The British Board of Film Classification (The BBFC)

The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) is a British organization that is responsible for rating and classifying films, videos, and other content that is distributed in the United Kingdom. The BBFC assigns age ratings to films based on their content, such as U (Universal), PG (Parental Guidance), 12A (12 and over), 15 (15 and over), 18 (18 and over), and R18 (restricted to adults 18 and over). These ratings are intended to help consumers, particularly parents, make informed decisions about the content they allow their children to watch. The BBFC also has guidelines that outline the types of content that are acceptable at each rating level. The organization also provides information and resources to help educate the public about film ratings and classification.

From the BBFC:

At the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), our focus is on helping children and families choose well by providing them with the guidance they need to help them choose what’s right for them and avoid what’s not.

With the huge growth in film, video and online content, and in how and where we can watch and use it, this is becoming more important than ever.

Through our experience, regular consultations and research, we are careful to reflect the views of people right across the country. We understand what matters to families and apply this knowledge in setting our standards.

The BBFC claim to take the integrity and impartiality of their work very seriously and over the more than 100 years of their history, have increasingly come to be recognized as the go-to guide that Britishy people can trust.

The structure of the BBFC and its management is designed to both reflect and reinforce this.

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is
an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit,
co-regulatory body. Our classification function is
funded through fees charged to those who submit
films and video works for classification.

We classify:
● films, trailers and advertisements on behalf of
local authorities who license cinemas under the
Licensing Act 2003 1
● video works distributed on physical media under
the Video Recordings Act 1984
● video works which are distributed over the
internet under a voluntary, self-regulatory service
● commercial and internet content distributed
via mobile networks under a voluntary, self-
regulatory service
Our Classification Guidelines follow an extensive
public consultation to which more than 10,000
people contribute across the UK, as well as other
research, expert advice and our accumulated
experience over many years. The Guidelines, and
our practice in applying them, pay particular
attention to changes in public taste, attitudes and
concerns, and changes in the law. They also
take account of new evidence from research and
expert sources. The Guidelines are reviewed
every four to five years, and how we apply them
is reviewed when necessary

We take responsibility for the Guidelines and for
their interpretation. This responsibility is subject
to the normal considerations of fairness and
reasonableness.
Here, and throughout the Guidelines, video
works are taken to include films and programmes
released on DVD or Blu-ray, or distributed by
means of download or streaming on the internet.
The Guidelines cannot be a comprehensive
account of everything that may at any time be
of concern. If issues arise which are not
specifically covered here, they will be dealt with
by us on their merits and in line with the
standards expressed and implied in these
Guidelines. The Guidelines are not a legal
document and should be interpreted in the spirit
of what is intended as well as in the letter.
We will provide guidance on the interpretation
of these Guidelines on request and their
application to particular films