Explanatory note

These Regulations make transitional provision in relation to the issue of classification certificates by a designated authority under section 4 of Video Recordings Act 1984 (“the 1984 Act”). Sections 40(2), (3) and (5) of the Digital Economy Act 2010, which come into force on 30^th July 2012 by Appointed Day Order made under section 47 of that Act, make amendments to the 1984 Act to secure a new statutory classification regime for video games. On the coming into force date of these provisions video games that are only suitable for viewing by persons aged twelve years and over and intended for supply in the United Kingdom will be required to be submitted to the “video games authority” for classification (subject to any allocation of responsibility made under section 4ZB of the 1984 Act). The “video games authority” is designated by the Secretary of State under sections 4 and 4ZA of the 1984 Act as the authority responsible for making arrangements for matters specified in that Act regarding video games.

These regulations preserve any determination made by the “video games authority” or the “video works authority” prior to the 30^th July 2012 as to the suitability of a video game to be viewed by persons aged 12 years or above so that video game publishers will not be required to re-submit the same video game for the formal issue of a classification certificate to the newly designated video games authority on or after the 30^th July 2012.

An Explanatory Memorandum is published alongside these Regulations on www.legislation.gov.uk.