VSC confirms PEGI date

The Video Standards Council has confirmed the news broken by MCV yesterday that PEGI’s new age ratings will not become legally enforceable until April 1st 2011.

Although we had hoped that it would be implemented sooner, we are very pleased that the Government has now given us a definite date for implementation of the PEGI ratings system,” VSC director general Laurie Hall said in a statement.



Over the past year or so the VSC has been entirely restructured in terms of staff and other resources. There are some matters outstanding, but we will be fully up to speed and able to take on all our new responsibilities by the turn of the year.

We have consulted with retailers and acknowledge that January is probably not a good month for the new PEGI launch as they will be dealing with the Christmas break, and the January sales, not to mention the repercussions of the VAT change.

It is important that all sectors of the industry are fully aware of the changes and ready to take on the legal and other implications. Subject to that we shall be ready in the event the start date is by any chance brought forward.”

The regulator has reiterated that no games carrying the PEGI 18 logo should appear on store shelves before the set date.