Certificate ratings provide guidelines for the content in films based on their rating. There are several categories: Universal films (U) can contain mild language and raise no significant issues, though some are aimed at adults. Parental Guidance films (PG) are generally suitable for all, but may contain violence portrayed without injury details or racist content. Films rated 12A allow moderate language and briefly discreet depictions of sex/nudity as well as moderate undetailed violence including in horror films. 15 rated films can show more explicit sex, violence, language, but not the strongest gore; 18 rated films are only for adults and can contain very strong content including language, violence and explicit sex.

1. Certificate ratings

2. U
• Universal ratings are intended for showing to all
ages
• Allow mild language use such as damn and hell
• Raise no significant issues to terms of
drugs, sex, violence etc.
• Some films rated U are intended for adults as
they do not contain strong language or issues. So
not all universal films are planned for children

3. PG
• Parental Guidance are suitable for general filming.
Some are not suitable for children but parents should
consider wether their children watch the films
• PG have not been made with younger audience in
mind.
• Are able to explore the use of violence with some
blood scenes, with no detail to injury. Racism may be
viewed.
• Allows language such as shit or son of a bitch.
References to sex drugs are also allowed in Parental
Guidance film.

4. 12 & 12a
• The 12 certificate is for use of DVDs, Blu-Rays and videos.
• No lower age limit for 12a certificate films however they
are not recommended for younger children to see.
• Moderate language use such as bitch and twat are allowed
in 12 and 12a although language use of f*** may be of use
• Portray sex and nudity briefly and discreetly
• Moderate violence may be shown but should not be
detailed
• Horror film may pass in this category. Moderate threat may
be permitted with no disturbing viewing.
• Our film genre may also pass this category as their will be
sequence to violence but would not be portrayed with
detail.

5. 15
• Not suitable and should not be shown to children under the age of
15.
• Many sequences to acts are shown such as
sex, violence, nudity, drug use, frequent strong language etc.
• May be discriminatory racist and homophobic use, but must not
validate discriminatory language and behaviour
• Sexual activity can be portrayed with no strong or graphical detail.
May include nudity and movement.
• Violence may be strong, but should not include the strongest gory
which would be include in 18 certificate rating
• Many horror films are 15, with strong threat and menace.
• Potential dangers and harm such as hanging and suicidal threats
should not dwell on detail.

6. 18
• Suitable only for adults, no under 18s should
see an 18 at cinemas nor buy/rent DVDs.
• Strong issues can be portrayred such as very
strong language, strong violence, blood and
gore, strong sexual activity.
• No limit to language use