August 5th 2004

Important - Packaging Submissions

Following a comprehensive review and detailed discussion with industry representatives, the work of the Video Packaging Review Committee (VPRC) is being revamped from 1 September 2004.

The remit, guidelines and submission process are being updated to reflect current concerns and practices more accurately and the responsibilities of submitting companies are being set out more clearly. The helpful checklist below will guide clients around the most common obstacles to approval.

In practice the changes are unlikely to make any significant difference to the acceptability of individual sleeves with respect to 'taste and decency' issues however there are a couple of practical changes which may affect you:

1. From September 1 2004, final approval will only be given to finished sleeves or to colour proofs that are actual sleeve size and fully trimmed. Magnified or reduced versions will not be approved.
2. From September 1 2004, the full VPRC will meet in cyberspace when called upon to adjudicate on the acceptability of a sleeve. If a submitted sleeve is referred to the full VPRC then the submitting company will be asked to provide an electronic version which will then be forwarded to VPRC members for consideration. Issues relating to the Video Recordings (Labelling) Regulations 1985 are not normally referred to the full VPRC.  Sleeves should continue to be submitted in hard copy only in the first instance.
3. From September 1 2004 , the minimum diameter size for the VPRC logo will be reduced to 8mm

If you have any queries please contact the BBFC client helpline on 020 7440 0299

VPRC Packaging Submission – Checklist for Clients

To avoid unnecessary delays please check the following before submitting your packaging to the VPRC. This is not an exhaustive list but covers the areas most commonly causing delays or requiring modification.

If the answer to any question is 'no' the packaging will not be approved.

• Have you included a fully completed and signed submission form?
  (these can be downloaded from our website)
• Have you included three trimmed copies of the packaging?
  (you must confirm the format on the submission form)
• Is the submitted packaging actual size?
  (you must confirm this on the submission form)
• Are all claims about the film true (e.g. 'Uncut')?
  (you must confirm this on the submission form)
• Are all stills taken from the classified version of the film?
  (you must confirm this on the submission form)
• Are category symbols present and full size on front cover and one other face (excluding the spine)?
  (letters/numbers – e.g. 'U' or '15' - must be at least 5mm high excluding the  shadow)
• If spine is 2cm across or greater, is category symbol present and full size?
  (a spine less than 2cm across may contain a smaller symbol, or no symbol at all)
• Does one face (not the spine) include the category symbol and appropriate explanatory statement within a single rectangular shaped frame?
  (lines within the rectangular frame should not extend to the sides of the frame)
• Are category symbols the correct colour and shape for the category?

(please note, clients can download appropriate symbols and templates from the BBFC website, please contact the Client Helpline on 020 7440 0299 for details)