Industry self regulation for content

In 1993 the UK games industry called in the Video standards Council (VSC) to set up a voluntary age rating system, to cover the rating of games exempt from legal classification under the Video Recordings Act. 90% of all titles released on to the market are exempt from legal classification.

After nine years of successfully providing reassurance to parents and sheltering publishers from statutory interference, the system has been replaced in the spring of 2003 by a pan-European voluntary scheme that will be run by The Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE), our industry's European body. The new system, Pan European Games Information PEGI, which has largely been modelled on the ELSPA system, will provide for the first time ever, a unified content rating system for any audiovisual sector that will be adopted in most of the European states of the EEC. For further information visit www.pegi.info

Online ratings and pegi online

PEGI Online is a new addition to the PEGI system. Its purpose is to give young people in Europe better protection against unsuitable gaming content and to help parents understand the risks and potential for harm within this environment.

PEGI Online is based on four cornerstones:

- the PEGI Online Safety Code and Framework Contract which is signed by all participants
- the PEGI Online Logo which will be displayed by holders of a licence
- our dedicated website for applicants and for the general public (www.pegionline.eu)
- an independent administration, advice and dispute settlement process.

The licence to display the PEGI Online Logo is granted by the PEGI Online Administrator to any online gameplay service provider that meets the requirements set out in the PEGI Online Safety Code (POSC). These requirements include the obligation to keep the website free from illegal and offensive content created by users and any undesirable links, as well as measures for the protection of young people and their privacy when engaging in online gameplay.

The PEGI Online Logo will appear on the packaging of the game if sold on a CD/DVD or on the game website itself. The Logo will show whether the game can be played online, and also whether the particular game or site is under the control of an operator that cares about protecting young people.

Games that are not played online but on consoles or on a PC will continue to be rated under the current PEGI system or other recognized European rating systems already in place.

Click here for more information or go to http://www.pegionline.eu/en/index/ to view the site.

age ratings interactive guide