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The British Board of Film Classification is
an
independent, non-governmental body, which has
classified cinema
films since it was set up in 1912, and videos since the
passing of
the Video Recordings Act in 1984.
Cinema
The British Board of Film
Censors was set up in 1912 by the film industry as an
independent body to bring a degree of
uniformity to the classification of film nationally.
Statutory powers on film remain with the
local
councils, which may overrule any of the Board's decisions, passing
films we reject, banning films we have passed, and even waiving cuts,
instituting new ones, or altering categories for films exhibited under
their own licensing jurisdiction.
Video
In 1984 Parliament passed the Video
Recordings
Act. This act stated that, subject to certain exemptions, video
recordings offered for sale or hire commercially in the UK must be
classified by an authority designated by the Secretary of
State.
The President and Vice Presidents of the BBFC were so
designated, and charged with applying the new test of 'suitability for
viewing in the home'. At this point the Board's title was changed to
British Board of Film Classification to reflect the fact that
classification plays a far larger part in the Board's work than
censorship.
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