MIB Limits SDC Mandate To Food & Health Sectors, Requires Annual Filing

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has restricted the self-declaration mandate to the food and health sectors only. Furthermore, these sectors will only need to file for the SDC annually. An order detailing these changes was issued on July 3, 2024.

"It is deemed appropriate to invoke the powers vested in this Court under Article 32 of the Constitution of India for the enforcement of the fundamental right to health that encompasses the right of a consumer to be made aware of the quality of products being offered for sale by manufacturers, service, providers, advertisers and advertising agencies", the order said.

Advertisers and advertising agencies promoting products and services in the food and health sectors are advised to upload an annual self-declaration certificate. They must also provide proof of this upload to relevant media stakeholders, such as TV channels, newspapers and online advertising platforms.

The self-declaration should be uploaded by the advertiser or advertising agency on the Broadcast Seva Portal, managed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. For advertisements in print media and on the internet, the Ministry is instructed to create a dedicated portal within four weeks. Once this portal is activated, advertisers must upload a self-declaration before issuing any advertisements in print media or online.

In a previous meeting, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) relaxed its strict 'no-amendment' stance on the self-certificate mandate, agreeing to consider advertisers' feedback on the issues faced during the rollout. 

In a meeting with industry stakeholders on June 25, the ministry disclosed the establishment of a core committee to finalise its submission to the Supreme Court on July 9, which will include inputs from advertisers.