The sales packagings of interactive audio-visual programmes, i.e., inter alia computer and video games, shall be equipped with the Pan-European (PEGI) age rating or a domestic marking.

In 2003, Finland joined the self-regulatory Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) system. PEGI is a system designed in cooperation with game manufacturers, child-welfare organisations and other corresponding organisations and national classification institutions, where the age ratings are based on criteria jointly agreed upon. The criteria differ to some extent from the age category grounds referred to in Finnish legislation. With regard to games, inter alia bad language or gambling have an effect on the age rating. The lower age categories of games are recommendations, not mandatory. The age category 18+ is, however, always binding, mandatory. Also the recommended age categories are based on the harmfulness of the game and therefore they should be complied with.

The PEGI system comprises two complementary elements. The first is an age rating, namely 3+, 7+, 12+, 16+ and 18+. The second element of the systems are icons describing the content of the game. These descriptors which are printed on the back of the game box in connection with the age rating describe the nature of the harmful contents of the game.

At the beginning of the year 2007, the Act on the Classification of Audio-Visual Programmes was amended so that the age rating of interactive audio-visual programmes need no longer correspond to the age rating of other audio-visual programmes. All the age categories of the PEGI system, also the 12+ and 16+ categories, may now be used also in Finland.

Age-rating logos of games and descriptors indicating the reason for the age rating (PEGI)

Violence	Sex	Fear	Drugs	Bad language	Discrimination	Gambling