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 |
Definition
U
:
Universal
A U film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. However, it is
impossible to predict what might upset a particular child, especially at this lower
end of the category range.
Reasons and Content Descriptors
Explanation
Not provided
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 |
Definition
PG
:
Parental Guidance
Film is suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for younger
children. A PG film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older.
Reasons and Content Descriptors
Explanation
Parents should consider whether the content might upset younger or more sensitive
children. Some films are given a PG certificate but have not been made with a young
audience in mind. However, the certificate means that any issues in the work are appropriate
for the majority of this age group and nothing should upset a child of eight or over.
12A
:
Accompanied under 12
Age Restrictions
Min Recommend Age: |
12 |
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): |
N.A.
|
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): |
12 |
Attributes
HAC Usage: |
N
|
HAC Ordinal: |
6 |
Definition
12A
:
Accompanied under 12
Children younger than 12 may see the film if they are accompanied by an adult (eg
someone over the age of 18), who must watch the film with them.
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
Not provided
Age Restrictions
Min Recommend Age: |
12 |
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): |
N.A.
|
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): |
12 |
Attributes
HAC Usage: |
Y
|
HAC Ordinal: |
6 |
Definition
12
:
12 and Older
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
The 12 certificate is just for videos, DVDs and Blu-rays. 12A is for films at the
cinema only.
Age Restrictions
Min Recommend Age: |
15 |
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): |
15 |
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): |
15 |
Attributes
HAC Usage: |
Y
|
HAC Ordinal: |
9 |
Definition
15
:
15 and Older
15 rated works are not suitable for children under 15 years of age. No theme is prohibited,
provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.
Reasons and Content Descriptors
Explanation
Not provided
Age Restrictions
Min Recommend Age: |
18 |
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): |
18 |
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): |
18 |
Attributes
HAC Usage: |
Y
|
HAC Ordinal: |
80 |
Definition
18
:
18 and Older
No-one under 18 is allowed to see an 18 film at the cinema or buy/rent an 18 rated
DVD. No 18 rated works are suitable for children.
Reasons and Content Descriptors
Explanation
No theme is prohibited at 18. Adults are free to pick their own entertainment within
the law, so it is possible some themes tackled at 18
may be offensive even to some adult viewers. There can be strong and detailed portrayals
of sex at 18, including full nudity.
There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. An 18 film
or DVD might also contain depictions of real sex if
it is justified by context, as long as the film or DVD is not a sex work.
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. Those 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.
R18
:
RESTRICTED 18 and Older
Age Restrictions
Min Recommend Age: |
18 |
Min Allowed Age (Supervised): |
18 |
Min Allowed Age (Unsupervised): |
18 |
Attributes
HAC Usage: |
Y
|
HAC Ordinal: |
90 |
Definition
R18
:
RESTRICTED 18 and Older
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.
Reasons and Content Descriptors
Explanation
Not provided
U
:
No discriminatory language or behaviour unless clearly disapproved of.
Not provided
PG
:
Discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly disapproved
of or in an educational or historical context. Discrimination by a character with
which children can readily identify is unlikely to be acceptable.
Not provided
U
:
No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse unless they are infrequent and innocuous,
or there is 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
U
:
Scary sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to cause undue anxiety to young
children. The outcome should be reassuring.
Not provided
PG
:
Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings may be
a mitigating factor.
Not provided
U
:
No potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy. No emphasis
on realistic or easily accessible weapons.
Not provided
PG
:
No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy.
No glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons.
Not provided
U
:
Infrequent use only of very mild bad language.
Not provided
PG
:
Mild bad language only.
Not provided
U
:
Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context.
Not provided
PG
:
Natural nudity, with no sexual 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
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
U
:
Mild violence only. Occasional mild threat or menace only.
Not provided
PG
:
Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed, if justified by its context (for
example, history, comedy or fantasy).
Not provided