Advertising requirements in Uzbekistan

1. General requirements

General requirements are aimed at ensuring the honesty, reliability and ethics of advertising information, as well as the protection of consumer rights.

Key provisions :

• Reliability of information - advertising must contain verifiable information that corresponds to reality.
• Ethical - No offensive, discriminatory or obscene material is allowed.
• Clarity - the content must be clear and understandable to the target audience.
• Separation from other information - in the media, the Internet and other channels, advertising must be visually, audio or otherwise separated from editorial and informational materials.
• Advertising language - use of the state (Uzbek) language (with possible dubbing in other languages).

2. Prohibitions and restrictions

The law expressly prohibits:

• Unfair advertising - misleading, containing false information or unreliable comparisons.
• Hidden advertising - when the advertising nature of the information is disguised.
• Discrediting advertising - discrediting the honor, dignity or business reputation of persons.
• Imitation is the use of trade names, signs or designs that are confusingly similar to those of other persons.

3. Special requirements

Certain categories of goods and services are subject to special restrictions due to their potential impact on health, safety or public interest.

Examples:

• Alcoholic products - advertising ban in a number of media outlets and places, restrictions on broadcast time.
• Tobacco products - complete ban on advertising in most forms and channels.
• Medicines and medical services - mandatory indication of contraindications, prohibition of promises of a guaranteed effect.
• Financial services - mandatory disclosure of full information about risks, interest rates and terms.
• Gambling - advertising is limited in time, place and content, mandatory risk warnings.

4. Social advertising

• It is not intended to make a profit.
• Aimed at achieving socially useful goals (health, ecology, safety, etc).
• May be distributed on preferential terms.

5. Liability for violation of requirements

Failure to comply with general and special requirements will result in:

• administrative fines;
• ban on spreading advertising;
• seizure advertising materials;
• compensation damage to the victims persons.

 

Outdoor advertising in Uzbekistan

1. The concept of outdoor advertising

Outdoor advertising is advertising information placed in open spaces, buildings, structures, vehicles and other objects visible from public areas. It intended for mass perception in public places.

2. Basic forms

Outdoor advertising includes:

• billboards, panels, lights boxes;
• banners and posters on building facades;
• electronic and projection screens;
• banners and stands;
• advertising at bus stops and other elements of urban infrastructure.

3. Order of placement

The placement of outdoor advertising is regulated on the basis of:

• obtaining permission from an authorized body (usually a municipality or a specialized unit);
• compliance with urban planning standards and architectural requirements;
• accounting rules improvements territories.

Procedure includes :

1. Submitting an application with a layout, technical characteristics and location of the structure.
2. Review and approval by the responsible authorities.
3. Issuance of a permit for a specified period.
4. Installation in accordance with the approved project.

4. Safety and maintenance requirements

• The structures must be strong, safe and not interfere with the movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
• It is prohibited to block road signs, traffic lights, or the view of intersections.
• The content of advertising must comply with the general requirements of the law (reliability, ethics, absence of prohibited objects).
• Brightness and lighting effects must not blind road users.

5. Limitations by placement

• It is prohibited to install advertisements on architectural monuments without special permission.
• Accommodation near schools, hospitals and cultural sites is restricted.
• Reduced permit periods apply to temporary advertising structures.

6. Liability for violation

Violation of the rules of external advertising entails:

• prescription about elimination violations;
• fines;
• dismantling of the structure at the expense of the violator.

 

Rules for distributing advertising through certain media

View advertising means	Permitted formats	Prohibitions	Special requirements
Television and radio	Commercials, sponsorship mentions, announcements.	Advertising of prohibited goods (tobacco, alcohol, etc.), interruption of children's programs, exceeding airtime limits.	Clear separation from the program, compliance with time standards (percentage of airtime), indication of the sponsor.
Print media	Strip advertising, inserts, advertising modules.	Disguising advertising as editorial content.	Highlighted with frame/font, marked "Advertisement".
Internet	Banners, contextual advertising, promotional posts, videos.	Intrusive pop-ups with no close option, hidden advertising, deceptive links.	Clearly label advertising, compliance with restrictions for goods with special turnover.
Electronic mail and phone	Mailings, SMS , messenger messages, calls.	Advertising without the recipient's consent, concealing information about the sender.	Indication of the sender and contacts, the ability to unsubscribe from the mailing list.
Transport	Advertising on the body, inside the car, on the rear window.	Obstructing the driver's view is a violation of safety regulations.	Compliance with GOST and improvement rules, permission from authorities for public transport.
Film and video production	Advertising inserts , sponsorship screensavers .	Advertising of prohibited goods in children's films.	Clear separation from content, maintaining thematic relevance.
Lighting and projection installations	LED screens, projections on buildings.	Blinding road users, projections on windows without the consent of residents.	Compliance with lighting standards, safety of the structure, coordination with authorities.

 

Advertising of certain types of goods

View goods	Allowed	Forbidden	Special requirements
Alcoholic products	Advertising at retail outlets; at specialized exhibitions; in specialized trade publications.	In general media, the Internet, near educational and medical institutions; assert benefits or safety.	Do not use images of minors; do not encourage excessive consumption.
Tobacco products	—	Any advertising, sponsorship, branding, indirect advertising through other products.	Complete ban in all forms.
Medicinal funds and medical services	Advertising of approved and registered over-the-counter drugs; advertising of licensed medical services.	Advertising of prescription drugs in the media; claims of guaranteed effectiveness or absence of side effects.	Mandatory warning about contraindications; phrase about the need to consult a specialist.
Financial and insurance services	Advertisement with full disclosure of information about the license, rates, conditions, risks.	The wording “no risk”, “100% income”, etc. is misleading.	All fees, terms of the contract, and company registration details must be indicated.
Weapon	Advertising in specialized publications and at exhibitions subject to a license.	In general-purpose media; near children's, educational and cultural institutions.	Permission is only available to registered and licensed sellers.
Gambling games and lotteries	Advertising for adults with a risk warning; in designated places and at designated times.	Use of images of minors; advertising near schools and kindergartens; round-the-clock distribution.	Warning about possible addiction and financial losses; compliance with time limits.
Others restricted goods​	Determined by the government; advertising subject to turnover conditions.	Advertising without certification or permission.	Compliance with certification and labeling requirements.