Most complaints received by ABC are made by ABC members about other ABC members and relate to the use, or misuse of the ABC logo, ABC certified figures or other data. However it is open to anyone involved in the buying or selling of advertising to notify ABC of possible infringements by an ABC member.
If you feel an ABC member has infringed the ABC Reporting Standards or Byelaws you may inform us and we will look into your complaint. (Section 3 of the byelaws deals with publicity issues and section 12 the official complaints process for ABC members).
All official complaints to ABC by ABC members should be made in writing using the notification of complaint form and be accompanied by the relevant document or article which is the subject of the complaint. If you would like a Word version of the complaint form please email your request to abcpost@abc.org.uk.
For reasons of transparency and openness, the complainant is identified through the official complaints process. ABC also has the right to raise official complaints.
We would also like to hear from you if you have a complaint against a media owner which is not a member of ABC who you feel is misrepresenting ABC or ABC data.
Details of upheld official complaints concerning ABC members are published on the ABC website and via the eAlerts notifications. Complaints that are not upheld remain confidential. Click here to view upheld complaints.
What happens after you've made a complaint?
Below is a summary of the official complaints procedure applicable to ABC members - please refer to section 12 of the Byelaws for the full procedure.
