How are violations of advertising standards detected and responded to?

• A. Routine advertising reviews conducted monthly by the board.
• B. Complaints from the public may trigger investigations, but sanctions require evidence.
• C. Self-regulation by industry groups only.
• D. Complaints, investigations, and corrective actions by the board, including sanctions.

Answer: (D)

Violations are detected and addressed through a process that starts with complaints from the public, which can trigger formal investigations by the board. During the investigation, evidence is collected to determine whether advertising standards have been breached. If the violation is proven, the board takes corrective actions and may impose sanctions. This sequence—complaints leading to investigations, followed by corrective actions and sanctions—captures the full mechanism for both detecting and responding to advertising standards violations.

Monthly routine reviews aren’t typically the primary detection method, and self-regulation by industry groups alone isn’t sufficient because enforcement comes from the board. Complaints can initiate investigations, but sanctions come as part of the board’s formal action after substantiated findings, not just based on a complaint alone.