Note: This advice is given by the CAP Executive about non-broadcast advertising. It does not constitute legal advice. It does not bind CAP, CAP advisory panels or the Advertising Standards Authority.
The requirement to display fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures on advertisements is not a specific requirement of the CAP Code. It is a statutory requirement and the Department for Transport (DfT) has tasked the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) with monitoring all car advertisements to ensure they display the relevant fuel consumption and CO2 data.
The legislation that sets out the requirements for the display of that information is The Passenger Car (Fuel Consumption and CO2 Emissions Information) (Amendment) Regulations 2004, which amends The Passenger Car (Fuel Consumption and CO2 Emissions Information) Regulations 2001.
To help marketers and their agencies, the VCA has published Guidance Notes, to further clarify the requirements for advertising (these were updated 16 January 2009)
If you want to enquire about the requirement or the guidance, please contact the VCA direct on: adverts@vca.gov.uk or telephone: 0117 952 4106.
Last modified : 03 August 2010