Frequently Asked Questions about Preclearance of Children's Advertising

Children’s Broadcast Advertising Clearance

Children’s Non-Broadcast Advertising Clearance (print and Internet)

Children’s Broadcast Advertising Clearance: Service Options

  1. Committee clearance
  • The committee meets every other Monday morning to review finished commercials.
  • A meeting schedule is published annually by Ad Standards.
  • Turnaround time – submit by Friday noon preceding the scheduled Monday meeting. Your approved submission will be emailed back to you with a nine-character Ad Standards approval number valid for one year, by close of business on meeting day. This number signifies to broadcasters that the commercial has been approved.
  1. Holiday "off-week" clearance
  • In-between regular Monday committee clearance meetings during the peak pre-holiday season (September to December).
  • Turnaround time — submit by Friday noon preceding the scheduled Monday meeting. Your approved submission will be emailed back to you with a nine-character Ad Standards approval number valid for one year, by close of business on meeting day. This number signifies to broadcasters that the commercial has been approved.
  1. Conditional clearance
  • A "temporary" or conditional approval mechanism is available as a service to advertisers who require expedited review and approval in between regularly scheduled meetings.
  • The Committee reviews the submission online and a "temporary" approval number is issued, which then becomes final at the next scheduled Children's Committee meeting.
  • Turnaround time — Your approved submission will be emailed back to you with a nine-character Ad Standards approval number valid for one year, within two (2) business days. This number signifies to broadcasters that the commercial has been approved.
  1. Script/video evaluation
  • Prior to final commercial production and submission for committee clearance, scripts and storyboards, or scripts and videos may be submitted for evaluation. Children’s section staff will advise (in writing) whether or not the submission complies with the Children’s Code. Although this preliminary evaluation does not guarantee final committee clearance, it can help avoid changes to finished commercials.
  • Turnaround time — In the case of script/video evaluations, no number is issues. These submissions are stamped as "Reviewed" and returned to you by email.

Children’s Broadcast Advertising Clearance: How do I submit my commercial for review?

  • Step 1 Go to the e-Clearance login page
  • Step 2 Login or Create a new account
  • Step 3 Enter your submissions online. (For copies in languages other than English or French, please provide a translation.)
  • TV: Include script with detailed video description
  • Radio: Include script with detailed audio description (SFX)
  • Final commercial for committee and conditional clearance in a video file
  • Rough-cut of the commercial is acceptable for evaluation in a video file

Your approved submission will be faxed or emailed back to you with a nine-character Ad Standards approval number, valid for one year. This number signifies to broadcasters that the commercial has been approved.

Children’s Broadcast Advertising Clearance: How long does it take to do an evaluation?

Regular service: Two business days from receipt of submission
Priority service: One business day from receipt of submission

Children’s Broadcast Advertising Clearance: Who can I talk to about advertising clearance?

To reach a member of the Clearance Services team, call 416-961-6311, ext. 3 or email clearance@adstandards.ca.

Do I need clearance by any other bodies?

Ad Standards Clearance Services reviews advertising in six regulated areas to ensure compliance with specific sectoral legislation, regulations, codes and guidelines. For television advertising, in addition to obtaining an Ad Standards Clearance number, prior to airing, commercials must be approved by thinktv to ensure their standards are met. Contact thinktv for complete details.

thinktv clearance provides commercial review services for its broadcaster members.

Children’s Non-Broadcast Advertising Clearance: How do I submit my commercial for review?

Step 1 Go to the e-Clearance login page

Step 2 Login or Create a new account

Step 3 Enter your submissions online. (For copies in languages other than English or French, please provide a translation.)

Children’s Non-Broadcast Advertising Clearance: How will I know the submission has been approved?

Your approved submission will be returned to you with a nine-character Ad Standards approval number, valid for one year. This number signifies to the advertiser and presenting media that the commercial has been approved.

Children’s Non-Broadcast Advertising Clearance: How long does it take to do an evaluation?

Regular service: Two business days from receipt of submission
Priority service: One business day from receipt of submission

Children’s Non-Broadcast Advertising Clearance: Who can I talk to about advertising clearance?

To reach a member of the Clearance Services team, call 416-961-6311 or email clearance@adstandards.ca.

Scroll to top