Russia advertising ban comes into effect in UK

In a statutory instrument published on Thursday 15th December, the export of advertising and some other professional services were banned effective from just after midnight on 16th December 2022, following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia earlier this year.

The legislation will apply to the direct or indirect provision of advertising services to Russia or persons connected with Russia.

Services included include the planning, creating and placement of advertising services, purchase or sale of advertising space or time, on commission, and sale of advertising space and time on TV, radio and in print media.

The sale of internet advertising space is also included within the scope of the ban.

There will be a winding down exception to the advertising sanctions until 15th March 2023, meaning that if UK companies entered into contracts before 16th December 2022, these contracts can be honoured 15th March 2023, after which the exception will not apply.

The government had previously announced at the end of September its intention to extend the list of export service sanctions to Russia to include PR services.

Stephen Woodford, chief executive at the Advertising Association, said: “As the industry’s trade body, we fully support these measures, as well as the decision of many companies who have already ceased trading with Russia.

“We urge businesses to act now to avoid illegal trading. We will continue to work with government to ensure that these sanctions have the maximum impact on Putin’s regime while minimising disruption to UK businesses and ensuring legitimate and necessary activity may continue.”