2. Universal- suitable for everyone
• Only allowed to use infrequent,
mild, bad language such as
“damn” and “hell”
• Characters may kiss or cuddle
and references to sexual
behaviour but there must be no
innuendoes or explicit focus on
sexual behaviour
• No references to illegal drugs or
drug misuse
• Must be suitable for a young
audience
• There must be no bad behaviour
that young children would be
likely to copy
• Mild violence and characters
resolve moments of threat and
3. PG – Parental Guidance
• Will not contain any
issues that are
unsuitable for
children, but they may
explore a slightly
more mature theme
• They will not upset
anyone who is 8 or
over
• Mild bad language,
without an aggressive
delivery
4. 12A/ 12 – unsuitable for children under
12 unless accompanied by and adult.
• 12a is normally used when rating
films on the cinema but the 12 rating
is used for DVD/Blu-Ray as this is
easier for retailers
• There is some strong language, but it
will be mild
• There maybe verbal references to sex
and sex maybe quickly portrayed and
comedy may lessen the impact of
sexual references
• There may be moderate violence but
it will not dwell on the detail
• Some horror films maybe passed as a
12 as some moderate physical and
psychological treat is allowed the
over tone of the film can’t be
threatening.
• There maybe some reference to
suicide but anti-social behaviour
should not be endorsed and the use
5. 15- Suitable for people 15 and older
• Lots of strong language, there maybe
the occasional uses of the strongest
terms depending on how they hare
being used.
• Strong violence, will not reside on the
infliction of pain or injury.
• Sexual activity and nudity can be
displayed without strong detail
• Verbal references to sex but not crude
ones unless justified
• Discriminatory language or behaviour,
there maybe racist, homophobic or
any other discriminatory language, the
film could explore themes within
these topics but overall it must not be
endorsed in the film
• Drug taking, though not instructional
or the use of easily accessible drugs
• Horror maybe shown as long as it is
not of a sadistic or sexualised threat
