National Advertising Division
Program Impact
Truth & Transparency
Voluntary self-regulation helps create an honest and fair marketplace. Companies benefit from a level playing field and consumers benefit from a more trustworthy marketplace. A 90% participation rate demonstrates the depth of industry’s commitment to self-regulation and truth and transparency.Issues We Examine
NAD’s legal team specializes in examining advertising claims for a diverse set of goods and services like telecommunications, infant nutrition, over-the-counter medication, and dietary supplements for a wide variety of issues from product efficacy to influencer marketing and the use of consumer reviews.Time & Cost
The NAD process resolves advertising disputes efficiently and almost always faster than a court proceeding. There is no document discovery or depositions, no counterclaims, and the process requires less investment in time and cost than litigating a case.Navigating Uncertainty
NAD has a published body of case precedent and is staffed by decision makers dedicated to resolving advertising disputes, using a process that provides advertisers the right to appeal adverse decisions to the National Advertising Review Board (NARB).NAD Challenges
NAD offers three options for submitting challenges for review: Standard Track, Complex Track, and Fast-Track SWIFT. Click on the options below for more information on each track's process, challenge eligibility requirements, timeline, and fees to determine which track is best suited to handle your needs. BBB National Programs National Partners receive a discount on filing fees.
Fast-Track SWIFT
Single-issue digital advertising cases with decisions in 20 business days. Learn MoreComplex Track
Cases requiring complex substantiation. Time to decision is determined by the parties. Learn More
Why Use NAD for Advertising Challenges
When a competitor’s advertising harms consumer trust or threatens a company’s reputation and market share, decision makers need to answer three key questions:
- Which forum will resolve my challenge most efficiently—federal court, Federal Trade Commission complaint, or NAD challenge?
The NAD process promotes truthful advertising resolving advertising disputes efficiently. Unless advertising is so misleading and causing sufficient harm that a temporary restraining order application will likely succeed, the NAD process is typically faster than a court proceeding.
- How much will it cost?
Filing a challenge with NAD is almost always more cost effective than other options. There is no document discovery. There is no deposition. The matter cannot be delayed by filing counterclaims. Our streamlined process saves time and money.
- What are the risks?
Because NAD has a published body of case precedent and is staffed by decision makers dedicated to resolving advertising disputes, the outcome is more predictable than a court proceeding where individual judges have crowded dockets of a wide array of cases and different decision-making styles. Our procedures provide advertisers with an automatic right to appeal adverse decisions to the self-regulatory system’s peer review body, the National Advertising Review Board.
Policies & Procedures
Any company, consumer, or non-governmental organization can file a challenge with NAD. We handle about 150 cases each year and our decisions represent the single largest body of advertising decisions in the United States. The NAD | NARB Policies and Procedures describe the details and parameters of NAD's challenge review process.
News & Blog
BBB National Programs Partners with Facebook to Strengthen Truth-in-Advertising Enforcement on the Social Network's U.S. Platform
New York, NY – December 2, 2020 – Taking an important step to advance the effectiveness of its quick and efficient self-regulatory programs, BBB National Programs today announced a new National Advertising Division (NAD) partnership with Facebook.
Arcadia Consumer Healthcare Violates National Advertising Division Procedures
After Seven Months, the Verdict is in: Fast-Track SWIFT is Fast and Fair
NAD 2020: A Virtually Stellar Advertising Law Conference
Decisions
NAD Recommends Zarbee’s Inc. Qualify Use of the Term “Natural” in its Brand-Name for Some of its Dietary Supplement Products, and Modify Additional Claims
New York, NY – January 7, 2021 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) recommended that Zarbee’s qualify its use of the term “natural” in the Zarbee’s Naturals brand name when some or all the essential or key ingredients used in its products are...
NAD Finds Certain Claims for PLx Pharma’s Vazalore Immediate-Release Aspirin Supported; Recommends Modification or Discontinuation of Others
New York, NY – January 6, 2020 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) determined that PLx Pharma provided a reasonable basis for certain claims for its Vazalore immediate-release aspirin product, including that there is a “new delivery system for this lifesaving...
NAD Finds End-Of-Day Vision and Comfort Superiority Claims for PRECISION1 Daily Contact Lenses Supported; Recommends Modification of Other Claims
New York, NY – December 30, 2020 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) determined that Alcon Vision LLC provided a reasonable basis for certain superiority advertising claims for its PRECISION1 daily contact lenses.
NAD Recommends DISH Discontinue or Modify Certain Comparative Storage Capacity and Simultaneous Recording Capability Claims for Hopper 3 DVR
New York, NY – December 23, 2020 – The National Advertising Division (NAD) recommended that DISH Network, LLC discontinue or modify express and implied claims that the DISH Hopper 3 DVR is
Upcoming Events
NAD at 50 and a Look Back at Advertising Self-Regulation
RE:formulate: Fermentation-Enabled Alternative Protein Innovation Summit
4th Annual Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance Forum on Advertising Claims Substantiation
Social Media and Mobile Devices 2021: Addressing Corporate Risks
Resources
NAD Standard Track Infographic
NAD Fast-Track SWIFT Infographic
NAD Complex Track Infographic
Telecommunications Digest
Environmental Digest
Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Advertising Digest
Digital Marketing Digest
Frequently Asked Questions