- China's market regulator is discussing how to define false marketing, with a crackdown on exaggerated and false marketing in the auto industry likely next.
- As new marketing methods emerge, refining the criteria for identifying false marketing becomes increasingly necessary.
China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) is discussing how to define false marketing, with potential measures to address exaggerated and false marketing in the automotive sector, local media outlet Yicai reported today, citing sources.
Currently, China defines false marketing primarily based on the advertising law, anti-unfair competition law, and consumer rights protection law.
However, as the market evolves and new marketing methods emerge, refining the definition of false marketing is necessary to protect the rights of relevant parties, the Yicai report said.
In September, six government departments including China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology jointly issued a document launching a three-month campaign to address exaggerated and false advertising, malicious defamation, and other issues currently prevalent in the automotive industry, the report noted.
The document, made public on September 10, requires automakers to refrain from false or misleading marketing regarding vehicle and battery performance, functionality, quality, or sales status. They are also prohibited from selectively disclosing sales data or publishing sales rankings.
Defaming automakers or automotive products, tarnishing corporate or product reputations, and filing malicious complaints against companies are deemed malicious attacks.
The joint statement requires automakers and online platforms to conduct self-inspections and rectify violations.
