Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the protection of consumers, in particular minors, in respect of the use of video games
Date: 2008-04-22
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Internet, automatic game, child protection, consumer protection, harmonisation of standards

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COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 22.4.2008 
COM(2008) 207 final 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION  
TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN 
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE 
REGIONS 

on the protection of consumers, in particular minors, in respect of the use of video games 

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COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION  
TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN 
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE 
REGIONS 

on the protection of consumers, in particular minors, in respect of the use of video games 

1. 

INTRODUCTION 

The 2002 Council Resolution on the protection of consumers through the labelling of certain 
video  and  computer  games1  stressed  the  need  to  provide  clear  information  as  regards  the 
assessment  of  contents  and  rating  by  age  group.  Clear  and  simple  rating  systems  must  be 
promoted in all the Member States to ensure greater transparency and the free movement of 
video games. The Council also stressed the importance of cooperation between all interested 
parties. 

The  Resolution  calls  on  the  Commission  to  review  the  various  methods  for  assessing  the 
content of video and computer games, as well as their rating and labelling, and to report back 
to the Council. 

Playing  video  games  is  one  of  the  favourite  leisure  activites  of  Europeans  of  different  ages 
and  social  categories2.  Although  purchased  for  entertainment  value,  the  best  games  bring 
other  positive  benefits,  not  least  promoting  analytical  and  strategy  skills  and  making  young 
people  accustomed  to  interaction  with  information  technology.  There  are  also  promising 
opportunities  for  a  strong  interactive  games  industry  in  Europe,  with  a  specific  European 
character, and which can be the bearer of cultural diversity. The increasing popularity of on-
line  video  games  is  also  a  key  driver  for  the  uptake  of  broadband  telecommunications 
networks and third generation cellular phones. 

In 2006 the European market for video games, which includes console and handheld games, 
PC games and online games including wireless games, had a total revenue of more than € 6.3 
bn, and this is expected to rise to €7.3 bn by 2008. Its value is half that of the entire music 
market  in  Europe3  and  already  exceeds  the  cinema  box  office.  It  is  the  fastest  growing  and 
most dynamic sector in the European content industry, with a higher growth rate than in the 
US4.  There  is  an  emerging  trend  to  provide  for  free  online  version  of  popular  video  games 
that are essentially supported by advertising. 

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4 

report  on 

"Video  Games 

Council Resolution on the protection of consumers, in particular young people, through the labelling of 
certain video games and computer games according to age group, 1 March 2002 (OJ C 65, 14.3.2002, 
p. 2). 
Nielsen 
(http://www.isfe-
eu.org/index.php?PHPSESSID=lf6urj9ke66pqp2preebf0rb13&oidit=T001:662b16536388a7260921599
321365911) 
Interactive content and convergence: Implications for the information society. A Study for the European 
Commission  (DG  Information  Society  and  Media)  by  Screen  Digest  Ltd,  CMS  Hasche  Sigle, 
Goldmedia Gmbh, Rightscom Ltd, p. 34, 45, 96 
http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/eeurope/i2010/docs/studies/interactive_content_ec2006.pdf 
PricewaterhouseCoopers, Global Entertainment and Media Outlook: 2007 – 2011, p. 38  

in  Europe  –  2007",  p.  12-15 

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As  with  other  media,  freedom  of  expression  both  for  creators  and  gamers  must  be  a 
paramount  concern  for  policy  makers.  This  must  take  into  account  changes  in  the  market. 
Indeed, video games are increasingly a cross-generation phenomenon, played by children and 
parents  alike  and  moving  from  the  children's  room  to  the  living  room5.  The  average  age  of 
European  gamers  has  increased,  and  more  adults  are  now  playing  video  games  with  adult 
themes. At the same time policy makers have responsibility for the health of gamers and there 
is a need for high protection standards for minors. Owing to the strong psychological effects 
of video games on minors, it is important to ensure that gameplaying by minors is safe. This 
requires in particular graduated levels of access to video games for minors and adults.  

In  April  2003,  the  self-regulatory  Pan  European  Games  Information  age  rating  system 
(PEGI)6  was  adopted  after  very  close  consultation  with  industry,  civil  society,  such  as 
parental and consumer associations, and religious groups. PEGI is a voluntary, self-regulatory 
system, designed to ensure that minors are not exposed to games that are unsuitable for their 
particular  age  group.  PEGI  replaced  a  large  number  of  existing  national  age-rating  systems 
with a single European system. 

