Translation of "Profession en publicité " (French → English) :

For example, it lifts outdated and disproportionate bans on advertising for such professions, while stipulating that such advertising has to respect certain rules and limits and calling on professional associations to draw up European codes of conduct.

Regulation of professional services varies greatly from one European Union country to another particularly with regard to prices, advertising and inter-professional collaboration.

In addition, for regulated professions (such as lawyers or accountants), the Directive lays down the general principle that the on-line provision of services is permitted and that national rules on advertising shall not prevent professions from operating Web-sites.

(22) Whereas Member States shall not be obliged to permit comparative advertising for goods or services on which they, in compliance with the provisions of the Treaty, maintain or introduce bans, including bans as regards marketing methods or advertising which targets vulnerable consumer groups; whereas Member States may, in compliance with the provisions of the Treaty, maintain or introduce bans or limitations on the use of comparisons in the advertising of professional services, whether imposed directly or by a body or organization responsible under the law of the Member States for regulating the exercise of a professional activity;

(b) 'television advertising' means any form of announcement broadcast in return for payment or for similar consideration by a public or private undertaking in connection with a trade, business, craft or profession in order to promote the supply of goods or services, including immovable property, or rights and obligations, in return for payment.

Advertising of pharmaceutical products has just been made the subject of a proposal for a Directive which regulates firms' promotional activities towards the health professions and direct advertising to the public with regard to self-administered medication.