Vetting Requirement
Monitoring
Vetting Procedure
Membership
Political Advertising
Legislation
Synopsis of Nig. Code of Advertising
 
 

 

 

OUTSTANDING SEMINAR FOR 2007

 
Vetting Guidelines
REQUIREMENTS

A formal application for vetting should be sent to:
       The Chairman,
       Advertising Standards Panel,
       APCON House, National Theatre Annexe,
       Iganmu, Lagos.
       Tel: 01-7733308 or 0802-3066472, 0803-3152397, 0802-3371819

  1. Forms 001 and 002 filled and duly signed by registered practitioner not below the Associate Membership category (arpa), quoting his/her APCON Registration number.
  2. Product's NAFDAC Certificate or payment advice must be attached where applicable.
  3. The Client's Letter of Authorisation to advertise the products/services should also be attached.
  4. Material/materials being submitted (TV, Radio, Press, Outdoors) should be included.
  5. Product samples (one carton not less that 12 pieces) must be supplied, where applicable.
  6. Evidence must be produced to show that the product has been duly registered with the appropriate government agency.
.Materials for vetting should include the following:
  1. Television Commercials
      To avoid unnecessary cost, applicants are advised to forward scripts/storyboards (in colour) for approval before production. Final production on VHS format PAL system of CD must be submitted for final approval and the issuance of the ASP's approval certificate before being aired.
  2. Radio Commercials
      Scripts or scripts/recording
      Final recording must be approved before being aired.
  3. Print/Outdoor Advertisements
      Professionally produced copy/layout, in colour only.
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VETTING PROCEDURE

  1. Applications are made by the advertising practitioner seeking clearance to advertise products/services.
  2. Such applications with all relevant documents are sent to the Chairman, Advertising Standards Panel, APCON, wh acknowledges receipt of same.
  3. The Advertising Standards Panel meets once every month, turn-around time, therefore, for an application should be within one month.
  4. However, a request may be made for an accelerated vetting of advertisements. This request may be honoured prov applicant takes full responsibility for such an emergency meeting.
  5. A formal letter notifying the applicant of the status of the application will be sent.
  6. No advertisement should be exposed UNLESS a written approval from the Advertising Standards Panel, signed by the Chairman, Advertising Standards Panel has been received by the applicant.
  7. Where requests duly made to advertise have been refused or denied an applicant, such an applicant may appeal to the governing council of APCON. Such an appeal should be addressed to the Registrar, APCON, stating ground(s) of appeal.
  8. Approval to advertise could be revoked by the Advertising Standards Panel, at any time after it has been granted, if in the opinion of the Standards Panel conditions for such an approval have been violated, altered or changed in any way or if new facts emerge to affect the validity or clear authenticity of earlier data/claims submitted by the applicant.
  9. All approvals will be coded and the codes shall be so reflected on all advertising materials, especially print/television.

Vetting Fees
The approved fees are as follows:

  • TV Commercial: Ten Thousand Naira (N10,000) only per commercial
  • Radio Commercial Ten Thousand Naira(N10,000) only per commercial
  • Print/Outdoor Advertisement Ten Thousand Naira (N10,000) only per advertisement
  • Accelerated/Emergency: N60,000 (excluding the normal fees above)

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MONITORING

APCON has a monitoring unit within the Secretariat, and uses the services of a media monitoring agency. In addition, members of the Advertising Standards Panel and APCON members provide back-up monitoring service to ensure that advertising agencies, manufacturers and media organizations conform to the guidelines and other laws of Nigeria as well as codes of standards and practice.

Members of the public are especially encouraged to report cases of unwholesome advertisements.

Media organisations are adviced to adhere to scheduling restricts and not accept pertinent advertisements that have not been duly vetted and issued with a certificate of Approval by the Advertising Standard Panel (ASP).

Such an approval would be in a form of certificate of Approval duly signed by the Chairman, Advertising Standards Panel (ASP)

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MEMBERSHIP


As a statutory, standing committee of APCON, a Federal government regulatory agency set up to control advertising in all its aspects and ramifications (Act 55 of 1988 as revised by Act 93 of 1992), the ASP will administer the industry's system of self-regulation.

In addition to the statutory provision of 20 representative members from sundry organisations/groups as listed on above, person(s) from relevant professional groups or on individual merit whose knowledge is/are deemed relevant to the functions of the panel may be co-opted to the ASP.

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POLITICAL ADVERTISING

  1. Pre-exposure Vetting
    All political advertising materials shall be presented to the Advertising Standards Panel for the mandatory pre-exposure vetting and approval.
    Media houses shall not expose any political advertising material without the Certificate of Approval of the ASP
  2. Truth
    Political advertisements shall not be deceptive or misleading in word, illustration, photograph, film or sound.
  3. False Claims
    Political advertisements shall be issue-oriented and devoid of abusive statements or references. They shall not employ fake, distorted or unsubstantiated claims, or contain misrepresentations.
  4. Advertisers' Identity
    Every political advertisement must clearly identify the sponsoring organisation or individual, visually and/ and or orally.
  5. Sectional Interests
    Political advertisements shall not explicitly or implicitly exploit ethnicity, religion or any other sectional interests. Back to Top

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    LEGISLATION

    Businesses have primary responsibility for ensuring that everything they do is legal. General laws relating to contracts, negligence, libel and intellectual property should also be observed by all concerned.

    The following statutes and regulations affecting advertising and promotions are not exhaustive:

    • Act 55 of 1988 as amended by Act 93 of 1992.
    • Code of Advertising Practice and Sales Promotions (as amended 1997). The oath of Advetising practice AAAN's Code of Standards & Practice for Ad Agencies.
    • National Drug Formulary & Essential Drugs list Decree 43 of 1989. OAAN Constitution, Rules and Codes of Practice (as amended)
    • National Broadcasting Commission Code, Chap. Four on ADVERTISING.
    • APCON's Guidelines on the Advertising of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco Products in Nigeria.
    • Act 19 of 27th Jan. 1993, Drugs & Related Products (Registration etc.)
    • Act 66 of 23rd Nov. 1992, Consumer Protection Council, Act.

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    SYNOPSIS OF THE NIGERIA CODE OF ADVERTISING PRACTICE
    (3rd Edition)

    The Nigerian Code of Advertising Practice is in six parts:

    • Part one deals with citation, that is cited as the Nigerian Code of Advertising Practice and Sales Promotion, the responsibilities of APCON, its statutory committees, sectorial associations, statutory sector Regulators, Application and commencement date.
    • In Part Two (2) we have the meaning of advertising, advertising as a profession, advertising Practitioner and advertisement. And also what the essence of good advertising is.
    • Part Three (3) talks about the administration of the Code.
    • Part Four (4) takes care Good taste, Approval, S and Distress. Safety, Endorsement, Genuineness,Copyright, Privacy, Presentations and Claims, Special provisions - Alcoholic beverages, To Direct media buying Responsibilities of Med political advertising, practice, Foods, Cosmetics, Children Mail order, Direct sale, Financial and Related services, Religious and Related services and Telecommunications products and service.
    • Part Five (5) focuses on Sales promotion of all categories, general guidelines - children and young people, Protection of privacy, Integrity, Terms of Offer Presentation, Promotional products, suitability, Exaggeration, Supervision, Availability of promotional products, and safety.
    • While Part six (6) takes care of Violations, Penalties and Appeals.

      The code is available for sale in all APCON offices and outlets.

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