If the intention is to exhibit or distribute an audio-visual programme to persons who have not attained the age of 18, and if it cannot, on the basis of its contents, be exempted from prior classification, the audio-visual programme shall be submitted to the Finnish Board of Film Classification for classification, i.e., for determining the age category. The classification application shall be made either through the electronic E-ILMO system or on an application for classification. The classification is subject to a charge. The amount of the classification fee shall be provided for by a Decree of the Ministry of Education.

In the classification, the age group of children, to whose psychological development the audio-visual programme can be deemed to be detrimental, shall be assessed. An audio-visual programme may be prohibited from persons who have not attained the age of 7, 11, 13, 15 or 18. It may also be allowed to all ages. The classification does not assess the suitability of the audio-visual programme or the age category for which the audio-visual programme is intended.

The age category shall be determined on the basis of the amount and nature of violent, sexual or horrific contents referred to in the Act on the Classification of Audio-Visual Programmes as matters which have a detrimental effect on the development of children. Also other material corresponding to the factors referred to in the Act with a detrimental effect on the development of children (for example, use of drugs) may have an effect on the determination of the age category.

The age category determined by the Finnish Board of Film Classification is always mandatory, therefore not a recommendation. In public exhibitions of films, also a child two years younger than the age category may be allowed to the exhibition when accompanied by an adult. The two-year flex does, however, not apply to the highest age category of 18.

The Finnish Board of Film Classification shall have the right to request an audio-visual programme exempted from classification on the basis of its contents for prior classification if there is reason to suspect that it contains material which is harmful to children.

The age rating decision is made by one or more examiners. The aim of the classification is that experts of both child development and audio-visual communications take part in the decision-making. The classification decision may, however, be made by one examiner if the decision is in accordance with the application.

If the party submitting the programme for classification is not satisfied with the age category decision of the Finnish Board of Film Classification, the decision may be appealed against to the Appeal Board of Film Classification. Appeal instructions are issued in connection with the classification decision.

When exhibiting a film, the exhibition copy shall be accompanied by the classification decision of the Finnish Board of Film Classification or a register extract indicating inter alia the age category of the film. When distributing a film, the information on the age category, etc. shall be marked on the packaging of the recording in accordance with the instructions of the Finnish Board of Film Classification.

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