IASH unveils new code of conduct for 2009

Version 9.1 of the IASH code of conduct, which will be used in the ABCe audits for the H2 2009 period, has been developed following extensive industry consultation carried out by the Council over the past 6 months.

IASH has been working with the relevant industry bodies such as ABCe, the IPA and ISBA in order to refine and evolve the Code to ensure that all parties within the buying cycle are protected. Following this relaunch, the aim is to now renew the Code on a biannual basis and IASH will continue to work with these organisations and its members to ensure that the Code develops for the industry.

The new, tighter Code incorporates a number of key changes:

• There are now simply IASH Members and non-Members, ensuring that that only IASH members who have passed an audit are publicly associated with IASH.

IASH Applicant status no longer exists.

• The Code now covers 4 types of inventory: IASH Inventory which is classified into Standard and Optional types, Warrantied inventory which is not vetted but requires a dated Warranty as a minimum and finally, Barred inventory.
• The Code has also been split into 2 documents. The first is the IASH Constitution which deals with rules of membership, complaints process and penalties due, and the second is the IASH Code that must be upheld by all Members and includes the key components of the ABCe audit.

Richard Sharp, Chair or the IASH Council said: “We will continue to evolve the code and constitution to reflect the growth and change of the industry. At the end of the day we are all about instilling confidence in advertisers and ensuring we hit their campaign objectives without damaging their brand. All of the changes we have made have come in direct response to requests from organisations such as the IPA, ISBA or JICWEBS and feedback from the auditors - ABCe.

In 2009 we intend to further collaborate with all the relevant parties to promote trust, transparency and clarity within all the work that we do.”

Nigel Gwilliam, Head of Digital, IPA said: “We applaud IASH's commitment to evolving their Code of Conduct and are impressed with the constructive manner in which they have sought industry input. They have listened to IPA feedback, particularly with regard to clarifying member status, and we look forward to building on this.”