New Rule on Registration of Advertising Media

Advertising media registration obtained by improper means such as fraud and bribery shall be revoked by the industry and commerce administration authorities, and subject to a fine of between RMB10,000 and RMB30,000, according to the Provisions on the Administration of Advertising Media Registration released recently by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC). The new rule will come into force on 1 December 2016.

According to the new rule, radio stations, television stations, newspapers and periodicals publishers, not having applied for advertising media registration, deal in advertising business without authorisation shall be investigated and punished by SAIC in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Advertising Law. Owners of advertising media failing to register the changes in advertising media registration details in accordance with the provisions shall do so within a time limit specified by the industry and commerce administration authorities. Failure to do so on time shall be fined for a sum of between RMB10,000 and RMB30,000.

Registration of advertising media shall fulfill the following conditions: the entity shall be a legal person, or, if not a legal person, shall apply for registration of advertising media by its sponsoring organisation as a legal person; shall have established a specialist agency for advertising operations; shall have specialised advertising personnel and advertising censorship personnel who are familiar with the advertising laws and regulations; and shall have facilities and premises for advertising operations.

Advertising media owners shall carry out advertising through their own radio frequency, television channels, newspapers and other publications.

For more details of the regulations in Chinese, please see:

http://www.saic.gov.cn/zwgk/zyfb/zjl/xxzx/201611/t20161108_172120.html