Video Games: Commission Welcomes Progress on Protection of Minors in 23 EU Member States and Calls for Code of Conduct Within Two Years
WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
Following a survey of existing measures to protect minors from
harmful video games across the 27 EU Member States, the European
Commission today called for a retailers' Code of Conduct to be drawn
up within two years.
Twenty EU Member States now apply PEGI (Pan European Games
Information), an age-rating system developed by industry, with EU
support, since 2003. In the Commission's view, industry must invest
more to strengthen and in particular to regularly update the PEGI
system so that it becomes a truly effective pan-European tool. Also,
industry and public authorities should step up cooperation to make
classification and age rating systems better known and to avoid
confusion caused by parallel systems.
"Video games have become a strong pillar of Europe's content
industry and are experiencing booming sales across Europe. This is
welcome, but implies greater responsibility for the industry to ensure
that parents know what kind of games their children play," said
Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for the Information Society and Media.
"PEGI, as an example of responsible industry self-regulation and the
only such system with almost pan-European coverage, is certainly a
very good first step. However, I believe it can be greatly improved,
in Europe and beyond, by making the public more aware about its
existence and fully implementing PEGI Online. I also call on Member
States and the industry to govern the sale of video games in shops to
respect the fundamental need to protect minors."
"All consumers need clear, accurate information to make informed
choices. But this is particularly about children - some of the most
vulnerable consumers in society. 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," added Meglena Kuneva, the EU Consumer Commissioner.
According to the Commission survey, the PEGI system is currently
applied by 20 Member States. 2 countries (Germany and Lithuania) have
specific binding legislation while Malta relies on general
legislation. However, 4 Member States (Cyprus, Luxembourg, Romania and
Slovenia) have no system in place. 15 Member States have legislation
concerning the sale of video games with harmful content to minors in
shops, although the scope of laws varies between Member States. Until
now, 4 countries (Germany, Ireland, Italy, UK) have banned certain
violent video games.
Adopted in 2003, PEGI labels provide an age rating and warnings
such as violence or bad language, empowering parents to decide which
game is appropriate for their children, as well as adult gamers to
better choose their games. PEGI is supported by the major console
manufacturers in Europe. PEGI Online was launched in 2007, co-funded
by the EU's Safer Internet Program in response to the rapid growth of
online video games.
The Commission has called for several measures to converge
approaches in the Single Market:
-- Regular improvement and better advertising of PEGI and PEGI
Online by the video games industry.
-- Member States should integrate PEGI into their own
classification systems and raise awareness of PEGI,
particularly parents and children.
-- Cooperation on innovative age verification solutions between
Member States, classification bodies and other stakeholders.
-- A pan-European Code of Conduct on the sale of games to minors
within two years, agreed by all stakeholders.
Background:
Video games are increasingly accessible via internet and mobile
phones, which are expected to make up 33% of total revenues for video
games by 2010. The European video gaming sector is already worth half
as much as the entire European music market and exceeds the cinema box
office. The Commission already supports self-regulation at European
level to protect minors using mobile phones. Self-regulation
strengthened by cross-border cooperation has also been pursued for
audiovisual services under the Television Without Frontiers Directive.
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Commission Communication "On the protection of consumers, in
particular minors, in respect of the use of video games":
http://ec.europa.eu/avpolicy/reg/minors/video/index_en.htm
The EU's Safer Internet program:
http://ec.europa.eu/saferinternet
PEGI:
http://www.pegi.info/
http://www.pegionline.eu
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Delegation of the European Commission to the
United States
Anthony Smallwood, 202-862-9523
or
Kasper Zeuthen, 202-862-9530
Copyright Business Wire 2008
