Procedure descriptions
Submit a complaint due to offensive advertising
You can complain about offensive advertising to the German Advertising Council.
Responsible department
The German Advertising Council.
It is a self-regulatory organisation of the German advertising industry.
You can appeal to it in the event of violations of voluntary advertising codes.
Note: In the event of violations of statutory provisions, the German Advertising Council cooperates with the competent authorities and forwards the complaint if necessary.
Details
Prerequisite
An advertising measure by a company is harmful to young people, discriminatory or offensive in any other way.
The German Advertising Council is not responsible for advertising by political parties, churches, foundations, associations or non-governmental organisations.
Procedure
You can complain to the German Advertising Council.
You can do this by
- By letter
- By fax
- By e-mail
- Complaint form
- Complaints can also be made by telephone.
Enclose the criticised advertising motif or a description of it with your complaint.
You must give reasons why you find the motif discriminatory, harmful to minors or offensive in any other way.
Please note: Always state your name in your complaint. The German Advertising Council does not process anonymous complaints.
The name of the complainant will be treated confidentially unless he or she agrees to be named. If an organisation or institution is the complainant and does not expressly request confidential treatment, the Advertising Council may disclose its name to the other parties involved in the proceedings.
If the German Advertising Council considers your complaint to be justified after examination, it will contact the company responsible for the advertising measure.
If the company is not prepared to change or discontinue the advertising measure, the Advertising Council can issue a reprimand and publish it.
Note: A reprimand issued by the German Advertising Council is not associated with any further sanctions (e.g. a fine). However, it is considered to be damaging to the company's image.
Deadlines
none
Required documents
- Specification of the criticised advertising, stating the advertising medium (e.g. advertisement, poster, TV spot, online advertising and similar)
- Reasons for the complaint, if applicable with reference to a violation of the guidelines of the German Advertising Council
- in the case of an advert: the original advert, a copy or a scanned file
- in the case of a poster: the advertising motif as a photograph or photo file
- for a TV or radio advert: Details of the station and the date and time of broadcast
- for online advertising: if possible, a screenshot (screen shot)
Costs
none
Processing time
Most cases can be concluded within a few days.
According to the German Advertising Council, the average duration of proceedings is around ten working days.
Miscellaneous
The German Advertising Council acts on the basis of voluntary self-regulation.
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Ministerium für Ernährung, Ländlichen Raum und Verbraucherschutz Baden-Württemberg, 11.09.2024