Ratings: The Differences

U - PG

• The themes at PG can be a little more mature, but the nature of how they are presented is still very mild.
• Sex and Relationships can be more acknowledged at PG however its treatment is still discreet and infrequent.
• At PG mild drug use/reference is more acceptable but still must carry an anti-drug message overall.
• Discriminatory language can be used at PG however its use must have an educational or historical context.
• Violence can be stronger at PG, but still will not dwell on any detail and must be justified by it's context.
• At PG horror can be more frightening but still cannot be prolonged and fantasy is treated less strictly.

PG - 12A

• Discriminatory language/behaviour can progress from PG to 12A however still must not be endorsed by the work as a whole.
• Drug mis-use can be shown at 12A [it cannot at PG]  but must be infrequent and not glamorised.
• Moderate physical and psychological threat may be premitted at 12A but cannot be sustained.
• Imitable behaviour can be shown at 12A.
• Strong glamorisation of accesible weapons is not permitted.
• Moderate language is allowed at 12A - compared to mild infrequent language in a PG.
• Nudity in a sexual content is allowed in a 12A but must be brief and discreet.
• Violence is stronger at 12A but still must not dwell on detail.

12A/12 - 15

• At 15, drug references and taking may be shown, but the film must not promote drugs overall.
• Horror can be stronger and more menacing at 15 then at 12A.
• Glamorisation of easily accessible weapons is not acceptable.
• Language can become more frequent and stronger at 15 depending on its context.
• Nudity is more acceptable at 15 compared to a 12A, and can be shown in a sexual context but still not with the inclusion of strong detail.
• Strong verbal references to sexual behaviour is allowed at 15.

15 - 18 

• At 18, the viewer is considered an adult and so is free to choose their entertainment.
• Risk of harm to society is not acceptable.
• Sexualised violence is allowed at 18.
• The inclusion of sexual relationships is much more acceptable at 18 then at 15. 
• Clear images of real sex is not permitted at 18.
  

18 - R18

• Both 18 and R18 rated works may not breach any criminal laws.
• Sexually abusive behaviour is not acceptable. 
• At R18, real sex is allowed unlike at 18.

15

Suitable only for 15 years and over.

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.

 

Discrimination

The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.

 

Drugs

Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.

 

Horror

Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.

 

Imitable behaviour

Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

 

Language

There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’). The strongest  terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.

 

Nudity

Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

 

Sex

Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely  to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.

 

Theme

No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.

 

Violence

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 or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.