PEGI facts for kids

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Pan-European Game Information

Formation	9 April 2003; 21 years ago (2003-04-09)
Purpose	Classification of video games
Location	Brussels, Belgium
Region served	Most European countries (excluding Germany and Russia), Israel
Parent organization	Interactive Software Federation of Europe

PEGI (/ˈpɛɡi/ PEG-ee), short for Pan-European Game Information, is a European video game content rating system established to help European consumers make informed decisions when buying video games or apps through the use of age recommendations and content descriptors. It was developed by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE) and came into use in April 2003, replacing many national age rating systems with a single European system. The PEGI system is now used in 41 countries and is based on a code of conduct, a set of rules to which every publisher using the PEGI system is contractually committed. PEGI self-regulation is composed by five age categories and nine content descriptors that advise the suitability of a game for a certain age range based on the game's content. The age rating is not intended to indicate the difficulty of the game or the skill required to play it.

Age ratings
Rating process
Global cooperation in IARC
PEGI Online
Usage
- Officially supports PEGI
- Other countries
See also

Age ratings

PEGI has five age categories.

Rating	Description
	The content of games with a PEGI 3 rating is considered suitable for all age groups. The game should not contain any sounds or pictures that are likely to frighten young children. A very mild form of violence (in a comical context or a childlike setting) is acceptable. No bad language should be heard.
	Game content with scenes or sounds that can possibly be frightening to younger children should fall in this category. Very mild forms of violence (implied, non-detailed, or non-realistic violence) are acceptable for a game with a PEGI 7 rating.
	Video games that show violence of a slightly more graphic nature towards fantasy characters or non-realistic violence towards human-like characters would fall in this age category. Sexual contect can be present, while any bad language in this category must be mild.
	This rating is applied once the depiction of violence reaches a stage that looks the same as would be expected in real life. The use of bad language in games with a PEGI 16 rating can be more extreme, while the use of tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs can also be present.
	The 18 rating, which indicates content suitable only for adults, is applied when the level of violence reaches a stage where it becomes a depiction of gross violence, apparently motiveless killing, or violence towards defenceless characters. The glamorisation of the use of illegal drugs, sexual content, and gambling should also fall into this age category.
	In addition to age ratings, there is a special rating represented by an exclamation point labeled "Parental Guidance Recommended". These contents are available for all ages, but it is recommended that parents (mostly with children who are under the age of 18) supervise activities within the program.

Rating process

To obtain the ratings for any piece of interactive software, the applicant submits the game with other supporting materials and completes a content declaration, all of which is evaluated by an independent administrator called the Netherlands Institute for the Classification of Audiovisual Media (NICAM). It is based on the Dutch Kijkwijzer system as well. Following the evaluation the applicant will receive a license to use the rating logos. If the applicant disagrees with the rating, they can ask for an explanation or make a complaint to the complaints board. Consumers may also make complaints to this board.

Although PEGI was established by an industry body (ISFE) the ratings are given by a body independent of the industry and the whole system is overseen by a number of different Boards and Committees. There is the PEGI Council, composed mainly by national representatives for PEGI, that recommends adjustments to the code in light of social, legal and technological developments. Members of the PEGI Council are recruited for their skill and experience from among parent/consumer body representatives, child psychologists, media specialists, civil servants, academics and legal advisers versed in the protection of minors in Europe.

There is also a Complaints Board with experts from various European countries. They deal with complaints related to breaches of requirements of the code of conduct or to age rating recommendations. Should a complaint be received from a consumer or publisher regarding a rating given to a game and no satisfactory settlement can be reached by the PEGI administrator through discussion, explanation or negotiation the complainant may formally request the Complaints Board to mediate. Three board members will then convene, hear the complaint and decide on a ruling. Publishers using the PEGI system are bound by the decision of the Complaints Board. Consequently, they are obliged to carry out any corrective actions required and, in cases of non-compliance, are subject to sanctions as laid out by the code.

Global cooperation in IARC

In 2013, PEGI co-founded the International Age Rating Coalition with USK and the ESRB. IARC aims to streamline the rating of digitally distributed games and apps by providing a single online system that produces age ratings for all participating regions. By filling out one questionnaire, a publisher instantaneously receives ratings from PEGI, USK, ESRB, ACB and others.

PEGI Online

In 2007, the PEGI Online division of PEGI was formed as an addition to the PEGI system for online games. Goals include giving young people in Europe improved protection against unsuitable online gaming content and educating parents on how to ensure safe online play. This project is supported directly by the European Commission:

PEGI On-line, which was launched in June 2007 and co-funded by the Safer Internet Programme, is the logical development of the PEGI system, designed to better protect young people against unsuitable gaming content and to help parents to understand the risks and potential for harm within this environment.

PEGI Online is based on four principles:

The PEGI Online Safety Code and Framework Contract which is signed by all participants
The PEGI Online Logo which will be displayed by holders of a licence
The website for applicants and for the general public
An independent administration, advice, and dispute settlement process

The licence to display the PEGI Online Logo is granted by the PEGI Online Administrator to any online gameplay service provider that meets the requirements set out in the PEGI Online Safety Code (POSC).

