2017

  • EASA’s 25th Anniversary.
  • EASA has a network of 41 organisations representing 27 SROs from Europe and 14 organisations representing the advertising ecosystem (the advertisers, agencies and the media).

2016

  • Stéphane Martin takes over as EASA Chairperson.
  • Lucas Boudet is the new Director General of EASA.
  • The new International Council on Ad Self-Regulation, ICAS is launched, under the Chairmanship of José Domingo Gómez Castallo (Autocontrol). ICAS is now a full-fledged structure bringing together members from across the globe and extending to the United Stated with the U.S. Advertising Self-Regulatory Council.
  • Launch of new EASA website.
  • EU Commission recognises the role and effectiveness of advertising self-regulation in the Report on Cosmetics Regulation.
  • EU studies for REFIT and Impact assessment of AVMSD recognise the role and effectiveness of advertising self-regulation.
  • Reference to effective SR and CR expanded in Commission proposal on AVMSD.
  • First Cosmetics Advertising monitoring workshop.

2015

  • “Ad Self-Regulation is Better Regulation” is published.
  • Updated Best Practice Recommendation on Digital Marketing Communications launched.
  • EASA welcomes Commission’s better regulation communication and intention to “consider both regulatory and well-designed non-regulatory means” as part of its Better Regulation Agenda.
  • Self and Co-Regulation to be considered as part of the EU Regulatory toolbox options.
  • EASA moves from Rue de la Pepiniere to larger premises at current location, Rue des Deux Eglises.
  • EASA is involved in establishing criteria for environmental claims.
  • EU publishes Environmental Claims Report supporting self-regulation as an effective instrument.
  • EASA is involved in EU Commission consultations on revision of Consumer aquis.
  • EASA coordinates Cosmetics Europe advertising monitoring.

2014

  • El Salvador (CNP) becomes a corresponding member.
  • The work in the APEC region leads to heads of state recognising the benefits of advetising self-regulation.
  • OECD study recognises the benefits of effective advertising self-regulation based on EASA case study to ICC.
  • ICC Framework for Responsible Marketing Communications of Alcohol is launched.
  • EU issues “The Principles for Better Self-and Co-Regulation” inspired from EASA Charter and Advertising Roundtable, to guide the work in Commission’s Community of Practice on Better Co- and Self- Regulation.
  • EASA participates in multi-stakeholder discussions and drafting of recommendations for environmental claims.
  • “International Guide to Developing an SRO” is revised.
  • 11th Annual Best Practice Awards – winner: the ASCI SRO (India).

2013

  • Guy Parker (ASA) takes over as EASA Chairperson.
  • Colombia (CONARP) and Mexico (CONAR) become corresponding members.
  • EU Commission’s Community of Practice on Better Co- and Self- Regulation is launched – EASA representatives are invited to sit on the Steering Group.
  • EASA, Ethics and Education: 3E project launches and EDU taskforce is established.
  • EASA carries out Gap Analysis project for Cosmetics Europe.
  • 10th annual Best Practice Awards – winner: the Clearcast SRO (UK); the ASB SRO (Australia) receives outstanding achievement award for their work with APEC.

2012

  • EASA’s 20th Anniversary.
  • Robert Madelin announces at EASA Gala Dinner his idea for an EU initiative to recognise and encourage the benefits effective self-regulation.
  • Advertising: we care! – EASA conference on the critical role of responsible advertising in empowering consumer choice and its effect on economic growth.
  • Revised ICC Framework for Responsible Food and Beverage Marketing Communications launched.
  • The EDAA – European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance – launched to increase transparency, choice and control for consumers for online behavioural advertising.
  • 9th annual Best Practice Awards – winner: the AUTOCONTROL SRO (Spain).

2011

  • Publication of “EASA Best Practice Recommendation on Online Behavioural Advertising”.
  • Publication of updated ICC Consolidated Code with specific chapter on digital marketing communications and online behavioural advertising.
  • Update report on Charter Best Practice commitments & 10 additional commitments to European Commission.
  • EASA monitoring of food brand websites.
  • EASA Workshop on identifying commercial communications in online platforms.
  • 8th EASA annual Best Practice Awards – winner: the ARPP SRO (France).

2010

  • SRO set up in Cyprus (CARO).
  • Training of Cypriot SRO Jury members.
  • Workshop on food advertising monitoring and member workshop on Internet based advertising.
  • 3E Education Module under development.
  • Independent implementation review by EASA of commitment by Brewers of Europe on 7 Operational Standards for beer advertising codes across Europe
  • EASA coordinates monitoring of food brand websites (8 countries, 87% compliance).
  • Publication of 6th edition of the EASA Blue Book.
  • 7th EASA annual Best Practice Awards – winner: the ASA / CAP / BCAP SRO (UK).

