Advertising Specific Products

The federal government regulates the advertising and labeling of a number of consumer products. If you manufacture or distribute one of the products below, you will need to comply with some specific requirements.

Alcohol Beverages

• Alcohol Advertising and Labeling Guidelines
  Guide to all regulations affecting the labeling, packaging and advertising of alcoholic beverages, including COLA requirements.
  
• Alcohol Beverages Labeled With Organic Claims
  Information regarding the National Organic Program and its standards for the production, handling, processing, labeling, and marketing of products labeled with organic claims.
  
• Appellations of Origin Labeling Requirements for Wine
  Information about the appellations of origin requirements and lists of authorized appellations of origin in the United States and Chile.
• Advertising Distilled Spirits Containing Ingredients Associated with Non-Alcohol Energy Drinks
  An announcement reminding distilled spirits industry members of their advertising requirements under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act.
  
• Advertising Malt Beverages Containing Ingredients Associated with Non-Alcohol Energy Drinks
  An announcement reminding alcohol industry members of the advertising requirements for malt beverages.
  
• Advertising Wines Containing Ingredients Associated with Non-Alcohol Energy Drinks
  An announcement reminding wine advertisers of their responsibilities under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act.

Automobiles

• A Dealer's Guide to the Used Car Rule
  This booklet defines the Rule's requirements, explains how to prepare and display a Buyers Guide, and offers a compliance checklist.
  
• Guidelines for Advertising NHTSA Crash Test Ratings for New Cars
  Guide to auto manufacturers and dealers on how to promote crash test ratings in advertising.

Computers and Internet Services

• Advertising and Marketing on the Internet : Rules of the Road
  These Federal Trade Commission rules and guidelines protect businesses and consumers - and help maintain the credibility of the Internet as an advertising medium.
  
• CAN-SPAM Act : Requirements for Commercial Entities
  The CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 (Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act) establishes requirements for those who send commercial email, spells out penalties for spammers and companies whose products are advertised in spam if they violate the law, and gives consumers the right to ask emailers to stop spamming them.
  
• Dotcom Disclosures
  This booklet describes the information businesses should consider as they develop online ads to ensure that they comply with the law.

Health and Fitness Products

• FDA Guidance for Industry Consumer-Directed Broadcast Advertisements
  Guidelines to television and radio advertising of drugs and other pharmaceuticals.
  
• Marketing of Refractive Eye Care Surgery : Guidance for Eye Care Providers
  This policy statement provides guidance to eye care providers that market their professional services.

Housing and Real Estate

• Advertising Consumer Leases
  If you advertise consumer leases, your ads must comply with the streamlined rules for lease advertising found in the Consumer Leasing Act (CLA) and Regulation M.
  
• Fair Housing Advertising
  The provisions of the Fair Housing Act make it unlawful to discriminate in the sale, rental, and financing of housing, and in the provision of brokerage and appraisal services, because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

Telephone Services

• Complying with the 900-Number Rule
  If you operate a pay-per-call service or provide billing for a pay-per-call service, this booklet explains how you can comply with the FTC's 900-Number Rule.
  
• Federal Trade Commission Guide to Marketing Telephone Services
  Guide to regulations and policy statements for providers of pay-per-call and other telephone services.
  
• Joint FTC/FCC Guides on Long Distance Advertising
  Regulations covering the advertising of long distance phone services to consumers.