The British Board of Film Classification is a non-governmental organization, funded by the film industry and responsible for the national classification and censorship of films within the United Kingdom. It is their job to decipher what certificate to give a movie based on its content. The BBFC has one President and two Vice Presidents. They are designated with statutory responsibility for the classification of video works under the Video Recordings Act 1984

Recommended for 12 years and older. Anybody under 12 may see it, as long as parents of guardians say they can. Nobody younger than 12 may rent or buy a '12' rated video. The BBFC permits the following within the bounds of the 12 certificate: Theme: Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers Language: The use of strong language should be rare and must be justified by context. Nudity: Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context will be brief and discreet. Sex: Sexual activity may be implied. Sexual references may reflect the familiarity of most adolescents today with sex education through school. Violence: Violence must not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly indicated and without physical detail. Imitable techniques: Dangerous techniques (examples include: combat, hanging, suicides) should contain no imitable detail. Realistic and contemporary weapons should not be glamorised. Horror: Sustained threat and menace is permitted. Occasional gory moments only. Drugs: Brief and occasional references to, and sight of, 'soft' drug-taking (eg cannabis) are allowed, but must be justified by context and should indicate the dangers. No instructional elements are permitted.

The BBFC permits the following within the bounds of the 15 certificate: Theme: No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate to 15 year olds. Language: There may be frequent use of strong language; the strongest terms are only rarely acceptable. Continued aggressive use of strong language and sexual abuse is unacceptable. Nudity: There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. Sex: Sexual activity and nudity may be portrayed but without strong detail. The depiction of casual sex should be handled responsibly. There may be occasional strong verbal references to sexual behaviour. Violence: Violence may be strong but may not dwell on the infliction of pain, and of injuries. Scenes of sexual violence must be discreet and brief. Imitable techniques: Dangerous combat techniques such as ear claps, head-butts and blows to the neck are unlikely to be acceptable. There may be no emphasis on the use of easily accessible lethal weapons (in particular, knives). Horror: Sustained or detailed infliction of pain or injury is unacceptable. Drugs: Drug taking may be shown but clear instructive detail is unacceptable. The film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug use.

The BBFC permits the following within the bounds of the 18 certificate: The BBFC respects the right of adults to chose their own entertainment, within the law. It will therefore expect to intervene only rarely in relation to '18' rated cinema films. In the case of videos, which are more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent. There are no constraints at this level on theme, language, nudity or horror. The Board may, however, cut or reject the following content: - any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts which is likely to promote the activity. This includes also instructive detail of illegal drug use - the more explicit images of sexual activity - unless they can be exceptionally justified by context Sex Education at '18': Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safe sex and health, exceptions to the normal constraints on explicit images may be made in the public interest. Such explicit detail must be kept to the minimum necessary to illustrate the educational or instructional points being made. Sex Works at '18': Material which appears to be simulated is generally passed '18', while images of real sex are confined to the 'R18' category.