What
is
taps
TAPS is a pre-vetting service which assists advertisers, advertising agencies and the media to comply with the ASA - Advertising Codes of Practice for Therapeutic Products and Services in New Zealand.
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TAPS is a voluntary service widely supported by the media, web operators and industry.
ANZA administers TAPS on behalf of media and industry.
HOW
TAPS works
ANZA appoints independent, experienced TAPS Adjudicators to pre-vet advertising material prior to placement with media.
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Our aim: To help you avoid legislative breaches in your advertising material.
How
To get started
Get registered
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There's no charge for registration. It simply ensures we have details of who is to be charged when the work is done.
First Step
To use TAPS, the first step is to register. There is no charge for registration, it simply ensures we have details of who is to be charged when the work is done.
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Complete the form below –
If you're a start-up or offshore company, it can be difficult providing a New Zealand credit reference. If this is the case, tick the pre-pay box - payment for your work can then be made via internet banking, Paypal or credit card prior to work commencing.
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Click submit
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We'll process your registration and be in touch
More information
Scroll down for more information about TAPS and how it works
We'll email you a confirmation of registration along with and a list of the independent TAPS Adjudicators who
have extensive experience of therapeutic products marketing and regulation. ANZA does not contribute to the adjudication; it simply administers the system on behalf of industry.
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Select one Adjudicator
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Complete a TAPS Pre-vetting Form for each advertisement
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Email the Adjudicator of your choice the form and advertisement in the following formats:
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​Finished Commercials: Mpegs or hyperlink and accurate script
Scripts and Concepts: Copy of scripts & storyboards or layouts at any stage, reduced if necessary
Print and Outdoor: Copy of proof of finished artwork, reduce if necessary
Point-of-Sale: Copy or proof of finished artwork, reduce if necessary
Website: Hyperlink
Pre-production Approvals: For all TV, Radio and cinema campaigns, advertisers are recommended to obtain the Adjudicator's advice at concept, script, storyboard and production stages. A concept Approval is given before productions. This pre-empts any possible contraventions of relevant Codes and regulations and avoids the cost of having expensive changes or a campaign rejected totally.
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​Once your material is approved by the TAPS Adjudicator, you will be supplied with a unique TAPS number relating to that specific material and this is evidence for the media that the material has had TAPS adjudication. The approval details include:
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TAPS job reference number
Advertisement title
Client
Product
Adjudicator's signature and unique TAPS approval code
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​All advertisements appearing in print media and approved by a TAPS Adjudicator should carry the prefix TAPS before every key number.
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Disclaimer -
ANZA and the Adjudicators do not accept liability for any loss of any nature howsoever arising out of or consequent upon the pre-vetting of any advertisement under the TAPS system. It remains at all time the sole responsibility of the advertiser and its advertising agency to ensure that the advertisement complies in all respects with all relevant codes and regulations.
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TAPS is a user-pays service and is charged by ANZA at the following rates:
​ANZA Member Companies - $95 per 15 minutes of Adjudicator time + GST - effective 1 July 2023
Non-ANZA Member Companies - $140 per 15 minutes of Adjudicator time + GST - effective 1 July 2023
For first time users a minimum 30-minute charge applies for the initial adjudication to cover administration costs.
Although you don't have to be a member of ANZA to obtain TAPS Adjudication, we do encourage you to consider becoming an ANZA member.
Terms
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If a purchase order number is required by you or your client, please supply prior to approval work commencing.
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Payment is due by the 20th of the month following the date of invoice. Invoices are issued by ANZA during the first week of the month following completion of the pre-vetting job.
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ANZA reserves the right to require organisations to settle overdue accounts prior to commencing any new approval work.
We are always asked is how long will the adjudication take?
There is no simple answer as it depends on how much material needs to be reviewed (a website typically takes longer than a 30 second television advertisement) and the extent that the material is compliant or not, but more than 50% of our adjudications are 30 minutes or less.
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The Adjudicators are willing to provide quotes for adjudication once they have viewed your material.
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Three working days should be allowed for normal approvals. Lengthy infomercials and websites may require additional time.
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It is essential to give 24 hours notice by phone to the Adjudicator when urgent approvals are required.
TAPS Adjudicator office hours are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
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TAPS was established by ANZA to assist advertisers, advertising agencies and the media to comply with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) Advertising Codes of Practice for therapeutic products and services.
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TAPS is a voluntary commitment to responsibility in marketing initiated by therapeutic brand-owners belonging to ANZA.
TAPS is supported by all major media and the Commercial Communications Council (Comms Council).
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The ASA Codes require that advertising of therapeutic products and services be conducted in a manner that demonstrates a high standard of social responsibility and does not mislead or deceive the consumer.
