Research - Certificate information.

"15: Suitable only for 15 years
and over No one younger than 15 may
see a ‘15’ film in a cinema.
No one younger than 15 may
rent or buy a ‘15’ rated
video work. "

The discrimination in the film must not include discriminatory language or behaviour. 


Any Drug taking may be shown in the film but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable. The horror within the film may include strong threat and menace unless it's seen as sadistic or sexualised. Dangerous behaving for example hanging, suicide and self-harming shouldn't dwell in a great detail which is easily copied by the audience. Weapons which are easily accessible should not be glamorised. The language expected in a film with a certificate 15 can be frequently strong however the strongest terms are only acceptable if justified by the context. Agressive and repeated use of really strong language is unlikey to be acceptable. Nudity may be allowed within a sexual context however this should not be in strong detail. There aren't any constriants on nudity in a non-sexual or education context.  Sexual activity can be portrayed as long as there is not strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour however the strongest references are unlikely to acceptable unless they are being jusitifed within the context of the film. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal is very unlikely to be acceptable. No Themes are prohibited as long as the other parts of the film fit in with the appropirateness for 15 years old. The violdence within the film may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest images are unlikely to be acceptable for the film; Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also prohibeted. There may be detalied verbal ferences to sexual violence but any portrayal of this kind of violence must be dicreet and have a strong justification.


"Suitable only for adults
No-one younger than 18 may
see an ‘18’ film in a cinema.
No-one younger than 18 may
rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video."The certificate regulations for an 18  follow the principle that adults should be free to choose their
own entertainment. However there are expections where the material is in breach of criminal law. Where material or treament apperars to risk harm to individuals or to the gernal society through their behaviour.
This can presented though the use of dangerous acts, illegal drug use which may cause harm to the public health and morals. This can also include the portrayl of sexual violencet. The use of explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be jusitifed by context is an expection that is expected to be met. Such images should be rated as 'R18' works instead of an 18. 

The differences between the two certificates are that 18s allow much visual images of things such as gore and sexual references. Certificate 18 allows stronger language to be used unlike 15's which need the work to be justified to a much greater level, however both so still need to be justified in order to be acceptable to be viewed by the public.