Information Society and Media Commissioner Vivianne Reding has
told the industry that a code of conduct for retailers must be in
place within two years, so that existing ratings systems are better
known.
The Commission has found that 20 of the EU's 27 countries use
the Pan European Games Information (PEGI) system for classifying
games by age. While three countries apply legislation to the area
four countries have no system in place at all to regulate the
access of young people to games.
"All consumers need clear, accurate information to make informed
choices. But this is particularly about children – some of the most
vulnerable consumers in society," said EU Consumer Commissioner
Meglena Kuneva. "And our clear message today is that industry and
national authorities must go further to ensure that all parents
have the power to make the right decisions for themselves and their
child."
Only four of the EU's member nations have banned violent
computer games. These are the UK, Ireland, Germany and Italy.
In the UK PEGI is used by industry for most games, but those
containing sexual or grossly violent material are subject to the
approval of film censors the British Board of Film Classification
(BBFC), which can give a game one of its age-related
classifications.
If the BBFC refuses to classify a game then supplying it can be
punishable with unlimited fines and two years in jail.
The BBFC recently refused to classify the controversial game
Manhunt 2. The Video Appeals Committee rejected its view and a
modified version of the game was given an 18 certificate in March
of this year.
The first game to be banned in the UK was Carmaggedon in 1997.
Again, a modified version was eventually given a release.
The countries with no system in place at all are Cyprus,
Luxembourg, Romania and Slovenia.
PEGI provides an age rating and makes specific warnings about
violent content or bad language.
"PEGI, as an example of responsible industry self-regulation and
the only such system with almost pan-European coverage, is
certainly a very good first step," said Reding. "However, I believe
it can be greatly improved, in Europe and beyond, by making the
public more aware about its existence and fully implementing PEGI
Online. I also call on Member States and the industry to govern the
sale of video games in shops to respect the fundamental need to
protect minors."
Reding wants the industry to do more to promote and raise
awareness of PEGI, for EU countries to make PEGI a part of their
own classification systems, for countries to co-operate on age
verification systems, and for the industry to create the code of
conduct for retailers within two years.
