British Board of Film Classification/Ratings

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==1912–1970==
BBFC U (1912).png|Universal(U)
BBFC A (1912).png|Adult(A)
BBFC H (1932).png|Horrific(H)(1932–1951)
BBFC X (1951).png|X(1951–1970)
At first, there were just two advisory certificates. In 1932, an H (Horrific) certificate was added to alert parents to horror-themed material. In 1951, a compulsory certificate, X, was introduced allowing only those aged 16 and older to enter. This replaced the H certificate.
==1970–1982==
BBFC U (1970).png|Universal(U)
BBFC A (1970).png|Advisory(A)
BBFC AA (1970).png|AA
BBFC X (1970).png|X
On 1 July 1970, the A certificate was split into two: the A certificate now allowed those aged five and older to be admitted but warned parents that they may not wish children under 14 to watch the film, while the new AA allowed only those aged 14 or over to be admitted. As there was now a mandatory certificate at 14, the X certificate was modified to raise its age from 16 to 18. The classification symbols were given a more modern look, replacing the aging logos that had served the BBFC for 58 years.
==1982–1985==
UBBFC82-85.png|Universal(U)
PGBBFC82-85.png|Parental Guidance(PG)
15BBFC82-85.png|15(Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over)
18BBFC82-85.png|18 (Suitable only for persons of 18 years and over)
R18BBFC82-85.png|Restricted 18(R18)
On 1 November 1982, the ratings system was completely overhauled with only the U certificate remaining unchanged (though its description was modified). The A certificate was replaced by PG, which was now completely advisory. The age of AA was raised a year and the certificate was renamed 15. The X certificate was unchanged but renamed 18 due to the lewd reputation that the letter X had acquired. A new R18 certificate was introduced for sexually explicit films. In order to show R18 films, cinemas must be licensed members-only clubs (previously, a loophole allowed these clubs to show such films unrated).
==1985–1989==
BBFC Uc 1985 Rating.svg|Universal Children(UC)
BBFC U 1985 Rating.svg|Universal(U)
BBFC PG 1985 Rating.svg|Parental Guidance(PG)
BBFC 15 1985 Rating.svg|15(Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over)
BBFC 18 1985 Rating.svg|18(Suitable only for persons of 18 years and over)
BBFC R18 (1985).png|Restricted 18(R18)
Uclogofinal.png
Ulogofinal.png
Pglogofinal.png
The Video Recordings Act 1984 gave the BBFC the legal responsibility to rate all videos. The current certificates were all used and were also modified and coloured. A new Uc certificate was introduced for videos only to indicate a recording that is especially suitable for young children to watch on their own. Those under the age of a certificate could not buy or rent a video with that certificate. Shops wishing to sell or rent R18 videos had to apply for a licence.
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==1989–2003==
BBFC Uc 1985 Rating.svg|Universal Children(UC)
BBFC U 1985 Rating.svg|Universal(U)
BBFC PG 1985 Rating.svg|Parental Guidance(PG)
BBFC 12 1994 Rating.svg|12(Suitable only for persons of 12 years and over)
BBFC 15 1985 Rating.svg|15(Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over)
BBFC 18 1985 Rating.svg|18(Suitable only for persons of 18 years and over)
BBFC R18 (1985).png|Restricted 18(R18)
Due to the large gap between PG and 15 and industry pressure regarding Batman, a 12 certificate was introduced on 1 August 1989. Initially, it was for cinema use only and did not cover videos until 1 July 1994. 12 films released on video would typically be classified as 15, though they were sometimes edited to fit the PG category. All of the symbols were also graphically edited.
File:BBFC_u.png
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BBFC PG.png
BBFC 12.png
BBFC 15.png
BBFC 18.png
==1999–2003==
BBFC Uc (1999).svg|Universal Children(UC)
BBFC U (1999).svg|Universal(U)
BBFC PG (1999).svg|Parental Guidance(PG)
BBFC PG-12 (2001).svg|PG-12(2001–2002)(Only used for trial period in Norwich)
BBFC 12 (1999).svg|12(Suitable only for persons of 12 years and over)
BBFC 15 (1999).svg|15(Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over)
BBFC 18 (1999).svg|18(Suitable only for persons of 18 years and over)
BBFC R18 (1999).svg|Restricted 18(R18)
In 1999, the symbols were largely altered. They were used in tandem with the 1989 symbols.
==2002–2020==
BBFC Uc (2002).svg|Universal Children(UC)(2002–2009)
BBFC U (2002).svg|Universal(U)
BBFC PG (2002).svg|Parental Guidance(PG)
BBFC 12A (2002).svg|12 Advisory(12A)
BBFC 12 (2002).svg|12(Suitable only for persons of 12 years and over)
BBFC 15 (2002).svg|15(Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over)
BBFC 18 (2002).svg|18(Suitable only for persons of 18 years and over)
BBFC R18 (2002).svg|Restricted 18(R18)
In September 2002, the symbols were refreshed again.
*The cinema 12 certificate was modified and renamed 12A. Those under 12 could now be admitted to 12A films, provided that they were accompanied by an adult aged at least 18 years old, although the BBFC recommends that 12A films are generally unsuitable for children under 12 years old. Contrary to popular belief, the certificate was not introduced for the film Spider-Man, the first film to receive it was actually The Bourne Identity. However, Spider-Man and other films still on general release at the time were reclassified as 12A.
**Introduction of the 12A followed two years of consultation and a trial period in Norwich, during which time the certificate was known as PG-12. The video 12 certificate remained unchanged.
*Shortly after the new certificate was introduced, all of the symbols were graphically modernised but retained all their main features (colour, shape, etc.).
As of 2009, the Uc certificate was retired and replaced with BBFCInsight, which states where works are 'particularly suitable for pre-school children', although media released before the removal of the rating can still carry it.
===Flat versions===
BBFC Uc 2002.png|Universal Children(UC)(2002–2009)
BBFC U 2002.png|Universal(U)
BBFC PG 2002.png|Parental Guidance(PG)
BBFC 12A 2002.png|12 Advisory(12A)
BBFC 12 2002.png|12(Suitable only for persons of 12 years and over)
BBFC 15 2002.png|15(Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over)
BBFC 18 2002.png|18(Suitable only for persons of 18 years and over)
BBFC R18 2002.png|Restricted 18(R18)
==2019–present==
BBFC U (2019).svg|Universal(U)
BBFC PG (2019).svg|Parental Guidance(PG)
BBFC 12A (2019).svg|12 Advisory(12A)
BBFC 12 (2019).svg|12(Suitable only for persons of 12 years and over)
BBFC 15 (2019).svg|15(Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over)
BBFC 18 (2019).svg|18(Suitable only for persons of 18 years and over)
BBFC R18 (2019).svg|Restricted 18(R18)
BBFC AV (2019).svg|Age-Verification(AV)
In October 2019, the symbols were changed for the first time in over a decade. They have rounded edges, and some of them were coloured differently.
*A new voluntary rating, the Age-Verification Certificate, was also introduced to ensure that age-verification providers maintain high standards of privacy and data security. It was also planned to come into force legally for online pornography providers, however, this proposal was later cancelled.
*The E certificate is an official rating often applied to video titles released in the United Kingdom which are exempt from being graded by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) as any of the other certificate categories. For labelling content that is excluded from classification, there is no legal requirement, nor any special scheme.
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Category:Entertainment ratings