Uppdated: June 25, 2009

An audio-visual programme shall be considered harmful to the development of children when it is likely to have a detrimental effect on the development of children through its violent, sexual or horrific content or in a comparable manner.

The classification authority shall approve an audio-visual programme for exhibition and distribution to persons of all ages if it is not harmful to the development of children or determine an age category for its exhibition and distribution. The exhibition and distribution of an audio-visual programme to persons who have not attained the age of 18 may be banned or an age category of 15, 13, 11 or 7 may be imposed on the audio-visual programme in accordance with its content.

Marking of age categories

The packaging of an audio-visual programme to be distributed (sale, rental or other conveyance) shall indicate the information further specified in the Act of which the age category and identification number shall be marked on the back or front side of the packaging, in its lower part. In on-demand-service the age category of the programme has to appear together with other statutory information.

Age category markings of classified programmes

For all ages.

Only for persons over 7 years. The programme may be conveyed only to a person who has attained the age of 7. The film may be exhibited to a person at most 2 years younger if accompanied by an adult.

Only for persons over 11 years. The programme may be conveyed only to a person who has attained the age of 11.

Only for persons over 13 years. The programme may be conveyed only to a person who has attained the age of 13.

Only for persons over 15 years. The programme may be conveyed only to a person who has attained the age of 15.

Only for persons over 18 years. The programme may be conveyed only to a person who has attained the age of 18.

 

Symbols of programmes subject to notification

If the EAN code of the programme is registered as the identification number of the programme, the name of the company distributing the programme shall be printed instead of the identification number.

Unclassified. For all ages. The programme contains music, sports, travelling or other material referred to in section 4 of the Act or the programme has been sent on television and it does not contain material harmful to children.

Unclassified. The programme has been sent on television and it is not considered harmful for persons over 7 years of age. Not recommended for persons under that age. (Section 4 a)

Unclassified. The programme has been sent on television during a weekday after 5 pm. and it is not considered harmful for persons over 11 years of age. Not recommended for persons under that age. (Section 4 a)

Unclassified. The programme has been sent on television during a weekday after 7 pm. and it is not considered harmful for persons over 13 years of age. Not recommended for persons under that age. (Section 4 a)

Unclassified. Only for persons over 18 years. The programme may be conveyed only to a person who has attained the age of 18.

Other statutory information: the name and duration of the programme and other such information may be market on the packaging freely.

Exhibition of a classified audio-visual programme

When publicly exhibiting a classified audio-visual programme, the classification decision issued by the Finnish Board of Film Classification on the programme or a register extract indicating inter alia the age category and the distributor of the film shall accompany the exhibition copy.

Marketing of audio-visual programmes

The age category of a film shall be disclosed in connection with the marketing of audio-visual programmes in order for the consumer to have information on an age restriction prior to the acquisition of a recording or arrival to an exhibition of a film.

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