2009

  • Ildikó Fazekas (ÖRT) takes over as EASA Chairperson.
  • SRO set up in Bulgaria (NCSR).
  • Swedish SRO re-launched as Reklamombudsmannen (Ro).
  • SRO in Luxembourg (CLEP) re-launched.
  • Launch of European Copy Advice facility, www.ad-advice.org.
  • Update report on Charter Best Practice commitments to European Commission & launch of 10 additional target commitments.
  • Launch of mini websites on Digital Marketing Communications, Sustainability Claims and Education.
  • Publication of Best Practice Recommendation on Standards of Service.
  • Publication of EASA International Guide to developing a self-regulatory organisation.
  • EASA coordinates monitoring of spirit brand websites (13 countries, 93% compliance).
  • EASA coordinates monitoring of advertising for food products & non-alcoholic beverages (4 months period, 98% compliance).
  • 6th EASA annual Best Practice Awards – winner: the RPR  SRO (Slovakia).

2008

  • Launch of International Council on Advertising Self-regulation (ICAS).
  • Publication of “Digital Marketing Communications Best Practice”.
  • Launch of new EASA website.
  • Monitoring of alcohol advertising coordinated by EASA (3 -month period, 94% compliance).
  • Monitoring of food product advertising coordinated by EASA (3 months period, 96% compliance).
  • 5th EASA annual Best Practice Awards – winner: the JEP SRO (Belgium).

2007

  • Reporting back on Charter Best Practice commitments to European Commission.
  • Publication of “Best Practice Recommendation on Communications and Awareness”.
  • EASA participation in key German presidency event in Leipzig, concerning the potential of effective Self and Co-Regulation.
  • European Alcohol and Health Forum launched. EASA involved over the next years in reporting on evidence on compliance via ad self-regulation and monitoring.
  • Commissioner Meglena Kuneva states: “SR today has a truly European dimension thanks to the work that has been carried out by EASA over the years”.
  • Adoption of AVMS Directive with clear reference to advertising self-regulation as a policy option.
  • Monitoring of food product advertising coordinated by EASA (3-month period, 97% compliance).
  • Publication of 5th edition of the EASA Blue Book.
  • 4th EASA annual Best Practice Awards – winner:  the ASAI SRO (Ireland).

2006

  • Re-launch of SRO in Poland (RR).
  • Australia (ASB) and Brazil (CONAR) become corresponding members.
  • EASA helps coordinate major revision and consolidation of ICC code of Advertising Practice to include Marketing Communications. ICC publishes new Consolidated ICC “Code of Marketing Communication Practice”.
  • EASA participates in EU Advertising Roundtable chaired by DG Sanco Director General, Robert Madelin, which results in the publication of a report endorsing best practice self-regulation based on the EASA Charter approach.
  • Robert Madelin states: “…the willingness of EASA, and all others involved in the debate to explore what a strategic improvement in SR quality might involve, does create some confidence that SR is capable of a sustained move over time towards a level of heightened effectiveness.”
  • Publication of Best Practice Recommendation on Code Drafting & Consultation.
  • Monitoring of food products advertising, coordinated by EASA over 12-month period, shows 95.6% compliance.
  • 3rd EASA annual Best Practice Awards – winner: the SRC SRO (Netherlands).

2005

  • SRO set up in Lithuania (LRB).
  • Jean Pierre-Teyssier (BVP) takes over as EASA Chairperson.
  • Publication of the “EASA White Paper”, outlining EASA’s commitments to extend self-regulation across the Single Market and including background information on the EASA Charter.
  • EU Advertising Round Table continued.
  • EASA roadshows in Romania, Greece and France.
  • Publication of Best Practice Recommendation on Publication of SRO Jury Decisions, on Jury Composition, on Complaints Handling, on Monitoring of Advertising;
  • EU platform for action on diet, physical activity and health is launched. EASA will be involved over the next years in reporting on evidence on compliance via ad self-regulation and monitoring.
  • Publication of 4th edition of the EASA Blue Book.
  • 2nd EASA annual Best Practice Awards – winner: the ASASA SRO (South Africa).

2004

  • Formal signing of EASA SR Charter, based on the “EASA Best Practice Model of Advertising Self-Regulation” issued in the same year.
  • 10 Best Practice Commitments & Get-Fit Programme launched, to encourage all SROs to adopt best practice recommendations in the way best suited to the regulatory framework in which they operate.
  • First EU Advertising Round Table.
  • 1st ICC Framework for Responsible Food and Beverage Marketing Communications issued
  • EASA SR roadshows in Ireland, Poland, Greece, Turkey, Czech Republic and Lithuania (incl representatives from Latvia and Estonia).
  • 2nd EASA monitoring project – alcohol advertisements over a period of 9 months
  • Launch of the EASA Annual Best Practice Awards (recognising the work that the SRO members have done in promoting self-regulation and implementing EASA’s Best Practice Recommendations and Charter).Winner: the ROK SRO (Turkey).

2003

  • Re-launch of Greek SRO (SEE).
  • Christopher Graham (ASA) takes over as EASA Chairperson.
  • Over 1000 cases have been processed so far by the EASA cross-border complaints system.
  • A new publication, “Advertising SR – The Essentials” is launched.
  • EASA roadshows in Spain, the Netherlands, Austria and Hungary, bringing together key sectors of the advertising industry to gather support and credibility for national SR systems.
  • Publication of: Best Practice Recommendation on Confidentiality of the Complainant’s Identity, on Copy Advice, on Substantiation of Claims
  • EASA coordinates its 1st monitoring of alcohol advertisements over a 3-month period.