An  independent  "Study  on  the  rating  practice  used  for  audiovisual  works  in  the  European 
Union"7  was  carried  out  for  the  Commission  in  2003.  It  identifies  increasing  technological 
and societal pressure towards homogeneity of ratings, which could be achieved by common 
rating  criteria.  Another  conclusion  refers  to  regular  exchange  of  good  practices  between 
different  media platforms as a  first step towards greater uniformity of rating  practice across 
different media. 

The  European  Union  has  endeavoured  to  ensure  the  best  possible  protection  for  children 
through legislative proposals and other actions, while respecting the subsidiarity principle: the 
European Parliament and Council Recommendation on the Protection of Minors and Human 
Dignity  and  on  the  Right  of  Reply  (2006/952/EC)8  refers  to  action  concerning  illegal 
activities harmful to minors on the Internet and co-operation among bodies which deal with 
rating  or  classification.  The  INSAFE  network,  co-funded  by  the  Safer  Internet  Programme9 
and managed by the Commission, deals with awareness-raising about the use of new media, 
including video games, by children. 

The  Internet  offers  new  forms  of  media  consumption  and  new  opportunities  for  cultural 
diversity,  including  video  games,  but  it  can  also  be  a  means  for  spreading  illegal  and, 
particularly  for  minors,  harmful  content.  This  creates  specific  challenges  in  terms  of 
protecting young people. PEGI On-line10, which was launched in June 2007 and co-funded by 
the  Safer  Internet  Programme,  is  the  logical  development  of  the  PEGI  system,  designed  to 
better protect young people against unsuitable gaming content and to help parents understand 
the risks and potential for harm within this environment. 

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Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung, 13.5.2007, p. 28: "Computerspiele erobern das Wohnzimmer" 
(FAZ.NET: 
http://www.faz.net/s/RubE2C6E0BCC2F04DD787CDC274993E94C1/Doc~EB0EA103E1BD44C65A
4DB322974B1AC06~ATpl~Ecommon~Scontent.html) 
http://www.pegi.info. 
http://ec.europa.eu/avpolicy/docs/library/studies/finalised/studpdf/rating_finalrep2.pdf. 
OJ L 378, 27.12.2006, p. 72. 
http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/sip/programme 
www.pegionline.eu. 

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In December 2007, the Commission adopted a Communication11 on a European approach to 
media literacy in the digital environment. Media literacy can be summed up as the ability to 
access,  understand,  evaluate  and  create  media  content.  It  relates  to  all  types  of  media, 
including  video  games.  The  Communication  highlights  the  importance  of  media  literacy 
among  the  younger  generations,  especially  regarding  online  content.  Furthermore,  video 
games are being used increasingly in school curricula12. 

2. 

THE CONSULTATION AND ITS CONCLUSIONS 

A questionnaire was sent to all Member States to gather information and input for reporting in 
depth on trends in the protection of consumers in respect of video and computer games since 
the adoption of the above Council Resolution. The questions covered age rating/content rating 
systems, the  sale  of video games in retail shops, video  games bans, effectiveness of current 
measures  for  the  protection  of  minors,  on-line  video  games  and  a  cross-platform  and  pan-
European rating system. All 27 Member States replied. 

2.1. 

Age rating/content rating systems 

PEGI is supported by the major console manufacturers13. It applies in the vast majority of EU 
Member States14, even if not all of these countries have specific legislation in place. 

Member States applying PEGI and having specific legislation15 related to age classification in 
place  or  prepared  are  Finland,  Greece,  Italy,  Latvia,  Netherlands,  Poland,  Portugal, 
Slovakia  and  United  Kingdom.  The  Netherlands  and  Poland  also  provide  for  criminal 
sanctions. 

In  the  United  Kingdom,  the  computer  games  industry  uses  PEGI  for  most  video  games. 
Video games with material of a sexual nature or portraying gross violence are subject to the 
approval of the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), which then awards age-related 
classifications that differ from PEGI. 

In France, PEGI is used to classify and label video games. Amendments to French Criminal 
Law  in  200716  provide  for  age  classification  and  labelling  of  video  games  according  to  age 
groups. 

Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland, Spain and Sweden apply PEGI, 
but  have  no  specific  legislation.  Although  no  specific  system  is  officially  in  place  in  the 
Czech Republic, PEGI is used by all large publishers, but not for all video games distributed.  

