2. U – suitable for all
Stands for ‘Universal’ and is suitable for ages four and older.
Discrimination
No discriminatory language or behaviour.
Drugs
No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse, unless infrequent and
innocuous, or there is a clear educational purpose or anti-drug
message.
Horror
Scary sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to cause anxiety. The
outcome should be reassuring.
Imitable Behaviour
No potentially dangerous behaviour which young children could copy.
No emphasis on realistic weapons.
Language
Infrequent use only of very mild bad language.
Nudity and Sex
Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual content. Mild sexual
behaviour (kissing) and references only to ‘making love’.
Theme
Problematic themes must be treated sensitively and appropriately.
Violence
Mild violence only, occasional mild threat or menace.
3. PG – parental guidance
Stands for general viewing but some scenes may be unsuitable for
younger children.
Discrimination
No discriminatory language or behaviour unless in an educational or
historical context.
Drugs
References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be innocuous, or carry
a suitable anti-drug message.
Horror
Frightening sequences shouldn’t be prolonged or intense.
Imitable Behaviour
No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which young children
could copy. No glamorisation of realistic weapons.
Language
Mild bad language only.
Nudity and Sex
Natural nudity, with no sexual content. Sexual activity may be implied
but should be discreet and infrequent. Mild sex references and
innuendo only.
Theme
Where more serious issues are featured nothing in their treatment
should condone unacceptable behaviour.
Violence
Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed if justified by
context.
4. 12A & 12 – suitable for 12 years and over
Anyone over 12 can see the film unaccompanied, but children under 12
must be accompanied by an adult.
Discrimination
Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed and
aggressive language and behaviour is unacceptable.
Drugs
Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised
or give instructional detail.
Horror
Moderate physical and psychological threat is permitted but disturbing
sequences must not be frequent or sustained.
Imitable Behaviour
Dangerous behaviour (self-harm) shouldn’t dwell on detail or appear
pain/harm free. Weapons should not be glamorised.
Language
Moderate language is allowed and the use strong language must be
infrequent.
Nudity and Sex
Nudity is allowed but sexual context must be brief and discreet. Sexual
activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Crude references are
unacceptable.
Theme
Mature themes are acceptable but must be made suitable for young
teenagers.
Violence
Moderate violence is allowed but shouldn’t dwell on detail with no
emphasis on blood /injuries and occasional gory moments. Sexual
violence may only be briefly implied and must have strong contextual
justification.
5. 15 – suitable for 15 years and over
No-one under 15 is allowed to watch, buy or rent the film.
Discrimination
Discriminatory language or behaviour is permitted but must not be
endorsed.
Drugs
Drug taking can be shown but must not be promoted. The misuse of
accessible and highly dangerous substances (aerosols) is unacceptable.
Horror
Strong threat and menace is permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.
Imitable Behaviour
Dangerous behaviour shouldn’t dwell on detail which could be copied.
Weapons should not be glamorised.
Language
Frequent use of strong language is allowed and the use of the strongest
terms may be used occasionally if justified.
Nudity and Sex
Nudity is allowed in a sexual context without strong details. No
constraints in a non-sexual or educational context. Sexual activity may
be portrayed without strong detail. Strong verbal references are
permitted. If primary purpose is sexual arousal/stimulation it is
unacceptable.
Theme
No theme is prohibited, provided it is appropriate.
Violence
Violence may be strong but shouldn’t dwell on the infliction or pain
/injury. The strongest gory images and sadistic or sexual violence is
unacceptable . There may be detailed verbal references to sexual
violence but if portrayed it muse be discreet and have strong contextual
justification.
6. 18 – suitable for 18 years and over
No-one under 18 is allowed to watch, buy or rent the film.
Adults should be free to choose their own entertainment .
Exceptions are most likely in the following area:
•Where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been
created through the commission of criminal offence.
•Where material or treatment appears to risk harm to individuals or to
society – for example, detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts.
This may include portrayals off sexual or sexualised violence which
might endorse sexual assault.
•Where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot
be justified by context.
In the case of video works (including video games), which
may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may
be more frequent than for cinema films.
Sex Education
Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in human
sexuality, safe sex and health, explicit images may be permitted.
Sex Works
The primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works
containing only material which may be stimulated are generally passed
18. Clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit
animated images, and other very strong sexual images are
unacceptable. Material which is unacceptable at R18 is also
unacceptable in 18.
7. R18 – adult works for licensed premises only
To be shown only in specially licensed cinemas and supplied only in
licensed sex shops to adults of nothing less than 18 years.
The following content is not acceptable:
•Any material which is in breach of the criminal law.
•Material likely to encourage an interest in sexually abusive activity
which may include adults role-playing as non-adults.
•The portrayal of any sexual activity which involves lack of consent and
any form of physical restraint which prevents participants from
indicating a withdrawal of consent.
•The infliction of pain or acts which may cause lasting physical harm,
whether real or stimulated. Some allowance may be made for
moderate, non-abusive, consensual activity.
•Penetration by any object associated with violence or likely to cause
physical harm.
•Any sexual threats, humiliation or abuse which does not form part of a
clearly consenting role-playing game. Strong physical or verbal abuse,
even if consensual, is unlikely to be accepted.
These guidelines will be applied to the same standard
regardless of sexual orientation.