By ensuring honest, ethical and responsible therapeutic advertising, the ASA seeks:
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To ensure the consumer is fully informed and protected;
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To improve the overall standard of therapeutic advertising;
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To engender maximum support from Government and related organisations and thereby;
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To retain the legal right to promote therapeutic products directly to end-consumers.
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ANZA administers TAPS on behalf of the industry to provide a robust mechanism for all therapeutic advertising to be pre-vetted for compliance with the relevant codes and regulations prior to being accepted for placement by the media. In so doing, ANZA seeks:
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To provide advertisers with an efficient, fair and high-quality means of pre-vetting advertisements at minimum cost.
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To support the principles of responsible industry self-regulation of advertisers
Therapeutic products -
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Are any goods or services which claim a therapeutic purpose as defined by section 4 of the Medicines Act 1981 and in particular are medicines, medical devices, medical treatments, herbal remedies, antiseptics, traditional remedies, and will include dietary supplements, vitamins and mineral supplements, sun-screens and any other product for which a therapeutic purpose is claimed.
Therapeutic Advertising -
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Any advertisement that makes a therapeutic claim, such as the product:
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Treats or prevents disease
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Diagnoses or determines the extent or existence of a disease
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Improves health or improves or strengthens function
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Reduces symptoms
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Interferes with the normal operation of a physiological function
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Effects contraception
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Induces anesthesia
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Alters the shape, structure, size or weight of the human body
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Cleaning, soaking or lubricating contact lenses
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Or promotes any medical product, service or provider
Relevant Codes and Regulations -
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Includes the ASA - Codes of Practice and the Codes for Therapeutic Products Advertising and Therapeutics Services Advertising in particular, Medicines Act 1981 (and amendments) and its accompanying regulations, all other relevant industry Code of Ethics, Acts of Parliament and/or Regulations, and agreements with the Ministry of Health as to required information and methods of presentation.
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The ASA Codes -
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Require that advertising of therapeutic products and services be conducted in a manner that demonstrates a high standard of social responsibility and does not mislead or deceive the consumer.
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By ensuring honest, ethical and responsible therapeutic advertising, the ASA seeks:
· To ensure the consumer is fully informed and protected;
· To improve the overall standard of therapeutic advertising;
· To engender maximum support from Government and related organisations and thereby;
· To retain the legal right to promote therapeutic products directly to end-consumers.
ANZA administers TAPS on behalf of the industry to provide a robust mechanism for all therapeutic advertising to be pre-vetted for compliance with the relevant codes and regulations prior to being accepted for placement by the media. In so doing, ANZA seeks:
· To ensure a consistent standard of compliance with the relevant codes and regulations by all advertisers and across all media.
· To provide advertisers with an efficient, fair and high-quality means of pre-vetting advertisements at minimum cost.
· To support the principles of responsible industry self-regulation of advertisers
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The Media’s Role -
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TAPS procedures do not alter the pre-clearance requirements of media bodies. Therapeutic advertisements must be submitted for pre-publication or pre-broadcast approval as required.
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For all TV, radio and cinema campaigns, advertisers are also recommended to obtain advice from these pre-clearance authorities at concept, script and production stages.
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Media Concerns -
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Occasionally a TAPS-approved advertisement might cause some concern to the media. If so, the following course of action should be taken: If the advertisement has been approved by the TAPS Adjudicator, the media should discuss the concern with the Adjudicator (at no charge for a brief consultation).
Note: When the Media requires a longer consultation (i.e. more than 5 minutes) or a written opinion from the TAPS Adjudicator, stand charges for these services do apply.
Ultimate Responsibility -
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Ultimately, the media running the advertisement has to take responsibility. If concerns aren’t resolved, then placement of the advertisement should possibly be reconsidered.
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Complaints Against Therapeutic Advertising -
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Any member of the public who considers there’s been a breach of the Advertising Codes of Practice may complain to the Advertising Standards Complaints Board (ASCB).
Established by the ASA, the ASCB is an independent body that will seek comments from all interested parties and then adjudicate on the complaint.
If the complaint is upheld, then the advertiser, advertising agency and media are, in accordance with self-regulatory principles, requested to voluntarily withdraw the advertisement. This request is invariably followed.
The ASCB’s decisions set precedents for the TAPS Adjudicator to observe in granting subsequent approvals.
Executive summaries of the most recently published decisions are found on the ASA’s website.
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The following Guidelines have been developed to assist advertisers in specific areas of compliance with New Zealand legislation and advertising codes:
For further information please contact your TAPS Adjudicator or ANZA → ANZA@ANZA.co.nz​