NAD Releases Fast-Track SWIFT Process

Last week, NAD launched a new, expedited process that will allow companies to challenge advertising claims made by competitors and get a decision within weeks as opposed to months. The process, “Single Well-defined Issue Fast Track” or “SWIFT” is limited to single-issue cases, condenses and simplifies the standard NAD timeline and process, and is slightly more costly.

Fast-Track Eligible Cases

Only certain single-issue cases are accepted for the fast-track review and include, for example:

  • Influencer & Incentivized Reviews Disclosures;
  • Native Advertising Disclosures; and
  • Pricing & Sales Claims.
Cases involving the following are not be eligible for SWIFT review:
  • Complex substantiation, including reviews of clinical studies;
  • Complex legal analysis where the NAD can’t rely on past NAD decisions; or
  • Multiple advertising issues.
Changes to the Process

Fast-track review streamlines the standard NAD procedure and condenses the timeline—with the intention of arriving at a final NAD decision within 20 days. Here is the timeline:

  • The Challenger files a complaint, starting the clock.
  • The Advertiser has four days to object to the fast-track process and/or NAD’s jurisdiction. NAD will decide on the objection within 10 days.
  • The Advertiser has 15 days to reply to the complaint (the objection does not extend this time).
  • Remote (telephone or video) party meetings are held within five days of the Advertiser’s reply.
  • NAD will submit a final decision to the parties 20 days after Challenger files its complaint.
  • The Advertiser has five days to submit a statement for inclusion in the published decision.
The appeals timeline is also condensed.
  • The Advertiser has three days to inform the NAD, NARB, and the Challenger of an intent to appeal the decision.
  • The Advertiser has eight days to submit the case file to the NAD, NARB, and the Challenger (with the appeal limited to 15 double-spaced pages).
  • The Challenger has two days to object to the appeal (no cross-appeals allowed).
  • NARB Chair has absolute discretion to choose which types of members (public, advertising agency, and/or advertiser) will comprise the review panel.
  • NARB will issue a decision three days after the review panel hearing.
Fast-Track Review Cost

The fast-track review cost is $5,000 higher than the standard NAD review cost. For BBB National Partners, the filing cost is $30,000. For Challengers with gross annual revenue less than $250 million, the cost is $15,000. For Challengers with gross annual revenue less than $5 billion, the cost is $35,000. For Challengers with gross annual revenue more than $5 billion, the cost is $40,000. If the NAD determines a case is not eligible for fast-track review, it will only retain a $5,000 processing fee and the Challenger has the option of filing a standard NAD challenge.

Tags: “Single Well-defined Issue Fast Track” or “SWIFT”, NAD, National Advertising Division (NAD)