The European Commission has ordered the computer games industry to come up with a voluntary code of conduct within two years to stop children having access to violent computer games.
Information Society and Media Commissioner Vivianne Reding has told the industry that a code of conduct for retailers must be in place within two years, so that existing ratings systems are better known.
The Commission has found that 20 of the EU's 27 countries use the Pan European Games Information (PEGI) system for classifying games by age. While three countries apply legislation to the area four countries have no system in place at all to regulate the access of young people to games.
"All consumers need clear, accurate information to make informed choices. But this is particularly about children – some of the most vulnerable consumers in society," said EU Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva. "And our clear message today is that industry and national authorities must go further to ensure that all parents have the power to make the right decisions for themselves and their child."
Only four of the EU's member nations have banned violent computer games. These are the UK, Ireland, Germany and Italy.
In the UK PEGI is used by industry for most games, but those containing sexual or grossly violent material are subject to the approval of film censors the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), which can give a game one of its age-related classifications.
Information Society and Media Commissioner Vivianne Reding has told the industry that a code of conduct for retailers must be in place within two years, so that existing ratings systems are better known.
The Commission has found that 20 of the EU's 27 countries use the Pan European Games Information (PEGI) system for classifying games by age. While three countries apply legislation to the area four countries have no system in place at all to regulate the access of young people to games.
"All consumers need clear, accurate information to make informed choices. But this is particularly about children – some of the most vulnerable consumers in society," said EU Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva. "And our clear message today is that industry and national authorities must go further to ensure that all parents have the power to make the right decisions for themselves and their child."
In the UK PEGI is used by industry for most games, but those containing sexual or grossly violent material are subject to the approval of film censors the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), which can give a game one of its age-related classifications.
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