About us

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Admired around the world for its creativity, the UK advertising industry sets the standard in successful self-regulation. Our industry is governed by codes of practice that are designed to protect consumers and create a level playing field for advertisers.

The Codes are the responsibility of two industry Committees - the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) and are independently administered by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

 Andrew Brown, Chairman of CAP and BCAP

Chairman's introduction

Read our chairman's introduction to CAP and BCAP.  

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Regulatory system at a glance

The UK advertising industry is respected and emulated around the world, not only for its creativity and effectiveness, but also for the well-established system of self-imposed controls it has developed for advertising. Visit this section for more information on how the regulatory system works and what are the benefits of self-regulation. 

 CAP  Non-broadcast logo

CAP (non-brodcast)

The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) was set up in order to regulate non-broadcast advertising. Find out more about CAP's role, CAP members and relevant industry panels - Sales Promotion and Direct Response Panel (SPDRP) and the General Media Panel (GMP).

CAP Broadcast logo 

BCAP (broadcast)

The Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) is responsible for writing and reviewing the broadcast advertising Codes. Find out more about BCAP's role, BCAP members and industry panels - Sales Promotion and Direct Response Panel (SPDRP) and the General Media Panel (GMP). 

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Our team

The Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP and BCAP) are supported in their work by the Advertising Policy and Practice team that sits within the overall structure of the ‘ASA system’ for UK advertising regulation. Find out more about the team's responsibilities and meet the senior management.

 ASA Annual report front cover

Annual report

The section offers the latest Annual Report summarising our and ASA's work and you can also download copies of our past Annual Reports. 

Industry zone

A secure zone for CAP and BCAP panel members and Ad Alerts subscribers.

Industry Zone

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Hard copies of the new Advertising Codes

Order your hard copy of the new CAP and BCAP Codes.

How to order

Watch new Advertising Codes seminar

Watch the recording of one of the General Overview of the new Advertising Codes training seminar. All you have to do is login or sign up to CAP Services if you are not already a registered user.

Watch the webcast

FAQs

Have you got a question about CAP and BCAP and how the system works?

Visit FAQs section

Update@cap

Our quarterly newsletter is a key resource to help you keep up to date. Sign up to keep informed.

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