About BBB National Programs

BBB National Programs is an independent, nonprofit organization with a shared history, but not affiliated with, the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

In 2019, the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) restructured and created two independent non-profit organizations: the International Association of Better Business Bureaus (IABBB) and BBB National Programs. The IABBB is the national HQ for all Better Business Bureaus (BBB) across the country. Our organization, BBB National Programs, is home to the independent, industry self-regulation programs that were a part of CBBB since the 70’s.

The two organizations share a history, but are no longer affiliated with one another. And though BBB is a part of our organization name, it is inaccurate to write "Better Business Bureau National Programs" or to indicate that any BBB National Programs is affiliated with the BBBs or with the IABBB.

Industry self-regulation, a type of “soft law,” encourages industry efforts to generate voluntary creative and workable solutions to a shared problem. Built on a strong corporate governance foundation with a keen cognizance of the law, industry self-regulation occupies a middle ground between corporate compliance programs and the “hard law” of government legislation or regulation.

The public’s ability to trust products and services blossoms in this middle ground, the soft law ecosystem of best practices, standards, and certifications. Industry self-regulation systems take root there, improving our lives without being codified into binding law.

• Industry self-regulation has been helping solve emerging challenges across industries in the U.S. for more than 50 years. 
• Businesses within an industry work together with a third-party accountability agent, like us, to create new industry standards where gaps exist without having to wait for new regulations or legislation. 
• There are many different models for industry self-regulation, often including components such as industry-wide agreement on standards, independent accountability, active monitoring of the marketplace, and an enforcement mechanism so action can be taken when necessary. 
• For decades industries have proven that they can self-regulate faster than federal, or state policy can be written. And because industry self-regulation standards are informed by businesses in the industry, the result is a more realistic and actionable path forward. 

BBB National Programs National Partners share a common goal of influencing the future of regulation in their industries and demonstrate to stakeholders their commitment to accountable, industry-led standards and dispute resolution programs that protect consumers and keep the playing field level for business.

The benefits of being a BBB National Programs National Partner include:

• Shaping the future of industry self-regulation through program committees and working groups.
• Networking and thought leadership opportunities with more than 120 global corporations, law firms, associations, and trade groups committed to advancing marketplace trust and influencing industry behavior.
• Opportunity to participate in children’s advertising and privacy programs.
• Access to advertising and privacy self-regulation programs and experts to enhance consumer trust in the marketplace.
• Customized navigation of privacy issues and compliance guidelines.
• Discounts to BBB National Programs conferences and resources, including the widely respected and cited cases of the National Advertising Division available through the Online Archives.
• Discounts on National Advertising Division case filings.

Established in 1971
For the last 50 years in the advertising industry, companies have held each other to a higher standard. In response to the pressures and criticisms of consumerism that had mounted during the previous decade, in 1971 the advertising industry established the National Advertising Division (NAD) and National Advertising Review Board (NARB), the U.S. mechanism of independent self-regulation that has stood the test of time and technological innovation.

Learn more at NAD50th.org.

Established in 1974
For the last 50 years, companies marketing to children have held each other to a higher standard. In response to a credible threat to advertising to children, in 1974 the Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) was established as the U.S. mechanism of independent self-regulation for protecting children under age 13 from deceptive or inappropriate advertising. 

Learn more at CARU50th.org.

Established in 1982
In the early 1980s, the U.S. automotive market was transitioning and the country’s first “ lemon law” was put in place creating a need for a streamlined dispute resolution process that would resolve consumer complaints without costly and time-consuming litigation.  

General Motors (GM) organized a grassroots effort among auto manufacturers (including Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi, and Nissan) to develop and implement an out-of-court program for their customers to use conciliation, facilitated negotiation, and arbitration to help resolve vehicle warranty disputes. The program, BBB AUTO LINE, expanded nationwide in 1982.

Learn more about BBB AUTO LINE.