19 July 2010

ELSPA Director General seeks clarity from Minister regarding PEGI implementation

London, United Kingdom, 16th July 2010 - Michael Rawlinson, Director General of ELSPA, the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association, has today written to the Hon. Ed Vaizey MP seeking clarity on the implementation date of the PEGI classification system for videogames in the UK.

ELSPA understands that there will be a delay in implementing the Digital Economy Act’s provisions on PEGI.  It is suggested that the PEGI rating system will not to be legally enforceable until April 2011.

Mike Rawlinson pressed the Minister to clarify a firm date give the go-ahead for implementation as early as feasible in 2011, rather than waiting until the standard date for new regulations in April.  He emphasised industry concerns that any unnecessary delay could leave children unprotected and hamper efforts to proceed with a public awareness campaign for parents and families.  Rawlinson went on to state that “setting a firm date will give the industry the assurance it needs to prepare for and begin implementing an education and awareness campaign around the new ratings.” 

The PEGI age rating system was established to help European parents make informed decisions on buying computer games. It was launched in Spring 2003 and replaced a number of national age rating systems with a single system now used throughout most of Europe and beyond, in more than 30 countries. The system is supported by the major console manufacturers - Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo - as well as by third party publishers and developers of videogames throughout Europe. The age rating system was developed by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE).

Rawlinson has pledged his continued support to help the Government implement PEGI as soon as possible.

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Contacts:

For all press enquiries, please contact the ELSPA press office on T: +44 (0)20 7300 6143 or E: press@elspa.com

About ELSPA

The Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association represents all the major publishers of games in the UK. Founded in 1989 to establish a specific and collective identity for the country’s interactive leisure software industry, membership includes companies publishing and distributing leisure software in the UK. As a gateway to Europe, ELSPA works to protect, promote and provide for the interests of all its members as well as addressing issues that affect the industry as a whole such as age ratings, child safety and IP protection.

ELSPA works with members and media to illustrate the beneficial contributions that the UK videogames industry makes to the British economy as well as its influence in other industries. In addition ELSPA works with GfK Chart-Track to compile weekly, monthly and annual charts and sales reports for the UK market.

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