UPDATED: on 24 October 2025, CAP and BCAP announced that they have agreed to remove energy labelling rules from the Codes, effective immediately.  It received one response to its consultation, which was from the Carbon Trust, who didn't object to the proposals as long as the ASA signposted labelling information on its website, which it will do.

In what might be quite a niche area, the Committees of Advertising Practice are consulting about removing CAP and BCAP rules, and accompanying guidance relating to energy labelling and product fiche information.

CAP Code rules 11.8 and 11.9, and BCAP Code rules 9.9 and 9.10 were introduced in 2011, and reflected requirements relating to the inclusion of energy labelling and product fiche information for specific products and in specific types of advertising, which were set out in the legislation that applied at that time.

In well over a decade, the ASA has received no complaints under these rules.  It also points out that there is already a statutory body, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), which is responsible for enforcing the relevant regulations. Therefore, CAP and BCAP have decided to consider if the Codes need to reflect energy labelling legislation at all. 

CAP and BCAP have discussed the issue with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero which has overall responsibility for energy labelling and information policy and legislation, and the OPSS, the appointed Market Surveillance Authority, with responsibility for enforcing the Regulations.

The removal of the rules from the Codes would not affect the requirements set out in legislation, and consumers and businesses can continue to report concerns to the OPSS without contacting the ASA. The removal of the rules and guidance would not affect this.

The consultation ends on 4 March 2025.