Slovenia - Trade Promotion & AdvertisingSlovenia - Promotion/Advertisement
All normal means of advertising are available and widely used in Slovenia, including newspapers, internet banners, magazines, television, radio, and outdoor billboards/signs. Other promotional techniques commonly employed are sales promotions, public relations campaigns, and trade fairs.
Truth in Advertising
The EU Directive on Misleading and Comparative Advertising establishes minimum and objective criteria regarding truth in advertising, including comparative advertising. Per the Directive, misleading advertising is defined as “any advertising which in any way, including its presentation, deceives or is likely to deceive the persons to whom it is addressed or whom it reaches and which, by reason of its deceptive nature, is likely to affect their economic behavior or which for those reasons, injures or is likely to injure a competitor.” Comparative advertising is defined as “advertising which explicitly or by implication identifies a competitor or goods or services by a competitor.” EU member states may also authorize more extensive protections against misleading or comparative advertising through national legislation. According to the European Council’s Directive on the Sale of Consumer Goods and Associated Guarantees (1999/44/EC), product specifications presented in advertising are legally binding on the seller.
The EU Directive on Unfair Commercial Practices (2005/29/EC) prohibits several aggressive or deceptive marketing and advertising practices, including pyramid schemes, “liquidation sales” when a business is not actually closing down, and artificially high prices as the basis to offer discounts. The Directive also regulates advertising directed toward children. Additional in the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD).
Medical Advertising
Per European Council Directive 2001/83/EC, as amended by Directive 2004/27/EC, advertising medicinal products or prescription drugs is generally forbidden in the EU without market authorization. EU directives prohibit advertisers from distributing free samples of pharmaceuticals to the general public or recommending therapeutic self-medication where such medication is not suitable. Advertising text must be compatible with the characteristics listed on the product label and should encourage the product’s responsible use. Advertising of medicinal products directed toward medical professionals should include information on the product’s essential characteristics and appropriate classifications. Pharmaceutical companies and representatives are prohibited from offering inducements to physicians or medical professionals to prescribe or supply a particular medical product, and the provision of free samples to physicians and medical professionals is limited.
Nutrition and Health Claims
EU Regulation 1924/2006 dictates EU-wide criteria for product nutrition claims such as “low fat” or “high in vitamin C,” as well as health claims such as “helps lower cholesterol.” These regulations apply to any food or drink product produced for human consumption marketed in the EU. Only foods meeting certain nutrient profiles (for example, certain levels of salt, sugar, and/or fat content) may carry such claims. Manufacturers and marketers may only include such nutrition and health claims on food labels if they are on one of the EU’s positive lists. Food products carrying such claims must comply with the provisions of the EU’s nutritional labeling directive 90/496/EC and subsequent amendments.
Per EU directives, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) authorizes on a case-by-case basis functional health claims, disease reduction claims, and claims related to the health and development of children for particular products to be marketed in the EU, following the submission of a scientific dossier. Health claims based on new scientific data must be submitted to EFSA for evaluation, although simplified authorization procedures have been established. Additional information is available at http://www.efsa.europa.eu/.
Food Information to Consumers
EU Directive 1169/2011 regulates food labeling and nutrition declaration requirements for consumer food products.
Food Supplements
EU Regulation 1925/2006 harmonizes rules on the addition of vitamins and minerals to foods and lists the vitamins and minerals that may be added to foods. This list was most recently revised in November 2009. The EU has yet to develop a positive list of substances other than vitamins and minerals that may be added to consumer food products. Until then, member state laws will govern the use of these substances.
Tobacco
The EU Tobacco Advertising Directive bans tobacco advertising in printed media, radio, and internet as well as the sponsorship of cross-border events or activities, while tobacco advertising on television has been banned since the 1990s per the EU’s TV Without Frontiers Directive. Advertising in cinemas, on billboards, and through merchandising is allowed, although several member states limit or prohibit these mediums as well. The EU revised the Tobacco Products Directive in 2014 to require plain packaging and larger, double-sided health pictorial warnings on cigarette packaging.
Media Outlets
Slovenia’s major newspapers include Delo (circulation 43,800), Dnevnik (ciculation 31,650), Slovenske Novice (circulation 78,000), and Vecer (circulation 31,000). Newspapers and magazines are used most often for print as well as internet-based advertising on their webpages. Major business periodicals include Finance, (circulation 7,000), Manager (circulation 10,000), Podjetnik, and Slovenian Business Report.
Major television stations include Radio Televizija Slovenija, PLANET TV, and POP TV. Proreklam Europlakat is the major “outdoor” advertiser for billboards and bus stations. The EU’s Audiovisual Media Services Directive regulates television broadcasting activities within the EU. Television advertising is limited to 12 minutes per hour. The Directive also limits junk food advertising during television programming for children.
Trade and Business Fairs
A list of upcoming business and trade fairs in Slovenia in 2018-19.
