Version
1
URI:
This rating system has been adopted in these regions for the
specified usage:
Age Restrictions
Min Recommend Age: |
4 |
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): |
N.A.
|
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): |
N.A.
|
Attributes
HAC Usage: |
Y
|
HAC Ordinal: |
1 |
Localized Definitions
Universal
(
EN
)
Suitable for all
Reasons and Content Descriptors
Explanation
A U film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over, although it is impossible to predict what might upset
any particular child. U films should be set within a positive framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any
violence, threat or horror.
Age Restrictions
Min Recommend Age: |
8 |
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): |
N.A.
|
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): |
N.A.
|
Attributes
HAC Usage: |
Y
|
HAC Ordinal: |
3 |
Localized Definitions
Parental Guidance
(
EN
)
General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children
Reasons and Content Descriptors
Explanation
A PG film should not unsettle a child aged around eight or older. Unaccompanied children of any age may watch, but parents
are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.
Age Restrictions
Min Recommend Age: |
12 |
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): |
N.A.
|
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): |
12 |
Attributes
HAC Usage: |
N
|
HAC Ordinal: |
6 |
Localized Definitions
Accompanied under 12
(
EN
)
Suitable for 12 years and over
Scope of Usage:
The applicability of this rating has been restricted as follows:
Region |
Distribution media |
Viewing Environments |
UNITED KINGDOM |
-
Film
-
|
-
Theater
-
|
Reasons and Content Descriptors
Explanation
Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under
12. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. Adults planning to take a child
under 12 to view a 12A film should consider whether the film is suitable for that child. To help them decide, we recommend
that they check the ratings info for that film in advance.
Age Restrictions
Min Recommend Age: |
12 |
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): |
N.A.
|
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): |
12 |
Attributes
HAC Usage: |
Y
|
HAC Ordinal: |
6 |
Localized Definitions
12 and Older
(
EN
)
Suitable for 12 years and over
Scope of Usage:
The applicability of this rating has been restricted as follows:
Region |
Distribution media |
Viewing Environments |
UNITED KINGDOM |
all
|
-
Home
-
Broadcast
-
Retail
-
App
-
other
-
|
Reasons and Content Descriptors
Explanation
Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under
12. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. Adults planning to take a child
under 12 to view a 12A film should consider whether the film is suitable for that child. To help them decide, we recommend
that they check the ratings info for that film in advance.No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a 12 rated video work.
Age Restrictions
Min Recommend Age: |
15 |
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): |
15 |
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): |
15 |
Attributes
HAC Usage: |
Y
|
HAC Ordinal: |
9 |
Localized Definitions
15 and Older
(
EN
)
Suitable only for 15 years and over
Reasons and Content Descriptors
Explanation
No one younger than 15 may see a 15 film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated video work
Age Restrictions
Min Recommend Age: |
18 |
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): |
18 |
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): |
18 |
Attributes
HAC Usage: |
Y
|
HAC Ordinal: |
80 |
Localized Definitions
18 and Older
(
EN
)
Suitable only for adults
Reasons and Content Descriptors
Explanation
No one younger than 18 may see an 18 film in a cinema.
No one younger than 18 may rent or buy an 18 rated video work
Adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:
Where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence
Where material or treatment appears to us to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society. For example,
the detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals.
This may include portrayals of sadistic violence, rape or other non-consensual sexually violent behaviour which make this
violence look appealing; reinforce the suggestion that victims enjoy rape or other non-consensual sexually violent behaviour;
or which invite viewer complicity in rape, other non-consensual sexually violent behaviour or other harmful violent activities
Where there are more explicit images of sexual activity in the context of a sex work (see right)In the case of video works,
which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films.
|
Age Restrictions
Min Recommend Age: |
18 |
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): |
18 |
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): |
18 |
Attributes
HAC Usage: |
Y
|
HAC Ordinal: |
90 |
Localized Definitions
RESTRICTED 18 and Older
(
EN
)
To be shown only in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults only
Reasons and Content Descriptors
Explanation
The R18 category is a special and legally-restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong
fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be
supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops. R18 video works may not be supplied by mail order.
The following content is not acceptable:
Material which is in breach of the criminal law, including material judged to be obscene under the current interpretation
of the Obscene Publications Act 1959 (see Annexe – legal considerations)
Material (including dialogue) likely to encourage an interest in sexually abusive activity which may include adults role-playing
as non-adults
The portrayal of sexual activity which involves real or apparent lack of consent. Any form of physical restraint which prevents
participants from indicating a withdrawal of consent
The infliction of pain or acts which are likely to cause serious physical harm, whether real or (in a sexual context) simulated.
Some allowance may be made for non-abusive, consensual activity
Penetration by any object likely to cause physical harm
Sexual threats, humiliation or abuse which do not form part of a clearly consenting role-playing game
U
:
Potentially dangerous or anti-social behaviour which young children may copy must be clearly disapproved of or be presented
unrealistically. No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons.
