Appliances, electronics and machinery

Helpful information on the advertising rules for appliances, electronics and machinery, not including phones and computers.

While there are no specific ad rules that appliances, electronics and machinery have to abide by, advertisers of these products have to stick to the general rules to ensure their ads are not misleading, harmful or offence. Social responsibility is also an important factor and safety should be at the forefront of all ads depicting electronic products and machinery.

Any protective equipment which needs to be worn when using appliances, electronics or machinery should be shown in ads for these products and the setting of the ad – i.e. where the product is being used – should also be sensible.

Advertisers should also take care not to cause confusion about a consumer’s rights, particularly in relation to guarantees, warranties and any other after-sale service or care agreements. These types of offers should always be communicated in a clear way to the audience of the ad.

It should be obvious to the consumer any significant limitations that apply to an advertised guarantee and full terms and conditions should always be available before the consumer is committed to taking up the guarantee. Furthermore, advertisers should promptly refund consumers who make valid claims under an advertised money-back guarantee and ads for appliances, electronics and machinery should not falsely claim or imply that after-sales service is available in an EEA member state in which the advertised product is not sold.

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Latest rulings

Formulapower/fuelcat Ltd t/a Fuel Cat
- Upheld
- Website (own site)
- 27 August 2025
A website for a company selling fuel catalysts made unsubstantiated claims that their products could improve engine efficiency.
Living and Home Ltd
- Upheld
- Website (commercial classified)
- 07 May 2025
A product listing made misleading and unsubstantiated savings claims.
Petchip.Network
- Upheld
- Search (paid)
- 12 March 2025
Two paid-for Google search ads for Petchip.Network misleadingly implied they were an approved database to comply with the legal requirements for microchipping cats and dogs.
Samsung Electronics (UK) Ltd t/a Samsung
- Upheld
- Website (own site)
- 11 December 2024
A cashback promotion on the Samsung website caused unnecessary disappointment and wasn’t administered fairly.

View all rulings

Appliances, electronics and machinery

Helpful information on the advertising rules for appliances, electronics and machinery, not including phones and computers.

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