Fair grounds that organize trade shows include:
• Ljubljana Fair Grounds
Upcoming events
• Celje Fair grounds
Upcoming events
• Portoroz
• Gornja Ragdona
Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.
Truth in Advertising
The EU Directive on Misleading and Comparative Advertising establishes minimum and objective criteria regarding truth in advertising, including comparative advertising. Per the Directive, misleading advertising is defined as “any advertising which in any way, including its presentation, deceives or is likely to deceive the persons to whom it is addressed or whom it reaches and which, by reason of its deceptive nature, is likely to affect their economic behavior or which for those reasons, injures or is likely to injure a competitor.” Comparative advertising is defined as “advertising which explicitly or by implication identifies a competitor or goods or services by a competitor.” EU member states may also authorize more extensive protections against misleading or comparative advertising through national legislation. According to the European Council’s Directive on the Sale of Consumer Goods and Associated Guarantees (1999/44/EC), product specifications presented in advertising are legally binding on the seller.
The EU Directive on Unfair Commercial Practices (2005/29/EC) prohibits several aggressive or deceptive marketing and advertising practices, including pyramid schemes, “liquidation sales” when a business is not actually closing down, and artificially high prices as the basis to offer discounts. The Directive also regulates advertising directed toward children. Additional in the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD).
Medical Advertising
Per European Council Directive 2001/83/EC, as amended by Directive 2004/27/EC, advertising medicinal products or prescription drugs is generally forbidden in the EU without market authorization. EU directives prohibit advertisers from distributing free samples of pharmaceuticals to the general public or recommending therapeutic self-medication where such medication is not suitable. Advertising text must be compatible with the characteristics listed on the product label and should encourage the product’s responsible use. Advertising of medicinal products directed toward medical professionals should include information on the product’s essential characteristics and appropriate classifications. Pharmaceutical companies and representatives are prohibited from offering inducements to physicians or medical professionals to prescribe or supply a particular medical product, and the provision of free samples to physicians and medical professionals is limited.
Nutrition and Health Claims
EU Regulation 1924/2006 dictates EU-wide criteria for product nutrition claims such as “low fat” or “high in vitamin C,” as well as health claims such as “helps lower cholesterol.” These regulations apply to any food or drink product produced for human consumption marketed in the EU. Only foods meeting certain nutrient profiles (for example, certain levels of salt, sugar, and/or fat content) may carry such claims. Manufacturers and marketers may only include such nutrition and health claims on food labels if they are on one of the EU’s positive lists. Food products carrying such claims must comply with the provisions of the EU’s nutritional labeling directive 90/496/EC and subsequent amendments.
Per EU directives, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) authorizes on a case-by-case basis functional health claims, disease reduction claims, and claims related to the health and development of children for particular products to be marketed in the EU, following the submission of a scientific dossier. Health claims based on new scientific data must be submitted to EFSA for evaluation, although simplified authorization procedures have been established. Additional information is available at http://www.efsa.europa.eu/.
Food Information to Consumers
EU Directive 1169/2011 regulates food labeling and nutrition declaration requirements for consumer food products.
Food Supplements
EU Regulation 1925/2006 harmonizes rules on the addition of vitamins and minerals to foods and lists the vitamins and minerals that may be added to foods. This list was most recently revised in November 2009. The EU has yet to develop a positive list of substances other than vitamins and minerals that may be added to consumer food products. Until then, member state laws will govern the use of these substances.
Tobacco
The EU Tobacco Advertising Directive bans tobacco advertising in printed media, radio, and internet as well as the sponsorship of cross-border events or activities, while tobacco advertising on television has been banned since the 1990s per the EU’s TV Without Frontiers Directive. Advertising in cinemas, on billboards, and through merchandising is allowed, although several member states limit or prohibit these mediums as well. The EU revised the Tobacco Products Directive in 2014 to require plain packaging and larger, double-sided health pictorial warnings on cigarette packaging.
Media Outlets
Slovenia’s major newspapers include Delo (circulation 43,800), Dnevnik (ciculation 31,650), Slovenske Novice (circulation 78,000), and Vecer (circulation 31,000). Newspapers and magazines are used most often for print as well as internet-based advertising on their webpages. Major business periodicals include Finance, (circulation 7,000), Manager (circulation 10,000), Podjetnik, and Slovenian Business Report.
Major television stations include Radio Televizija Slovenija, PLANET TV, and POP TV. Proreklam Europlakat is the major “outdoor” advertiser for billboards and bus stations. The EU’s Audiovisual Media Services Directive regulates television broadcasting activities within the EU. Television advertising is limited to 12 minutes per hour. The Directive also limits junk food advertising during television programming for children.
Trade and Business Fairs
A list of upcoming business and trade fairs in Slovenia in 2018-19.
Fair grounds that organize trade shows include:
• Ljubljana Fair Grounds
Upcoming events
• Celje Fair grounds
Upcoming events
• Portoroz
• Gornja Ragdona
Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.