CONARs

CONARs, or Commercial Advertising Standards Council, is the self-regulatory body for advertising in India. Established in 1985, it functions as an independent organization with the objective of ensuring that advertisements are truthful, decent, and not misleading, thereby protecting the public from unfair practices and promoting fair competition among advertisers. CONARs operates on a code of conduct, the ASCI Code for Self-Regulation in Advertising, which covers various aspects of advertising, including claims, decency, and social responsibility.

Any consumer or advertiser can file a complaint with CONARs if they believe an advertisement violates the code. The organization's Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) then reviews these complaints. The CCC comprises distinguished individuals from various fields, including consumer advocacy, advertising, and industry. If the CCC finds an advertisement to be in violation of the code, it issues a self-regulatory decision. While CONARs has no statutory powers, its recommendations are generally adhered to by advertisers and advertising agencies, as non-compliance can lead to negative publicity and potential legal action by government bodies if warranted. The organization plays a crucial role in maintaining ethical standards in the Indian advertising industry.