Germany  and  Lithuania  have  specific  binding  legislation.  In  Germany,  the  self-regulatory 
PEGI system is not used. German law on the protection of young people17 includes specific 

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COM(2007) 833. 
The Interactive Software Federation of Europe is for instance working with the European Schoolnet to 
assess the use of educationally-oriented games in school and to help exchanging best practice 
E.g. Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox. 
Austria (partly), Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, 
Hungary,  Italy,  Ireland,  Latvia  (legislation  based  on  PEGI),  The  Netherlands,  Poland,  Portugal 
(legislation based on PEGI), Slovakia, Sweden, UK. 
Such as Act on the Classification of Audiovisual Programmes, Video Recording Act, Law on Consumer 
Protection, Law on Public Information. 
Loi no 98-468 amended by Loi no 2007-297. 

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Together 

measures  for  age  rating  and  labelling  of  video  games,  for  which  the  16  Bundesländer  are 
("Unterhaltungssoftware 
competent. 
Selbstkontrolle"/"Organisation  for  the  Voluntary  Monitoring  of  Entertainment  Software"), 
they  have  established  a  rating  system  aiming  at  common  age  classifications  in  all 
Bundesländer.  For  this  purpose  the  Bundesländer  have  a  common  representative,  whose 
labelling decision is binding.  

industry’s 

USK 

with 

the 

In Austria, protection of minors falls under the competence of each Bundesland. Thus, there 
are  big  differences  in  the  legislation  on  the  protection  of  young  people  and  in  how  it  is 
implemented.  

In Malta, where PEGI does not apply, video games fall under general legislation.  

Cyprus,  Luxembourg,  Romania  and  Slovenia  have  reported  they  have  no  age  or  content 
rating system in place and no related legislation. 

In  conclusion,  the  Commission  considers  that  there  remains  considerable  room  for 
improvement  as  regards  the  take-up  of  the  PEGI  system  of  classification  in  EU  Member 
States and the compatibility of applicable national provisions with PEGI. 

2.2. 

Sale of video games in retail shops 

The  Commission  is  concerned  about  the  increasing  number  of  violent  video  games  used  by 
minors.  It  is  important  to  analyse  access  to  such  games.  Half  of  the  Member  States18  have 
specific  legal  provisions,  in  civil  and  criminal  law,  concerning  the  physical  sale  of  video 
games  with  content  harmful  to  minors,  and  there  are  various  penalties  to  enforce  these 
provisions19.  

Member  States  aiming  at  or  already  using  a  classification  for  distribution,  circulation  and 
advertising based on an age/content rating are Italy (a law is in the process of approval), the 
United Kingdom, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania20 and Slovakia. 

France,  Sweden  and  the  Netherlands  prohibit  certain  violent  video  games  under  criminal 
law (in Sweden also under the constitutional law). For lawful games, Swedish retailers have 
agreed  to  follow  the  PEGI  age  rating  system  for  sale.  They  are  entitled  to  make  the  sale 
subject to parental permission. 

In  Belgium  and  Malta,  there  are  a  number  of  legal  provisions  covering  the  sale  of  video 
games, such as laws on racism and xenophobia, on commerce and consumer protection and 
public order. 

Bulgaria21,  the  Czech  Republic22,  Cyprus,  Denmark23,  Hungary,  Luxembourg,  Poland 
and Romania have no specific legislation governing the sale of video games.  

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Jugendschutzgesetz; published on 23 July 2002 (BGBl I Nr. 51, S. 2730), as last amended by law of 20 
July 2007 (BGBl. I S. 1595). 
Austria,  Belgium,  Spain,  Estonia,  Finland,  France,  Germany,  Greece,  Italy,  Latvia,  Lithuania,  the 
Netherlands, Slovakia, Sweden, UK. 
In Legal acts such as Children's Protection Act, Act of Classification of Audiovisual Programmes, Law 
on  Consumer  Protection,  Regulation  on  Distribution  of  Computer  Games,  Youth  protection  law, 
Criminal Law. 
Lithuania and Slovakia have rules for the sale of video games which are intended exclusively for adults. 

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In such circumstances, a code of conduct for video games retailers is the next logical step. In 
the United States, the "Entertainment Software Rating Board" (ESRB) and national retailers - 
under the umbrella of the "ESRB Retail Council" (ERC) - advise parents and other consumers 
on rating matters. The aim of their "Ratings Education and Enforcement Code"24 is to inform 
retailers and to ensure that they enforce the ratings, e.g. by awareness-raising and training of 
shop staff. Consumers can report infringements to retailers and to the ESRB website. ESRB 
forwards the complaint to the responsible ERC member for prompt handling and can exclude 
offending members from ERC. 

