UPDATE – False and Misleading Claims Unlawful

Franchisors, Directors, business proprietors and ‘caretakers’ have a responsibility not to make false or misleading statements or claims. It is a criminal offence for anyone who offers a service to make a statement that they know to be false or misleading in some way. It is also an offence to ‘recklessly’ make a false or misleading statement about the nature of any services (or goods) they provide.

False and misleading claims and statements can be reported to the following international Governing Advertising bodies and Medical Associations.   

1. AUSTRALIA - Advertising Standards Bureau (ASB)
http://svc003.wic046p.server-web.com/pages/index.asp 

• ASB Complaints form
  http://www.adstandards.com.au/pages/screening.asp
• Australia’s Weight Management Industry Code of Practice
  http://www.weightcouncil.org/browse.asp?page=349#Advertising
• Copy of Weight Management Code
  http://www.weightcouncil.org/images/code0805.pdf
• Australian Medical Association
  http://www.ama.com.au/

2. CANADA - Advertising Standards Canada (ASC)
http://www.adstandards.com/en/

• ASC Complaints form
  http://www.adstandards.com/en/Standards/consumerSubmission.asp
• Canadian Medical Association (CMA)
  http://www.cma.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/43892/la_id/1.htm

 3. NEW ZEALAND - Advertising Standards Authority (ASA)
http://www.asa.co.nz/ 

• ASA Complaints form
  http://www.asa.co.nz/complaint_form.php
• New Zealand Medical Association
  http://www.nzma.org.nz/index.html

 4. SOUTH AFRCIA - Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa (ASA)
http://www.asasa.org.za/Default.aspx?mnu_id=95 

• ASA Complaints form
  http://www.asasa.org.za/Complaint.aspx 
• South Africa Medical Association
  http://www.samedical.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2&Itemid=98

5. UNITED KINGDOM - Advertising Standards Authority (ASA)
http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/ 

• ASA Complaints form
  http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/how_to_complain/complaints_form/
   
• As from 28 May 2008, The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 makes it a criminal offence to mislead consumers about goods and services. It’s a criminal offence for anyone who offers a service to make a statement that they know to be false or misleading in some way. http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/pdf/uksi_20081277_en.pdf
• UK Advertising  
  http://www.oft.gov.uk/advice_and_resources/small_businesses/advertising/
• Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations 2008
  http://www.oft.gov.uk/advice_and_resources/small_businesses/advertising/business-protection
• British Medical Association
  http://www.bma.org.uk/

Check out:
SureSlim – Published Medical Claims 
http://sureslies.wordpress.com/sureslim-in-the-media/