Not provided
PG
:
Discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of, or in an educational or historical
context, or in a particularly dated work with no likely appeal to children. Discrimination by a character with whom children
can readily identify is unlikely to be acceptable.
Not provided
12A
:
Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language or behaviour
is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned.
Not provided
12
:
Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language or behaviour
is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned.
Not provided
15
:
The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour, although there may be racist, homophobic or other
discriminatory themes and language.
Not provided
U
:
References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be infrequent and innocuous, or have a clear educational purpose or anti-drug
message suitable for young children.
Not provided
PG
:
References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be innocuous or carry a suitable anti-drug message.
Not provided
12A
:
Misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or give detailed instruction.
Not provided
12
:
Misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or give detailed instruction.
Not provided
15
:
Drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse (for example, through detailed
instruction). The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely
to be acceptable.
Not provided
U
:
Scary or potentially unsettling sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to cause undue anxiety to young children. The
outcome should be reassuring.
Not provided
PG
:
Frightening sequences or situations where characters are in danger should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings and
comedy may be mitigating factors.
Not provided
12A
:
There may be moderate physical and psychological threat and horror sequences. Although some scenes may be disturbing, the
overall tone should not be. Horror sequences should not be frequent or sustained.
Not provided
12
:
There may be moderate physical and psychological threat and horror sequences. Although some scenes may be disturbing, the
overall tone should not be. Horror sequences should not be frequent or sustained.
Not provided
15
:
Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.
Not provided
U
:
Potentially dangerous or anti-social behaviour which young children may copy must be clearly disapproved of or be presented
unrealistically. No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons.
Not provided
PG
:
No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy, if that behaviour is presented as safe
or fun. No glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons such as knives. No focus on anti-social behaviour which
young children are likely to copy
Not provided
12A
:
No promotion of potentially dangerous behaviour which children are likely to copy. No glamorisation of realistic or easily
accessible weapons such as knives. No endorsement of anti-social behaviour.
Not provided
12
:
No promotion of potentially dangerous behaviour which children are likely to copy. No glamorisation of realistic or easily
accessible weapons such as knives. No endorsement of anti-social behaviour.
Not provided
15
:
Dangerous behaviour (for example, suicide, self-harming and asphyxiation) should not dwell on detail which could be copied.
Whether the depiction of easily accessible weapons is acceptable will depend on factors such as realism, context and setting.
Not provided
U
:
Infrequent use only of very mild bad language.
Not provided
PG
:
Mild bad language only. Aggressive or very frequent use of mild bad language may result in a work being passed at a higher
category.
Not provided
12A
:
There may be moderate bad language. Strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is
using the language, its frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification.
Not provided
12
:
There may be moderate bad language. Strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is
using the language, its frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification.
Not provided
15
:
There may be strong language. Very strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using
the language, its frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification.
Not provided
U
:
Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context.
Not provided
PG
:
Natural nudity, with no sexual context.
Not provided
12A
:
There may be nudity, but in a sexual context it must be brief and discreet.
Not provided
12
:
There may be nudity, but in a sexual context it must be brief and discreet.
Not provided
15
:
There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. Sexual nudity may be permitted but strong detail
is likely to be brief or presented in a comic context.
Not provided
U
:
Mild sexual behaviour (for example, kissing) and references only (for example, to ‘making love’).
Not provided
PG
:
Sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent. Mild sex references and innuendo only.
Not provided
12A
:
Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Moderate sex references are permitted, but frequent crude references
are unlikely to be acceptable.
Not provided
12
:
Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Moderate sex references are permitted, but frequent crude references
are unlikely to be acceptable.
Not provided
15
:
Sexual activity may be portrayed, but usually without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour.
Repeated very strong references, particularly those using pornographic language, are unlikely to be acceptable. Works whose
primary purpose is sexual arousal are unacceptable.
Not provided
U
:
While problematic themes may be present, their treatment must be sensitive and appropriate for young children.
Not provided
PG
:
Where more serious issues are featured (for example, domestic violence) nothing in their treatment should condone unacceptable
behaviour.
Not provided
12A
:
Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.
Not provided
12
:
Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.
Not provided
15
:
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.
Not provided
U
:
Mild violence only. Occasional mild threat or menace only.
Not provided
PG
:
Violence will usually be mild. However, there may be moderate violence, without detail, if justified by its context (for
example, history, comedy or fantasy).
Not provided
12A
:
There may be moderate violence but it should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional
gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context.
Not provided
12
:
There may be moderate violence but it should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional
gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context.
Not provided
15
:
Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to
be acceptable. Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be acceptable.
Not provided
18
:
Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing only material which may be
simulated are generally passed 18. Sex works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit
animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the R18 category. Material which is unacceptable in
a sex work at R18 is also unacceptable in a sex work at 18.
Not provided