FCA Handbook - PDCOB 6 Restrictions on advertising permitted on a pensions dashboard

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PDCOB 6.1 Application

(1)
PDCOB 6.2 to PDCOB 6.4 apply to a firm that places advertisements on or around its pensions dashboard platform.
(2)
In this sourcebook, reference to the placement of advertisements encompasses the placement of advertisements for services by third parties as well as advertisements for the firm’s services.

PDCOB 6.2 Purpose

The purpose of the rules in this chapter is to ensure that firms are only permitted to place certain types of advertisements on a pensions dashboard platform and only in a particular manner.

PDCOB 6.3 Restriction on types of advertisement

A firm must not place advertisements on its pensions dashboard platform other than advertisements offering:

(1)
advising on investments (except pension transfers and pension opt-outs); and/or
(2)
post-view services.

Firms are reminded of the rule in PDCOB 8.4.4R which applies to any link contained within an advertisement that is placed on its pensions dashboard platform.

Before a firm places an advertisement offering advising on investments (except pension transfers and pension opt-outs), the firm must check that the firm offering those services holds the relevant permission.

A firm must ensure that an advertisement does not create the impression that the service is an appropriate service for the customer’s circumstances.

Firms are reminded of the requirements under COBS 4 that apply to any financial promotions in relation to advising on investments (except pension transfers and pension opt-outs).

Only a firm may place advertisements on or around its pensions dashboard platform, and must not permit any other person to have control over the placement of advertisements.

PDCOB 6.4 Restrictions on the manner in which advertisements are placed

A firm must ensure that the placement and volume of advertisements on or around its pensions dashboard platform does not lead to any impairment in a customer’s ability to get the full benefit of the services available on the pensions dashboard platform.

Firms are reminded of the need to ensure that their use of advertisements does not impair the quality of their communications, taking into account requirements in FCA rules (see PDCOB 4).