Phil Elliott 08:17 (BST)
23/04/2008

EU wants more industry investment on ratings issue

The European Commission looking into the protection of minors with respect to violent videogames has reported its findings and recommended further action.

The Commission has stated that while it "welcomes progress" on the age ratings issue across the 27 member states, it believes more industry investment is required, and that the PEGI system can be "greatly improved."

"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 Viviane Reding, EU commissioner for Information, Society and Media.

"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 videogames in shops to respect the fundamental need to protect minors."

And EU Consumer commissioner Meglena Kuneva added: "All consumers need clear, accurate information to make informed choices. But this is particularly about children - some of the most vulnerable consumers in society.

"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."

Currently 20 member states have signed up to the PEGI system, and while two countries - Germany and Lithuania - have specific legislation in place for the application of that ratings system, and 15 countries have legislation concerning the sale of videogames with harmful content to minors, other countries have no system in place at all.

To that end, the Commission has made several specific recommendations going forward:

Regular improvement and better advertising of PEGI and PEGI Online by the videogames industry.
Member states should integrate PEGI into their own classification systems and raise awareness of PEGI, particularly parents and children.
Cooperation on innovative age verification solutions between member states, classification bodies and other stakeholders.
A pan-European code of conduct on the sale of games to minors within two years, agreed by all stakeholders.

In the UK, the government's Byron Report into the subject recommended that the BBFC take responsibility for rating any games suitable only for an audience aged over 12, with PEGI continuing to rate games under that age - and the two to work together on developing online ratings.