Updated May 2, 2005

Finnish Board of Film Classification (Valtion elokuvatarkastamo) Open: Mon - Fri 9.00 - 16.15 (GMT +2) Jaakonkatu 5 B FIN-00100 Helsinki FINLAND Telephone: +358 9 2285 4462 Telefax: +358 9 2285 4470 E-mail: (office)Tuula.Roos@vet.fi or (director)Matti.Paloheimo@vet.fi

New Act on Classification of Audiovisual Programs (775/2000) came into force January 1, 2001

The Act in a  nutshell

Objective: Protection of Children

The Act applies to

• public exhibition of audiovisual programs (cinema)

• distribution of audiovisual programs (videos, DVD) for private use

• video-on-demand

• exhibition and distribution of interactive audiovisual programs (games) to some extent
  
   

The Act doesn’t apply to

•   Television broadcasts
•   Online distribution of interactive games (downloads)

Harmful programs

An audiovisual program is considered harmful to children’s development when it is likely to have a detrimental effect on their development through its

•   violent content

•   sexual content

•   horrific content

•   other comparable content  

Classification of programs

•  Only programs exhibited or distributed to persons under 18 have to be classified. 
•   Age categories are: General, 7, 11, 13 (starting Jan,1 2007) 15, 18.
•   When a program is publicly exhibited a PG-option ”2 years younger may attend if accompanied by an adult” is applied in categories 7, 11, 13 and 15.

Exempt from classification even when exhibited or distributed to persons under 18 years are

1. Interactive games (video and computer games), however distributors have to provide each game with an age recommendation. (PEGI rating is accepted, if PEGI is unavailabe Finnish logo is required)

2. Programs which:
   - advertise products (not films for minors),
   - contain music, sport, educational, scientific or culture related material,
   - deal with nature, tourism, devotional services and corresponding subjects
   - are suitable for small children etc.

Registration of unclassified programs 

•    Exempt programs have to be registered.
•    If during the registration process suspicion arises that an exempt program might contain material harmful to children the board may order program to be classified.

Marking of classification and registration data

The container or the wrapping of each audiovisual program distributed in Finland must have one of the following labels.

Symbols for classified programs/games	Explanation
	Classified by the Board. For all ages.
	Classified by the Board. Only for persons over 7 years.
	Classified by Board. Only for persons over 11 years.
	Classified by Board. Only for persons over 13 years.
	Classified by the Board. Only for persons over 15 years.
	Classified by the Board. Only for persons over 18 years.
Symbols for registered programs
	Registered. For all ages.
	Registered. Recommended for persons over 7. Can be used only in interactive programs (games) and only if PEGI age classification is not used.
	Registered. Recommended for persons over 12. Can be used only in interactive programs (games) and only if PEGI age classification is not used.
	Registered. Recommended for persons over 16. Can be used only in interactive programs (games) and only  if PEGI age classification is not used.
	Registered. Only for persons over 18.

Further information on marking of programs/games.

Penalties

Penal Code (Chapter 17)

It is a criminal offence to sell, hire or otherwise distribute

•    films and other moving pictures depicting brutal violence.(Section 17)
•    pictures or moving pictures depicting  sexual violence or animal pornography or child pornography. (Section 18)
•    an unclassified program to a person under 18 or a classified program to a younger person than the classification category requires. (Section 18 a)

 Penalties for offences against the Act 775/2000 and Penal Code 

•    Offences against the Act on Classification of Audiovisual Programs: a fine
•    Offences against the Penal Code Chapter 17 Section 17 and 18: a fine or max imprisonment for two years
•   Offences against the Penal Code Chapter 17 Section 18 a: a fine or max imprisonment for six months.

Further information:Director Matti Paloheimo, e-mail: matti.paloheimo@vet.fi
Senior Examiner Maarit Pietinen, e-mail: maarit.pietinen@vet.fi  

The Board

Finnish Board of Film Classification consists of director and a sufficient number of other inspectors. The director is appointed by the Ministry of Education. The director appoints the inspectors. The director has to be an expert on audiovisual communications. Part of the inspectors have to have expertise in questions relating to child development and part in audiovisual communications.

The Appeal Board of Film Classification

Decisions of the Board can be appealed against to the Appeal Board. The appeal process is open only to the distributors or the producers. The Appeal Board consists of six members (with personal deputies), appointed by the government for a term of three years. 

If the distributor or the producer is not satisfied with the decision of the Appeal Board, it can be appealed to the Supreme Administrative Court.

Decisions of the Appeal Board 1998-2005

To the beginning