E certificate
Encyclopedia
In British film classifications, the E certificate is an unofficial rating given to video titles released in the United Kingdom
which are exempt from being classified by the British Board of Film Classification
(BBFC) as any of the other certificate categories.
Material that is exempt from classification sometimes uses symbols similar to BBFC certificates, for example an E "certificate". There is no legal obligation, nor a particular scheme, for labelling material that is exempt from classification.
The BBFC do not view any material which is exempt from classification and therefore do not issue any certificate of any kind. The decision to release any title as exempt from classification is not made by the BBFC, but by the distributors
and/or producers
themselves who have the onus of ensuring that it would be suitable for exemption.
Some producers may wish to have their work classified even though they may be exemptable nature as the public tend to be more familiar with proper certificates and it also provides more legal backing.
or instruct as opposed to entertain. It can also apply for such films which are primarily concerned with sport, religion or music
, provided that they do not contain material which would require classification. Such material would include: -
If the work does include any of the above elements or is likely to stimulate or encourage them, then the right to an exemption is lost and that work must be submitted to the Board for classification. If a film is treated as exempt when it should have been classified, local trading standard officers can investigate and the distributors and/or vendors can be prosecuted.
There have been many music documentary DVDs released with exemption from BBFC classification despite containing bad language. This is permitted as the bad language is not a primary factor and not excessive.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
which are exempt from being classified by the British Board of Film Classification
British Board of Film Classification
The British Board of Film Classification , originally British Board of Film Censors, is a non-governmental organisation, funded by the film industry and responsible for the national classification of films within the United Kingdom...
(BBFC) as any of the other certificate categories.
Material that is exempt from classification sometimes uses symbols similar to BBFC certificates, for example an E "certificate". There is no legal obligation, nor a particular scheme, for labelling material that is exempt from classification.
The BBFC do not view any material which is exempt from classification and therefore do not issue any certificate of any kind. The decision to release any title as exempt from classification is not made by the BBFC, but by the distributors
Film distributor
A film distributor is a company or individual responsible for releasing films to the public either theatrically or for home viewing...
and/or producers
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
themselves who have the onus of ensuring that it would be suitable for exemption.
Some producers may wish to have their work classified even though they may be exemptable nature as the public tend to be more familiar with proper certificates and it also provides more legal backing.
Requirements
The classifications usually applies to films which are primarily to inform, educateEducational film
An educational film is a film or movie whose primary purpose is to educate. Educational films have been used in classrooms as an alternative to other teaching methods.-Cultural significance:...
or instruct as opposed to entertain. It can also apply for such films which are primarily concerned with sport, religion or music
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
, provided that they do not contain material which would require classification. Such material would include: -
- Human sexual activity or acts of force or restraint associated with such activity.
- Mutilation or tortureTortureTorture is the act of inflicting severe pain as a means of punishment, revenge, forcing information or a confession, or simply as an act of cruelty. Throughout history, torture has often been used as a method of political re-education, interrogation, punishment, and coercion...
of, or other acts of gross violence towards, humans or animals. - Human genital organsSex organA sex organ, or primary sexual characteristic, as narrowly defined, is any of the anatomical parts of the body which are involved in sexual reproduction and constitute the reproductive system in a complex organism; flowers are the reproductive organs of flowering plants, cones are the reproductive...
or human urinary or excretory functions. - Techniques likely to be useful in the commission of offences; or are likely to any significant extent to stimulate or encourage such sexual activities.
- Likely to any extent to encourage mutilation, torture or gross violence.
- Likely to any significant extent to stimulate or encourage the commission of offences.
If the work does include any of the above elements or is likely to stimulate or encourage them, then the right to an exemption is lost and that work must be submitted to the Board for classification. If a film is treated as exempt when it should have been classified, local trading standard officers can investigate and the distributors and/or vendors can be prosecuted.
There have been many music documentary DVDs released with exemption from BBFC classification despite containing bad language. This is permitted as the bad language is not a primary factor and not excessive.