regulation of film

The BBFC ( British Board of Film Classification ) are a independent, self-financing and not-for-profit media content regulator. They operate transparent, consistent and trusted co-regulatory and self-regulatory classification and labelling systems in the UK. They try to

• protect  the public, and especially children, from content which might raise harm risks

• empower the public, especially parents, to make informed viewing choices

• recognise and respect adult freedom of choice within the law

• respond to and reflect changing social attitudes towards media content through proactive public consultation and research

• provide a cost-effective, efficient classification service within our statutory remit

• work in partnership with the industry to develop innovative service models to provide content advice which support emerging media delivery systems
• provide an effective service to enforcement agencies

They do this by almost categorizing all of the films submitted to them into these categories

• U   -   Suitable for all
• PG   -   Parental guidance
• 12A   -   suitable for ages 12 and over
• 12   -   suitable for ages 12 and over
• 15   -   suitable for ages 15 and over
• 18   -   suitable for adults only
• R18   -   To be shown only specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults of not less than 18 years.