Non-Controlled Free - Consumer Magazines

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Non-Controlled Free [Print/Digital]

Single copies distributed to individuals or organisations.

Principles

1. Single copy per issue, distributed to an individual or organisation

Requirements 

1. Single copy per issue, distributed to an individual or organisation 

1. You must be able to demonstrate the copy is distributed to the individual or organisation. For a digital copy:

   1. You must be able to demonstrate distribution either by the copy being delivered to a consumer or the consumer being notified of the availability of the issue to access. 

   2. If distribution/notification is by email, you must exclude Hard Bounces (non-delivery notices typically measured up to 24 hours after being sent). 

2. You must retain a list of the recipients for one designated issue each reporting period (the Audit Issue – see General Principles and Record Keeping section). In addition you must be able to recreate a list of any issue in the reporting period on request. Note:

   1. The list is to include details of the recipients of individually distributed print and digital copies across all circulation types, excluding those that are not available due to the nature of a third-party supplier relationship or represent a duplicate print copy or a duplicate digital copy to the same individual (which are ineligible for claiming).
      
      
   2. You must be able to identify the circulation category/type each copy is claimed in, and which copies, if any, represent a print and digital copy for an issue that are circulated to the same individual. 
      
      
   3. We may agree to waive this requirement where you use a bespoke distribution process involving a new route to market that is operated by a third party or partner operation under the following conditions:
      
      
      • You are not able to provide a mailing list because the third party/partner operation responsible for the data will not/cannot provide it for the purposes of the audit.
        
        
      • You do not provide to the third party/partner operation details of specific individuals that should receive a copy of the publication under their process.
        
        
      • We are able to review the third party/partner’s operation and distribution system and satisfy ourselves that the copies meet the definition and principles of Controlled Circulation and that there is not likely to be a significant level of duplication of a particular issue to individuals through this distribution process. [Note: individuals distributed to under this process need not be tested for duplications against copies distributed outside of the process].
        
        
      • You notify us that you are claiming copies that utilise these requirements in order that we can plan appropriate verification work.
        
        
3. You cannot claim distribution of back issues (with the exception of repurposed unsold retail copies – see below).

Repurposed unsold retail copies
Repurposed unsold retail copies are print copies supplied to wholesale/retail for retail sale, but which have been returned unsold and are subsequently sold or distributed in accordance with these standards. For the avoidance of doubt, these copies cannot be claimed more than once.

You may claim back issues of repurposed unsold print retail copies as follows:

1. 1. Issues up to 12 months old against the issue current at the time of sale/distribution.

   2. The level of repurposed copies included in your claim must be reported – see the Reporting section below for details.

Guidance Available

Reporting

You will report non-controlled circulation as follows, which will be broken out on the ABC Certificate:

1. By print and digital copies, by total average non-controlled free over the period, by geographical type: 

1. United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland

2. Other Countries 

2. It will also be combined with other free copy categories for a summary analysis. Note: There is no requirement to break out Non-Controlled copies into by name or not by name types.

3. If you have claimed repurposed unsold retail copies, then you must combine the repurposed copies with any other repurposed copies in other categories and report the total as a percentage of the total average circulation for the reporting period. 

Guidance

G1. Single copy per issue, distributed to an individual or organisation

1. Print distribution evidence: This will usually be from a third party company whose normal business is single copy distribution (such as Royal Mail).  Typically the evidence will include testing the payment of invoices and related advice notes sufficient to identify the publication, issue, quantities and date distributed.
   
   
2. Print distribution evidence: If a copy is handed to an individual (say at an exhibition) distribution evidence may comprise the recording of the individual’s full name and address details, the date and their signature clearly acknowledging receipt of the publication (including the relevant issue information).
   
   Note:
   1. The signed acknowledgement must not be combined with a request or acknowledgement of another product or service.
      
      
   2. Copies given away with entry tickets or goody bags can only be claimed if the individual’s full details are recorded and they have explicitly signed acknowledging receipt of the issue of the publication.