Rating systems in UK

BBFC
Under the film recordings act the British Board of Film Classification is responsible for the content of film released in the UK. Any film that is released has to be reviewed by the BBFC and they decide whether the film is allowed to be released or whether certain parts should be cut, they then give the film an age classification. This age classification means that by law no films should be supplied or viewed to anyone of an unsuitable age.
Increasingly video games are being submitted to the BBFC this is generally due to the sophisticated graphics evident in more recent games. In the early days of video games the graphics were such that any violent or sexual nature or depiction of an animal or human in a game was unlikely to be realistic enough to be covered by the act. Games have to be submitted to the BBFC:

“if they depict, to any significant extent, gross violence against humans or animals, human sexual activity, human urinary or excretory functions or genital organs, or techniques likely to be useful in the commission of offences.”

Games that are exempt from BBFC classification instead are classified under the PEGI system.

Above: The different classifications used in the BBFC system. These ratings have to be abided by, by law.

PEGI
The Pan-European Game Information rating system is designed to help parents make informed decisions when buying games for their children. It is not illegal to supply PEGI rated games to someone is under the age displayed on the game.

Above: The classifications and informative descriptions used in the PEGI rating system.