PEGI Expands to Mobile Via New Global Initiative
PEGI announced today the expansion of its rating system to mobile and digital storefronts in Europe, as part of a global initiative with other classification authorities from around the world. The International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) was established to streamline the process for assigning age and content ratings to the high volume of digitally delivered games and mobile apps coming into the market today. The IARC system is currently adopted for use in Google Play and Firefox Marketplace, and Microsoft’s Xbox Live® Store, Nintendo® eShop and the Sony PlayStation® Store are expected to do so at a later date.
"I really applaud this responsible move”, says Robert Madelin, Director General of DG CONNECT, European Commission. "Age-rating apps in a way that is generally applicable, transparent, and consistent and that is familiar and understandable to users is an important step in making the internet a better place for children.”
Founded in late 2013, the IARC system represents the first time international ratings organisations have joined forces to agree on a unified process that simultaneously generates ratings for multiple territories
while preserving each of their distinct cultural standards. Currently, the IARC process assigns the familiar and trusted content rating icons from PEGI (Europe), ESRB (North America), ClassInd (Brazil), USK (Germany) and the Classification Board in Australia, with more rating authorities expected to join in the future. All publishers on the participating platforms will be required to use the IARC procedure during the on-boarding process. There is no cost to publishers to obtain ratings via IARC and the process is designed to be fast and easy.
The initial five IARC rating authority participants, which collectively represent regions serving approximately 1.5 billion people, include:
- Pan European Game Information (PEGI) – Europe
- Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK) – Germany
- Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) – North America
- Classificação Indicativa (ClassInd) – Brazil
- Classification Board – Australia
For more information about IARC, please visit www.globalratings.com.