Don’t release new ads without self-declaration certificate post June 18: ASCI to members

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has clarified that it has asked its members or others not to issue any new advertisement without a self-declaration certificate (SDC) from June 18 onwards.

The Council refuted a news item that had appeared in a section of the media, wherein it was said to have urged advertisers and broadcasters not to release new ads between June 18 and July 9, till there was clarity from the Supreme Court on the SDC mandate.

In a statement issued, Manisha Kapoor, CEO & Secretary General, ASCI, said, “This has reference to certain news item which appeared in media today stating that ASCI has asked its members and other advertisers not to release advertisement post June 18 till July 9th and await for Supreme Court’s clarification on the self-declaration certificate. ASCI would like to clarify that it has asked its members or others not to issue any new advertisement WITHOUT a self-declaration certificate (SDC).”

Kapoor maintained, “Any new ad post June 18th can be released with the SDC as mandated by the Supreme Court and as notified by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB).”

Marketers and agency professionals have expressed concerns about the Supreme Court's mandate for a self-declaration certificate, which requires all advertisements to secure an SDC before being released to the public, irrespective of the medium.