Usage

PEGI is the standard age rating system for video games in 40 European countries alongside Israel, but products with PEGI labels can be found across the globe alongside other rating systems as a result of import for linguistic reasons (e.g.: English versions in India, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, Spanish or Portuguese versions in Latin America). The official status of PEGI ratings varies from country to country, depending on the way national legislation deals with age classification and the protection of minors. In some countries, PEGI is the de facto standard without specific regulation, other countries have officially acknowledged PEGI as the sole system for age ratings, while yet another number of countries have incorporated the PEGI rating system into laws governing the age classification of media, making the labels enforceable in retail.

Officially supports PEGI

Country	Status	Local system
Austria	Officially supports PEGI. Although there is no specific legislative basis at the federal level, PEGI is legally adopted and enforceable in the federal state of Vienna. Other states do not prescribe a specific labelling system, with the exception of Salzburg, where USK labels are mandatory. Represented in the PEGI Council.
Belgium	Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis.
Bulgaria	Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.
Cyprus	Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis. Northern Cyprus however does not officially support PEGI, but uses it. Nor does it have a legislative basis, even though it is internationally recognised as part of the Republic of Cyprus, some laws like those do not apply there. PEGI labels are used as most are imported from Turkey and the rest of the EU.
Czech Republic	Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis.
Denmark	Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.
Estonia	Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis.
Finland	In Finland, games with PEGI ratings are exempt from mandatory classification with national age symbols. Both classifications are enforced by the penal code. Represented in the PEGI Council.	KAVI
France	France has adopted legislation making classification of video games with age labels mandatory. Represented in the PEGI Council.
Greece	Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.
Iceland	PEGI is officially supported and age classifications are mandatory for video games by law.
Ireland	PEGI ratings are exempt from mandatory classification by IFCO, which adopts PEGI. IFCO is still legally empowered to ban certain video game content from the market. Represented in the PEGI Council.
Israel	PEGI has been adopted by law as the mandatory classification system for video games in Israel since 2007.
Italy	Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.
Latvia	Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis.
Lithuania	Lithuanian legislation has adopted PEGI which is exempt from mandatory classification with national age symbols. Both classifications are enforced by the penal code as of November 2010.
Luxembourg	Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.
Malta	Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, PEGI is the legally enforceable system for game classification in Malta since January 2016.
Netherlands	PEGI is officially adopted and legislation is in place to enforce age classification in shops where video games are sold.
Norway	Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.
Poland	Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.
Portugal	PEGI has officially been adopted by the Portuguese Classification Board IGAC. Represented in the PEGI Council.	IGAC
Romania	Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis.
Slovenia	Officially supports PEGI, but there is no specific legislative basis.
Spain	Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.
Sweden	Officially supports PEGI and is represented in the PEGI Council, but there is no specific legislative basis.
United Kingdom	Officially supports PEGI (PEGI is the legally enforceable system for game classification in the UK since 30 July 2012). Represented in the PEGI Council.	BBFC

Other countries

Country	Status	Local system
Albania	Does not use PEGI labels and does not officially support PEGI. Also, does not have a legislative basis.
Bosnia and Herzegovina	Does not use PEGI labels and does not officially support PEGI. Also, does not have a legislative basis.
Croatia	Does not officially support PEGI, but PEGI labels are shown on digital stores and localized physical releases since the 2010s. Also, does not have a legislative basis.
Germany	The USK system is adopted and enforced. PEGI is not formally recognised, although PEGI labelling can be found on games along with the USK rating. Not represented on the PEGI Council.	USK
Hungary	Does not officially support PEGI, but PEGI labels are shown on digital stores and localized physical releases since the 2000s. Also, does not have a legislative basis.
Kosovo	Does not use PEGI labels and does not officially support PEGI. Also, does not have a legislative basis.
Moldova	Does not use PEGI labels and does not officially support PEGI. Also, does not have a legislative basis.
Montenegro	Does not use PEGI labels and does not officially support PEGI. Also, does not have a legislative basis.
North Macedonia	Does not use PEGI labels and does not officially support PEGI. Also, does not have a legislative basis.
Russia	RARS system adopted in 2012. All games, including imported, must have the RARS rating present. PEGI labels were originally used prior to 2012, but were never officially recognised.	RARS
Serbia	Uses PEGI labels, but support from governing body is unknown.
Slovakia	JSO system adopted. Imported games (mostly with PEGI or USK rating) meant for selling in Slovak stores must have at least sticker with specific JSO rating on plastic foil of game keep-case.	JSO
Switzerland	Switzerland is preparing national legislation to make classification of video games with age labels legally binding.
Turkey	Uses PEGI labels in almost all foreign & Turkish published video games inside the country, and so do the publishers, but does not have an official legislative basis regarding PEGI, and is not represented in the PEGI council.
Ukraine	Does not officially use PEGI labels, but many video games published for sale in the country can be seen labeled with PEGI. Also, does not have a legislative basis regarding it.