2.3. 

Bans on video games 

Only  four  Member  States,  United  Kingdom,  Ireland,  Germany  and  Italy,  have  so  far 
banned certain video games, either by a formal ban or by measures equivalent to a ban, such 
as confiscation, refusal to issue a rating or trade restrictions. 

In Ireland, video games deemed to be unfit for viewing because of their violent character can 
be made the subject of a prohibition order by the Irish Film Censor's Office (IFCO). This was 
the case with the video game "Manhunt 2" in June 200725. 

The  first  video  game  that  was  refused  BBFC  classification  in  the  United  Kingdom  was 
"Carmageddon"  in  1997.  However,  a  modified  version  was  later  awarded  a  classification 
certificate.  

In  June  2007,  the  BBFC  rejected  "Manhunt  2".  This  decision  was  overturned  by  the  Video 
Appeals Committee in December 2007. The BBFC challenged this decision by judicial review 
before  the  High  Court  who  referred  the  case  back  to  the  Video  Appeals  Committee  that  in 
March 2008 upheld its decision The BBFC accordingly issued a "18" certificate26. However, 
the version passed is not the original version, but a modified one. Supplying an unclassified 
video game is punishable by up to two years' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. 

In  Italy,  dissemination  of  "Manhunt  2"  was  blocked  in  June  2007  by  the  Minister  of 
Communications27. 

In Germany, the County Court in Munich decided to confiscate28 all versions of "Manhunt" 
in  July  2004  because  of  violation  of  a  penal  provision  prohibiting  the  depiction  and 

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Retailers are obliged to label a product and provide information such as about the producer, the nature 
and characteristics of the product according to general provisions by the Consumer Protection Act, State 
gazette no 99 of 9 December 2005. 
Video games must meet general restrictions which apply to advertisement at the point of sale. 
Denmark mentions that "Dissemination of violent video games to children can be punished according to 
the Criminal Code" in its reply to the Questionnaire 
ESRB: http://www.esrb.org/retailers/index.jsp: Code: 
http://www.esrb.org/retailers/downloads/erc_code.pdf 
http://www.ifco.ie/IFCO/ifcoweb.nsf/web/news?opendocument&news=yes&type=graphic. 
Decision by the Video Appeals Committee on 10th December 2007; BBFC applies for a Judicial Review 
at  the  High  Court  on  17th  December  2007;    High  Court  judgement  on  24  January  2008  (Mr  Justice 
Mittins'  Judgement  CO/11296/2007):  incorrect  application  of  the  law,  reference  back  to  the  Video 
Appeals Committee that upheld its decision (http://www.bbfc.co.uk/news/pressnews.php) 
http://www.comunicazioni.it/news. 
Court Decision 19.07.2004 (Aktenzeichen 853 Gs 261/04). 

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glorification of violence. There were also other cases, such as "Dead Rising", which was put 
on the Index and confiscated by a Hamburg County Court decision of June 200729. 

The  Commission  is  of  the  opinion  that  such  bans  should  remain  the  exception,  be 
proportionate and, therefore, be limited to serious breaches of human dignity.  

2.4. 

Effectiveness of current measures for the protection of minors  

Half of the Member States30 consider the current measures in place to be generally effective. 
France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland have recently improved or 
are  currently  improving  national  legislation.  Some  consider  these  changes  to  be  adequate  if 
combined  with  self-regulation.  For  instance,  the  French  Criminal  Code  was  amended  in 
2007. Three principles were introduced: a self-regulatory system with responsibility given to 
the industry, new powers for the Interior Ministry and penal sanctions.  

For the Netherlands, PEGI and the legislative provisions concerning the sale of video games 
seem  to  be  sufficient.  Finland,  Germany,  Ireland  and  Spain  consider  current  rules  to  be 
effective  and  widely  accepted,  but  are  intensifying  them  through  media  literacy,  parental 
awareness  raising  and  judicial  review.  Sweden  uses  PEGI  and  believes  that  measures  for 
awareness-raising  amongst  parents,  to  promote  industry  self-regulation  and  to  enhance 
cooperation between the State and the industry, are working well. 

