The Codes

The Advertising Codes lay down rules for advertisers and media owners to follow. They include general rules that state advertising must be responsible, must not mislead, or offend, and specific rules that cover advertising to children and ads for alcohol, gambling, motoring, health and financial products.

Key principles

This section explains the key principles behind both the CAP Code (UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing), and the BCAP Code (The UK Code of Broadcast Advertising).

CAP Code

This 12th edition of The UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing came into force on 1 September 2010. It replaces all other editions. This Code relates to non-broadcast ads only.

BCAP Code

This first edition of the BCAP Code came into force on 1 September 2010. It replaces the four previous
separate BCAP Codes for broadcast advertising.

Industry zone

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Industry Zone

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Updated Advice and Guidance Notes

We have updated our guidance to help you comply with the new Advertising Codes. Visit this section for self-help tools and contact details for Copy Advice.

Advice and guidance notes

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?

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