What are the legal penalties for someone who abuses the age rating system?
Under the Video Recordings Act of 1984, legal penalties apply to retailers who sell BBFC rated products to consumers under the age for which they are intended. If convicted, they can face a £5000 fine and up to six months in prison.

With regard to the voluntary PEGI ratings, every major retailer in the UK adheres to the system and actively ensures that children do not get access to inappropriately aged content.

However, it is worth noting that manufacturers and vendors of counterfeit product are unlikely to adhere to the age ratings system. Should you decide to purchase products from markets and car boot sales, you should be wary of counterfeit product and be aware that if they carry any age ratings these could well be incorrect. In addition, the purveyors of counterfeit products are breaking the law (see our separate Advice Centre section on piracy).
Facts
"Gaming culture is everywhere, with Sonic the Hedgehog, Mario and Lara Croft now household names"
"The average age of the UK games player is in the mid-twenties"
View the Facts page