Definition
An email pre-send compliance check is a systematic verification performed before every campaign send to ensure the message meets legal and regulatory requirements. It validates that all recipients have current consent, that suppression lists (unsubscribes, hard bounces, spam complaints) are applied, that the email includes a compliant unsubscribe mechanism and physical postal address, that subject lines are not deceptive, and that content complies with applicable regulations like CAN-SPAM, GDPR, CASL, and CCPA.
Checklist
- Consent verification for all recipient segments
- Suppression list application (unsubscribes, bounces, complaints)
- Unsubscribe link placement and functionality
- Physical mailing address inclusion
- Subject line accuracy (no deception)
- Sender identification (from name, from address)
- Preheader compliance with content requirements
- CAN-SPAM, GDPR, CASL specific requirements by jurisdiction
Best Practices
- Automate compliance checks within the campaign approval workflow so they cannot be skipped
- Maintain jurisdiction-specific checklists based on each recipient segment's location
- Log compliance check results for audit purposes
- Review and update checklists when regulations change rather than annually
Related Glossary Terms
Bounce Rate
Email bounce rate is the percentage of emails that were rejected by the receiving server before reaching the recipient. It is a key indicator of list health and data quality.
Email Account Health Score
A composite metric that evaluates the overall health of an email sending programme based on deliverability, engagement, list quality, and compliance factors.
Email Anti-Spam Laws
Overview of global anti-spam regulations including CAN-SPAM, CASL, GDPR, the Australian Spam Act, and POPIA with compliance requirements for each jurisdiction.
Australia Spam Act
Australia's Spam Act 2003 regulates commercial electronic messages including email. It requires consent, functional unsubscribe mechanisms within 5 working days, and sender identification. Penalties reach AUD $2.22 million per day.
Email B2B Consent
The legal requirements for B2B email marketing consent, covering GDPR legitimate interest, CASL implied consent, CAN-SPAM exemptions, and jurisdiction-specific best practices.
Email CASL
Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation requirements for commercial electronic messages, including consent types, record-keeping, and penalties up to $10 million per violation.