The Incorporated Society of British Advertisers (ISBA) has accused
the government of rushing through unnecessary changes to legislation
that could undermine UK advertisers' self-regulation.
The OFT is currently the only organisation with the power to issue
injunctions forcing advertisers to remove advertising.
But the government is this week set to incorporate an EU consumer
protection directive into UK law that will let the Department of Trade
and Industry empower other consumer protection bodies to issue such
injunctions.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has received assurances from
DTI secretary Stephen Byers that the government has no plans to change
the current system of self-regulation.
But ISBA director of public affairs Ian Twinn believes the government
has paved the way for future governments to undermine the ASA's
role.
The ASA and Advertising Association have also added their voices in
concern over the new legislation
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