ADV Regulations

The most widely empowered agency in government. It controls unfair methods of competition, regulates deceptive advertising, and has various programs for controlling the advertising process.

• Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)

The agency that prohibits obscenity, fraud, and lotteries on radio and television. Ultimate power lies in the ability to deny or revoke broadcast licenses.

• Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)

This agency regulates the advertising of food, drug, cosmetic, and medical products and can require special labeling for hazardous products such as household cleaners. Also, prohibits false labeling and packaging.

• Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)

This agency's most direct influence has been on regulation of advertising for alcoholic beverages. It's responsible for putting warning labels on alcoholic beverages and it has the power to determine what constitutes misleading advertising in these product areas.

• Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)

Regulates the advertising of securities and the disclosure of information in annual reports.

• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)

The agency responsible for regulating direct mail advertising and prohibiting lotteries, fraud, and misrepresentation.

• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• US Postal Service (USPS)
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)

An advertiser accused of running deceptive or unfair advertising agrees to stop running the advertisements in question, without admitting guilt.

• Consent order
• Corrective advertising
• Cease-and-desist order
• Affirmative disclosure

This requires that the questionable advertising be stopped within 30 days so that a hearing can be held to determine whether the advertising is deceptive or unfair.

• Consent order
• Corrective advertising
• Cease-and-desist order
• Affirmative disclosure

Most extensive corrective advertising action. A business may be required to create and run new ads in an attempt to dispel faulty beliefs.

• Consent order
• Corrective advertising
• Cease-and-desist order
• Affirmative disclosure

Requires that the important material absent from prior ads must be included in subsequent advertisements.

• Consent order
• Corrective advertising
• Cease-and-desist order
• Affirmative disclosure