European Advertising Standards Alliance

The European Advertising Standards Alliance (EASA) is a European body based in Brussels that supports self-regulation for the advertising industry.

The EASA describes itself as

the single authoritative voice on advertising self-regulation issues and promotes high ethical standards in commercial communications by means of effective self-regulation, while being mindful of national differences of culture, legal and commercial practice. As a non-profit organisation based in Brussels, it brings together national advertising self-regulatory organisations (SROs) and organisations representing the advertising industry in Europe.

EASA says it "promotes responsible advertising by providing detailed guidance on how to go about advertising self-regulation across the Single Market for the benefit of consumers and businesses."

The EASA works together with the European Association of Communications Agencies (EACA), which in turn works to shape the European Commission's policy making.

History

The European Advertising Standards Alliance (EASA) was set up in 1992, as a response to a challenge to the advertising industry made by Sir Leon Brittan, who was at this time the Competition Commissioner in the European Union.

The EASA website states:

In June 1991 Sir Leon Brittan, then Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for competition policy, challenged the advertising industry to consider ways of solving problems raised by the creation of the Single Market by means of self-regulation, already well-established in some Member States, thus avoiding the need for detailed legislation, which was overwhelmingly opposed by the industry.

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