BBFC - British Board of Film Classification

The BBFC is a independent non governmental body that has classified cinema films since it was set up in 1912.

They classify films into different rating of explicitly U,  PG,  12,  12A, 15, 18, R18.

Guidelines - Taking into account the public view as well as the U.K Law.
The Guidelines are updated every 4 years. The guidelines were last updated in June 2009.

The areas which are considered are:

1) Discrimination.
2) Drugs.
3) Horror.
4) Imitable Behaviour.
5) Language.
6) Nudity.
7) Sex.
8) Theme.
9) Violence.

Public Decision - Looks for issues in films.

15 - Violence, Strong sound effects, contains sex but no nudity. No one younger than 15 may see a 15 film in a cinema and no one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated video work.

18 - Strong Language, Strong Violence - Gore, Sexual scenes, contains nudity. No one younger than 18 may see a 18 film in a cinema and no one younger than 18 can rent or buy an 18 rated video.