Download to read offline
Uploaded byRachel Williams
Certification guidelines
This document outlines the certification guidelines for different age ratings from the BBFC. It provides information on what types of content are acceptable and at what level of intensity for ratings of U, PG, 12A, 12, 15, 18, R18. Content addressed includes discrimination, drugs, horror, imitable behavior, language, nudity/sex, themes, and violence. The guidelines specify what increases in intensity of content is permitted at each rating level to ensure age-appropriate content for viewers of different ages.
More Related Content
Similar to Certification guidelines
Certification guidelines
- 1.
- 2. U – suitablefor 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 – parentalguidance 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 – suitablefor 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 – suitablefor 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 – adultworks 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.