British Board of Film Classifiction

The British Board of Film Classification is an independent, non-government body which has classified cinema films since it was set up in 1912 and videos/DVDs since the Video Recordings Act was passed in 1984.

The BFFC was set up in 1912 by the film industry as an independent body to bring a degree of uniformity to the classification of films nationally. Statutory powers on films remain with the local council, they may overrule any of the BFFCs decision, passing films they regret, banning films the BFFC passed, waiving cuts, instituting new ones, or altering categories for films exhibited.

In 1984 the Video Recordings Act was passed. The act stated that videos subject to certain exemptions, video recordings offered for sale or hire in the UK must be classified by an authority designated by the Secretary of State. The President and Vice President of the BFFC were so designated and charged with applying the new test of suitability for viewing in the home. At this point the Boards Title was changed to the British Board of Film Classification to reflect the fact that the classification plays a far larger part in the BFFCs work in censorship.

The BFFC is a not for profit organisation and its fees are adjusted only to cover its costs. In order to preserve its independence the BFFC never receives subsidies from either the film industry or the government. Its income is solely from fees it charges, calculated by measuring the running time of films or DVDs submitted for classification. The BFFC consults the Department of Culture, Media and Sport before making any changes to its fees.