Germany31  and  the  United  Kingdom32  are  carrying  out  studies  on  the  effectiveness  of 
legislation and on the risks for children. Latvia, Poland and Slovakia do not know whether 
PEGI is successful, as no evaluation has yet been carried out. 

In Austria, the vast majority of competent regional authorities, whether using  PEGI  or not, 
consider  the  current  system  to  be  insufficient.  The  Bundesland  Vienna  plans  to  reform  the 
law.  Austria  takes  the  view  that  a  nationwide  system  would  not  be  sufficient  to  deal  with 
problems  arising  from  the  Internet  or  from  the  proximity  to  neighbouring  countries;  lack  of 
awareness,  of  supervision  by  police  and  of  certification  to  help  retailers  are  also  seen  as 
problems. 

In  Belgium  and  Hungary,  PEGI  already  applies,  but  is  not  legally  binding,  with  the  result 
that  both  countries  see  the  protection  of  minors  as  inefficient.  Belgium  would  favour 
legislation at European level. Although PEGI certification can be found on most video games, 
Hungary deems PEGI to be insufficient, owing to a lack of parental awareness. 

In Bulgaria, child protection legislation33 has been supplemented during the last two years by 
incentives for self-regulatory mechanisms.  

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Court Decision 11.06.2007 (Aktenzeichen 167 Gs 551/07). 
Czech Republic, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Lithuania, 
The Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden. 
Study by the Federal Ministry of Family together with the Bundesländer 
http://www.hans-bredow-institut.de/forschung/recht/jugendmedienschutz.htm
The report of the independent Byron Review, "Safer Children in a Digital World" was published on 27 
March 2008. See http://www.dfes.gov.uk/byronreview. 
Child protection Act (State Gazette No. 48 of 13 June 2000), Consumer protection Act (State Gazette 
no. 99 of 9 December 2005), . 

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2.5. 

On-line video games 

On-line video games allow players to interact with each other through a network connection. 
The  vast  majority  of  Member  States34  do  not  have  specific  legislation  on  that.  However, 
some35 do use PEGI On-line and a number apply general legislation (including criminal law) 
and specific legislation concerning off-line video games by analogy. 

In  Germany,  in  addition  to  the  self-  and  co-regulation  procedure  mentioned  above, 
"jugendschutz.net", a specific common agency for youth protection on the Internet established 
by the Bundesländer, examines Internet offers and is involved in negotiations with producers 
and providers and in regulatory procedures.  

In  Italy,  the  law  on  the  protection  of  minors  with  regard  to  the  use  of  video  games  also 
applies to on-line games. The proposed self-regulation "Code of Media and Minors" requires 
on-line video games to display PEGI On-line ratings in a clear and visible manner, including 
filtering measures for parental control. 

In Ireland, off-line and Internet video gaming activities are treated equally under the law. The 
Internet  Service  Providers  agreed  that  material  and  services  that  are  illegal  under  Irish  law 
will not be carried on Irish servers or will be removed from them. A hotline has been set up to 
report  any  illegal  or  harmful  material  on  the  Internet,  and  cooperation  with  the  police  is  in 
place. 

Latvia  applies  specific  provisions  regarding  the  accessibility  of  computer  games  on  the 
Internet. Their distribution can be prohibited if, for example, it is not possible to determine the 
circle of users or if the recipient has not been advised of the age limits. Internet providers are 
also obliged to inform users about the possibility of installing a content filter. 

Overall,  the  Commission  considers  that  additional  efforts  are  needed  with  regard  to  on-line 
videogames, in order to take account of their specificities: a swift and effective mechanism for 
age  verification  is  needed,  and  particular  attention  should  be  paid  to  chat  rooms.  A  pan-
European dialogue between all stakeholders would be useful in this respect. 

In this context, the EU policy to reinforce public-private cooperation against cyber crime, and 
in particular against illegal and harmful content on the Internet, may serve as a starting point. 

2.6. 

A cross-platform, pan-European rating system 

A  majority  of  Member  States36  favour  a  cross-platform  pan-European  age  classification 
which would contribute to ensuring the smooth operation of the internal market and prevent 
consumer  confusion.  PEGI  is  considered  useful  and  feasible,  and  has  the  capacity  to  be 
developed further.  

