A communication was published on the 22nd of April 2008, from the European Commission (EC), the European Parliment, the Council the European Economic and  SOcail Committee of the regions on on the protection of consumers, in particular minors, in respect of the use of video games.

The 2002 Council Resolution on the protection of consumers through the labelling of certain video and computer games stressed the need to provide clear information as regards the assessment of contents and rating by age group. The 2002 Council Resolution on the protection of consumers through the labelling of certain video and computer games  stressed the need to provide clear information as regards the assessment of contents and rating by age group. Clear and simple rating systems must be promoted in all the Member States to ensure greater transparency and the free movement of video games. The Council also stressed the importance of cooperation between all interested parties.

In the United Kingdom, the computer games industry uses PEGI for most video games. Video games with material of a sexual nature or portraying gross violence are subject to the approval of the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), which then awards age-related classifications that differ from PEGI.

The Commission is concerned about the increasing number of violent video games used by minors. It is important to analyse access to such games. Half of the Member States have specific legal provisions, in civil and criminal law, concerning the physical sale of video games with content harmful to minors, and there are various penalties to enforce these provisions.

As a result, bans on video games have come about. In Ireland, video games deemed to be unfit for viewing because of their violent character can be made the subject of a prohibition order by the Irish Film Censor's Office (IFCO). This was the case with the video game "Manhunt 2" in June 2007 . The first video game that was refused BBFC classification in the United Kingdom was "Carmageddon" in 1997. However, a modified version was later awarded a classification certificate.

Most EU Member States apply PEGI, the self-regulatory rating system for off-line video games which was launched in 2003. The vast majority of these Member States have related legislation and quite a number have recently improved their legislation or are in the process of doing so. Some Member States have even based this legislation on PEGI.

The situation for on-line games is different. Internet creates new challenges because of its easy access and global character. The majority of Member States do not have specific legislation for on-line video games. However, some Member States consider that legislation for off-line video games applies by analogy and some Member States use PEGI On-line, which was launched in June 2007.

What is PEGI?

The Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) age rating system was established in 2003 to help European parents make informed decisions on buying interactive games. Designed to ensure that minors are not exposed to games that are unsuitable for their particular age group, the system is supported by the major console manufacturers, including PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo, as well as by publishers and developers of interactive games throughout Europe.