The Uzbekistan Competition Committee has approved a regulatory act that introduces a risk assessment system for commercial entities. This document allows for the automated checking of companies regarding the probability of violating advertising legislation.
Risk Categorization System
Under the new system, companies will be assigned to one of three risk categories: low, medium, or high. The classification is based on an evaluation conducted using a 100-point scale. Companies scoring over 81 points will fall into the high-risk group, while those scoring between 61 and 80 points will be classified as medium risk.
Scoring Criteria
The assessment is formed based on identified violations of advertising law requirements, with each type of infringement assigned a specific number of points. Up to 20 points can be assigned for violating general advertising requirements. This category includes non-compliance with legality, accuracy, and reliability requirements of advertising, violation of language norms, advertising of prohibited goods, and incorrect information about promotions.
Types of Violations and Their Weight
Improper advertising can add up to 15 points. Specifically, this concerns violations of restrictions on targeting advertising at minors, the use of hidden advertising, and non-compliance with comparative advertising rules. Up to 25 points are allocated for violating rules on placing advertisements in public places and mass media, including outdoor advertising, television, radio, transport, print publications, and sponsored advertising.
Violations of requirements for advertising certain categories of goods and services carry the most weight in the risk assessment, potentially adding up to 40 points. Such goods include medicines, alcoholic and tobacco products, goods requiring special certificates, licenses, or permits, as well as energy drinks, securities, weapons, and dietary supplements.
