1. When you lodge a complaint with the ARB we request certain information. This is to ascertain, as far as possible, that you are a real person, that you are not a competitor pretending to be a consumer and that multiple complaints do in fact come from separate individuals.
  2. We share your name with the Advertiser against whom you complained, and we publish your name in our decisions, if the matter reaches that point. If you do not wish for this to occur, you need to withdraw your complaint.
  3. We do not share any of your other information without your permission.
  4. Your information is securely stored on our server.
  5. You may at any time request details about what information we have about you.
  6. We may from time to time use your information to examine complaint trends based on demographics. In doing so, we will at no time link your name to such trends analysis.
  7. You may at any time before a decision is made, withdraw the complaint and ask us to erase your data.
  8. However, once a decision is made, we are required to keep a full record for our legal protection in the event that the matter is challenged at a later stage.

IF YOU ARE A SECTION 13 ENTITY

Section 13 is somewhat badly worded and different verification agencies interpret it differently.

The 5 points are allocated to all behaviours. It is our suggestion that the safest way to fulfil the criteria is to do the following:

  • Get a certificate of no rulings (MAC Certificate) We charge R2000 plus VAT to issue this certificate, and it usually has a 24 hour turn over time from payment.
  • Do a Responsible Social Marketing campaign in terms of the Code to the value indicated. In brief, this is a campaign that in some manner encourages consumers to behave in a more socially responsible way. The typical example would be a don’t-drink-and-drive campaign. We charge R1000 plus VAT to assess your campaign and issue a letter of confirmation that your campaign complies (if it does!)
  • If you have NOT done an RSM campaign and need the points, you can also make a donation to the ARB to assist us in our work in the responsible marketing arena.
  • Some verification agents require you to attend training initiatives. The ARB offers training and will issue a letter of confirmation once you have completed it.

IF YOU ARE A SECTION 20 ENTITY

  • 3 points are available for getting a certificate of no rulings (MAC Certificate). We charge R2000 plus VAT to issue this certificate, and it usually has a 24 hour turn over time from payment.
  • There are a further 2 points available for having done a Responsible Social Marketing campaign in terms of the Code to the value indicated. In brief, this is a campaign that in some manner encourages consumers to behave in a more socially responsible way. The typical example would be a don’t-drink-and-drive campaign. We charge R1000 plus VAT to assess your campaign and issue a letter of confirmation that your campaign complies (if it does!)
  • If you have NOT done an RSM campaign and need the points, you can also make a donation to the ARB to assist us in our work in the responsible marketing arena.

WHAT IS A MAC CERTIFICATE?

MAC Certificates are also commonly referred to as ‘’No Adverse Rulings Letter’’ or ``Certificate for RSM B-BBEE points’’.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A MAC CERTIFICATE?

  • The first step is to contact us for an invoice. The amount is R2 000 (R2 300 including VAT).
  • Once you have paid, the documentation and requirements we need in order to provide you with the MAC Certificate, are as follows:
  • Company Registration documents
  • If applicant is a sole trader, a certified copy of the ID or passport
  • VAT Number
  • Applications by Advertising Agency or Marketers should please include a declaration (either in affidavit form or on a company letterhead, signed by a current director) confirming that neither the applicant nor any of its clients' campaigns have been ruled against in the 12 months preceding the application
  • Proof of payment
  • We will then provide the certificate. While we are quick, we beg you not to leave this until the last minute on the last day!

 

THE ARB ADMINISTERS 5 POINTS IN TERMS OF s13/20 OF THE MAC CHARTER

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Consumer protection through responsible advertising

APPLY FOR A MAC CERTIFICATE

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