Poland  and  the  Czech  Republic  are  sceptical,  but  would  support  harmonisation  and 
cooperation  to  a  certain  degree.  Only  France,  Hungary  and  Portugal  consider  a  cross-

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Austria,  Belgium,  Bulgaria,  Cyprus,  Czech  Republic,  Denmark,  Estonia,  Finland,  France,  Greece, 
Hungary,  Lithuania,  Luxembourg,  Malta,  The  Netherlands,  Poland,  Portugal,  Romania,  Slovakia, 
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK. 
Denmark, Finland, Italy, The Netherlands, Slovakia, Sweden, UK. 
Austria,  Belgium,  Bulgaria, Cyprus,  Czech  republic  (to  a  certain degree), Denmark,  Estonia,  Finland, 
Greece, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, The Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, 
Sweden. 

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platform  classification  system  impossible.  They  argue  that  different  types  of  media  need 
different conditions for dissemination and access and involve a specific consumption which 
requires  different  classifications  and  regulations.  Besides  that,  they  regard  different  cultural 
and moral sensitivities as an obstacle to a single classification system. Germany considers its 
own system satisfactory. Belgium indicated that it would welcome an EU regulation to tackle 
the lack of control and sanctions concerning the correct application of labels. The majority of 
Member  States  favour  the  promotion  of  self-regulatory  and  co-regulatory  systems.  The 
situation in the UK is currently under review. 

3. 

CONCLUSIONS 

Today,  most  EU  Member  States  apply  PEGI,  the  self-regulatory  rating  system  for  off-line 
video  games  which  was  launched  in  2003.  The  vast  majority  of  these  Member  States  have 
related  legislation  and  quite  a  number  have  recently  improved  their  legislation  or  are  in  the 
process of doing so. Some Member States have even based this legislation on PEGI. 

The  situation  for  on-line  games  is  different.  Internet  creates  new  challenges  because  of  its 
easy  access  and  global  character.  The  majority  of  Member  States  do  not  have  specific 
legislation for on-line video games. However, some Member States consider that legislation 
for  off-line  video  games  applies  by  analogy  and  some  Member  States  use  PEGI  On-line, 
which was launched in June 2007.  

In  conclusion  PEGI  appears  to  have  achieved  good  results  and  PEGI  On-line  is  also  a 
promising initiative, making of PEGI a good example of self-regulation in line with the better 
regulation  agenda.  Consequently,  further  efforts  should  be  made  by  Member  States,  the 
industry  and  other  stakeholders,  including  parents,  to  increase  trust  in  video  games  and 
improve the protection of minors. 

Considering the above, and bearing in mind the value of video games in promoting cultural 
diversity, the Commission: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Calls  upon  the  Member  States  to  recognise  that  video  games  have  become  a  front-
rank  medium  and  to  ensure  that  high  standards  of  freedom  of  expression  and 
effective,  proportionate  measures  for  the  protection  of  minors  should  apply  and 
mutually reinforce each other. 

Consequently, calls upon the Member States to integrate into their national systems 
the information and classification system put in place in the framework of the PEGI 
and PEGI On-line initiatives. 

Calls upon the video games and consoles industry to further improve the PEGI and 
PEGI On-line systems and in particular regularly to update the criteria for age rating 
and labelling, to advertise PEGI more actively and to increase the list of signatories. 

Recognises  that  on-line  videogames  bring  new  challenges,  such  as  effective  age 
verification systems and possible dangers for young consumers related to chat rooms 
associated with these games, and calls upon Member States and stakeholders to work 
together on innovative solutions. 

Calls  upon  Member  States  and  stakeholders  to  evaluate  the  possible  negative  and 
positive effects of video games, notably on health.  

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Calls  upon  all  stakeholders  involved  in  the  sale  of  videogames  in  retail  shops  to 
agree within two years on a Pan-European Code of conduct on the sale of games to 
minors and on commitments to raise awareness of the PEGI system among parents 
and children, as well as to ensure adequate resources to implement the provisions of 
this Code. 

Encourages  the  Member  States  and  all  stakeholders  to  take  initiatives  to  improve 
media literacy applied to video games, in line with the Commission Communication 
of 20 December 2007. 

Welcomes and supports further efforts to achieve a self-regulatory or co-regulatory 
cross-media, pan-European age-rating system. The Commission intends in particular 
to organise meetings of classification bodies to exchange best practices in this field. 

Intends  to  use  existing  networks  of  and  platforms  with  Consumer  organisations  in 
order  to  raise  public  awareness  on  PEGI  and  on  the  recommendations  in  this 
Communication.  

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