1.1.2007

All films or audio-visual programmes as referred to in the Act are not suitable for everyone. Therefore Finland has the Act on the Classification of Audio-Visual Programmes, which is based on child-protection issues. Only audio-visual programmes meant for persons who have not attained the age of 18 are subject to prior classification; adults may decide themselves what to watch (within the limits set in the Penal Code).

The task of the Finnish Board of Film Classification is to classify audio-visual programmes to be exhibited and distributed in Finland to persons who have not attained the age of 18 and to set age categories for them. The age category is based inter alia on the amount and quality of the violent, sexual or horrific content of the film. A film may be prohibited from persons who have not attained the age of 7, 11, 13, 15 or 18. It may also be allowed for all ages. The age categories of films are binding, i.e., they have to be complied with. In movie theatre exhibitions, however, a person two years younger that the age category is allowed to see the movie accompanied by an adult.The flex is not applicable to the age category of 18.

Audio-visual programmes meant for adults do not need classification. Only a notification thereon shall be submitted to the Finnish Board of Film Classification.

The authority of the Finnish Board of Film Classification covers the regulation and supervision of the public exhibition of films (movie theatres, shops, hotels, restaurants, etc.) and the distribution of recordings of audio-visual programmes (VHS, DVD for home use).  The provisions of the Act on the Classification of Audio-Visual Programmes shall be complied with also in Video-On-Demand services.  

Television broadcasting activities have their own regulations based on broadcasting times of programmes. The Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority is in charge of the supervision of television programmes the content of which is harmful for children.

The exhibition and distribution of films without prior notification or classification and registration and age-category markings as well as in violation of the age category to a person who has not attained it, is an offence for which one may be sentenced to at most 6 months of imprisonment.

Distribution and exhibition of pictures or visual recordings depicting brutal violence as well as of sexually obscene pictures and visual recordings depicting children, sexual violence or bestiality are forbidden in the Penal Code. Also an attempt to distribute them shall be punished. A visual recording cannot be condemned as illegal on these grounds if the audio-visual programme has been classified and its exhibition and distribution has been approved by the Finnish Board of Film Classification.

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