2002

  • Re-launch of the EASA website as an SR portal including the first on-line cross-border complaint (CBC) form.
  • EASA Statement of Common Principles and Operating Standards of Best Practice agreed.
  • EASA provides convincing evidence of the effectiveness of advertising self-regulation in response to challenge by EU Commissioner Byrne for more responsibility or further restrictions needed.
  • Publication of 3rd edition of the EASA Blue Book.

2001

  • EASA is re-structured with membership composed half of SROs and half of advertising industry associations and the new EASA is born as the single voice of the industry on advertising self-regulation.
  • Formal launch of Finnish SRO (LTL). 

2000

  • José Domingo Gómez Castallo (Autocontrol) becomes the 6th EASA Chairperson.
  • EU adopts the E-Commerce Directive, as well as the Distance Selling and Comparative Advertising Directives, to which EASA had contributed a submission and the results of a survey.
  • The E-commerce Directive contained a reference to self-regulation and the country of origin principle.
  • EASA survey on comparative advertising.

1999

  • SROs set up in Romania (RAC) and Russia.
  • The EU Council publishes the results of a public consultation on the “Convergence Green Paper” and the role of self-regulation for new media services, in which self-regulation was recognised as an effective alternative to legislation.
  • The follow-up to the Green Paper on Commercial Communications also recognised EASA’s efforts to establish an effective cross-border complaints system based on the country of origin principle.  
  • “Self-regulation in the Media Sector” – an EU seminar on advertising self-regulation, organised in Saarbrücken, helps to formalise the status of advertising self-regulation as a valid policy option
  • EASA survey on motor vehicle advertising.

1998

  • Sir Leon Brittan acknowledges that EASA’s work has “created a real reduction in the perceived need within the Commission for legislative intervention in this area”.
  • Plans are made for the extension of self-regulation across Europe and the examination of the differences between national codes in light of the Single Market.
  • A report is subsequently issued, highlighting that the biggest differences in national codes derived from the legal situation in each country.

1997

Timeline Heading

  • EASA has 25 SROs member in 22 EU countries.
  • Prisca Ancion-Kors (SRC) assumes the EASA chairmanship.
  • 2nd Corsendonck Conference on Advertising Self-Regulation endorses EASA’s progress and achievements.
  • Industry study on barriers to trade establishes in advertising biggest differences arise from national legislation, not self-regulation.

1996

  • SROs set up in Hungary (ORT) and Luxembourg (CLEP).
  • SROs from South Africa (ASASA) and New Zealand (ASA NZ) become first international corresponding members.
  • Christopher Ogden (ASA) replaces Lucien Bouis as EASA’s Chairperson.
  • 1st EASA survey on the portrayal of men and women in advertising.

1995

  • SRO set up in Slovak Republic (RPR).
  • Publication of “EASA guide to Setting up an SRO”.
  • Launch of Euro Ad-Alert system, to alert the advertising professionals, consumer organisations and relevant institutions about cross-border cases where there was evidence of sharp or illegal malpractice.
  • EASA survey on children and advertising.

1994

  • SROs set up in Czech Republic (RPR), Slovenia (SOZ) and Turkey (RÖK).
  • Lucien Bouis (BVP) assumes the EASA chairmanship.
  • EASA’snewsletter ‘Alliance Update’ is launched.
  • 2nd edition of the EASA Blue Book – Advertising Self-Regulation in Europe – published.
  • EASA establishes first permanent offices at rue de la Pepiniere, Brussels.

1993

  • First fulltime EASA DG, Oliver Gray hired.
  • Noel McMahon (ASAI) is EASA’s 2nd Chairperson.
  • EU Commission conducts consultations on and publishes “Green Paper on Commercial Communications” which recognises the role of self-regulation in a Single Market.
  • EASA becomes an observer member of the International Chamber of Commerce Marketing Commission.
  • EASA operates out of offices of the European Advertising tripartite (EAT).

1992

Timeline Heading

  • EASA officially launched with 15 SRO members from 13 European countries.
  • Georg Wronka is EASA’s first Chairperson and Geoffrey Draughn is acting Director General.
  • Launch of cross-border complaints system and publication of first cross-border complaints reports.
  • Publication of Advertising and Self-Regulation – the first edition of what will become the EASA Blue Book.

1991

  • EU Vice-President and Commissioner for Competition Policy, Sir Leon Brittan, challenges the advertising industry to seek a self-regulatory solution to problems raised by the creation of the Single Market.
  • First Corsendonk Conference: advertising industry representatives from all over Europe agree to set up an independent coordinating body to bring together existing national SROs, under the name European Advertising Standards Alliance / Alliance Européenne pour l’Ethique en Publicité.  Its mission is to promote self-regulation and to demonstrate that, within a legal framework, it is a more effective way of regulating advertising than detailed legislation.