ABC Standards

ABC data is trusted because it’s audited to our industry agreed standards.

These standards are developed by a number of industry Reporting Standards Groups and provide for each media type:

• Clear metric definitions and requirements
• Details of what data must be publicly reported and additional reporting options
• The types of evidence auditors need to see

This ensures the data we release is accurate and comparable, and that it’s based on consistent, factual evidence.

Reporting Standards

Details of the temporary variations made to our Reporting Standards as result of Coronavirus can be viewed here.

Reporting Standards Groups (RSGs)

Our RSGs are responsible for developing the Reporting Standards, which are the rules to which ABC data are prepared and reported. Each media sector is represented by its own RSG, with members including media owners and media buyers. The groups meet regularly to review and agree the standards for their sector to ensure they keep pace with new innovations and developing industry practices.  

You can find a list of the current members for each RSG here:
ABC Bulk Distribution | Business Media | Consumer Magazines | National Newspapers | Regional Publications 

If you would like to understand how you can get involved please contact us.

Byelaws

Our Byelaws contain important terms and conditions relating to ABC membership, particularly in relation to publicity (section 3). 

View Byelaws

Complaints & Appeals

Complaints

You can This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you believe:

• A member has infringed our Reporting Standards or Byelaws (including misleading or innacurate publicity claims)
• A non-member is incorrectly using or misrepresenting ABC or our data

We will look into the alleged issue and take appropriate action. Members may alternatively submit an official complaint using our formal Complaints Procedure (set out in section 12 of the Byelaws) using the Notification of Complaint Form. You need to be logged in to this website to access this form. If you have trouble logging in, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to request a form.

We publish upheld official complaints concerning members on our website and via our eAlerts notifications. Complaints that are not upheld remain confidential.

View our Complaints procedure

Appeals

If you are a member and wish to appeal against a decision by our Chief Executive, either under section 12 (Complaints Procedure) or section 13 (Review Procedure), there is a standard form which you must use to request the review of the decision by our Board Panel.

Download a Request for Review Form

The purpose of this form is to ensure the appeal is linked to the allowable grounds for appeal. Please refer to the relevant clauses of sections 12 or 13 which detail when and how the form is to be used.