The British Board of Film Classification says it is ready to take on the extra work outlined in Dr Tanya Byron’s report, which would involve the BBFC rating games from 12+ upwards.

“Dr Byron says that when it comes to content, parents want better information on which to base their decisions. I welcome the film-style classification system and greater role for the BBFC which she recommends,” said David Cooke, director of the BBFC.

Currently most videogames are exempt from classification by the BBFC unless they depict gross violence or sexual activity. In her report, Byron recommended that a partnership approach between the BBFC and PEGI should be pursued and a hybrid classification system be introduced. This system would involve the BBFC rating games from 12+ upwards. Ratings for 3+ and 7+ games, where the evidence of potential harm is weakest, would continue to be voluntarily classified through the PEGI system.

“However,” Byron said, “to make this work for the UK consumer the PEGI ratings should be translated into BBFC symbols and descriptors. To achieve this BBFC and PEGI would need to work together to agree on alignment between the criteria for PEGI rated 3+ and 7+ games and BBFC’s ‘Universal’ (U) and ‘Parental Guidance’ (PG) categories respectively. Consideration could also be given to using the ‘Uc’ category for games that are particularly aimed at pre-school children. Online games should also be classified in accordance with this division. In order to ensure that consumers remain aware of PEGI ratings, Byron recommended that all UK games be supported “by the corresponding PEGI age ratings and descriptors, which should be shown on the reverse side of the packaging”.

Byron also said that the BBFC would “have to expand considerably” if it is to be able to cope with the extra work outlined in her proposals. “It would have to provide assurances to the videogames industry and government that it could adjust operationally, without placing unreasonable burdens on industry or creating delays to the ratings process.”

BBFC director Cooke says the body is ready. “The BBFC has been able to handle a major expansion of the DVD market over the last few years, and we are ready and able to take on the extra work envisaged by Dr Byron.

“We co-operate closely with the Pan European Games Information Systems (PEGI) and will continue to do so.

“Unlike PEGI, the BBFC has the power, in exceptional cases, to reject films, DVDs and games which have the potential to pose real harm risk. We reject an average of two to three works a year (mostly DVDs) and will continue to do so where it is necessary to protect the public. At the adult level, we respect the public expectation that adults should be free to choose except where there are real harm risks. But we do not think it would be right to remove the reserve rejection power and we are pleased that Dr Byron agrees with this.”