping as long as details of product / service, publication / channel / location, date / time and nature of complaint is clearly stated. The Secretariat using services of ad tracking agency will collect the ad in case person from General Public is not able to furnish clipping, etc. The Secretariat will accept telephonic complaints also as is done by SRO’s outside of India. It will confirm and verify the complaints by writing to the party concerned when complaint is made orally.

A single complaint alleging that an advertisement is misleading or offensive is usually enough to require the Advertiser to correct the Advertisement.

On receipt of a complaint (should be complete with relevant particulars including clipping or copy of print Ad/promotion material provided by complainant), the Secretariat will acknowledge the complaint and request the advertiser / agency to provide comments / response in respect of the complaint.

Both the Advertiser and the complainant are advised of the decision of the Consumer Complaints Council.