The BBFC currently issues the following certificates. The category logos were introduced in December 2002, replacing the previous ones that had been in place since 1982.
Universal
All ages admitted, there is nothing unsuitable for children over 4.
It is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. But a ‘U’ film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. ‘U’ films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror. The standard rules for a film to be ‘U’ are:
· No discriminatory language or behavior unless clearly disapproved of.
· No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse unless they are infrequent and innocent, or there is a clear educational purpose or anti-drug message suitable for young children.
· Scary sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to cause undue anxiety to young children. The outcome should be reassuring.
· No potentially dangerous behavior which young children are likely to copy. No emphasis on realistic or easily available weapons.
· Infrequent use only of very mild bad language.
· Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context.
· Mild sexual behavior (for example, kissing) and references only (for example, to ‘making love’).
· While challenging themes may be present, their treatment must be sensitive and appropriate for young children.
Mild violence only. Occasional mild threat or menace only.
All ages admitted, but certain scenes may be unsuitable for children under 8
Parental Guidance - General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children
Children of any age are allowed to watch ‘PG’ films without being accompanied by a parent or guardian. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older; however parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.
· Discriminatory language or behavior is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of or in an educational or historical context. Discrimination by a character with which children can willingly identify is unlikely to be acceptable.
· References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be harmless or carry a suitable anti-drug message.
· Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings may be a explanatory factor.
· No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy. No glamorisation of realistic or easily available weapons.
· Mild bad language only.
· Natural nudity, with no sexual context.
· Sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and rare. Mild sex references and innuendo only.
· Where more serious issues are featured (for example, domestic violence) nothing in their treatment should overlook unacceptable behaviour.
· Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed, if justified by its context (for example, history, comedy or fantasy).
Films under this category are considered to be unsuitable for very young people. Those aged under 12 years are only admitted if accompanied by an adult, aged at least 18 years, at all times during the motion picture. However, it is generally not recommended that children under 12 years should watch the film. Films under this category can contain mature themes, discrimination, soft drugs, commonly used milder swear words, and moderate violence/sex references.
Home media only since 2002. 12A-rated films are usually given a 12 certificate for the VHS/DVD version unless extra material has been added that requires a higher rating.
Nobody younger than 12 can rent or buy a 12-rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game. Films in this category may include infrequent drugs, infrequent use of strong language, brief nudity, discreet sexual activity, and moderate violence.
Suitable for 12 years and over
Exactly the same criteria are used to classify works at ‘12A’ and ‘12’. These categories are awarded where the material is suitable, in general, only for those aged 12 and over. Works classified at these categories may upset children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them.
The ‘12A’ category exists only for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult and films classified ‘12A’ are not recommended for a child below 12. An adult may take a younger child if, in their judgement, the film is suitable for that particular child.
· Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned.
· Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or give instructional detail.
· Moderate physical and psychological threat may be tolerable, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or constant.
· Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied, or appear pain or harm free. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
· Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’) must be rare.
· Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet.
· Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable.
· Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.
· Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated, and must have a strong contextual justification.
Only those over 15 years are admitted.
Nobody younger than 15 can rent or buy a 15-rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game, or watch a film in the cinema with this rating. Films under this category can contain adult themes, hard drugs, strong language, moderate-strong violence/sex references, and mild non-detailed sex activity.
Suitable only for 15 years and over
No one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.
· The work as a whole must not support discriminatory language or behaviour.
· Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.
· Strong threat and menace are permitted unless aggressive or sexualised.
· Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
· There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’). The strongest terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may be acceptable if necessary by the situation. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.
· Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.
· Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless necessary by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.
· No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.
· Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong relative justification.
This is the rating that we think is suitable to our story because the story fits in with ‘15’ criteria.
This is the rating that we think is suitable to our story because the story fits in with ‘15’ criteria.
Only adults are admitted.
Nobody younger than 18 can rent or buy an 18-rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game, or watch a film in the cinema with this rating. Films under this category do not have limitation on the bad language that is used. Hard drugs are generally allowed, and strong violence/sex references along with strong sexual activity is also allowed. Scenes of strong real sex may be permitted if justified by the context.
Suitable only for adults
No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema.
No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video.
The BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:
where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence.
Where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault.
Where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works.
Can only be shown at licensed cinemas or sold at licensed retailers or sex shops, and only to adults, those aged 18 or over. Films under this category have material the BBFC does not allow for its "18" rating, thus the violence and sex activity will be stronger in R18-rated VHSs, DVDs and films than those rated "18," however, there is still a range of material that is often cut from the R18 rating. More cuts are demanded in this category than any other category.
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