15 publishers sign up to PEGI Online

Pan European Gaming Information (PEGI) Online has signed up 15 publishers across Europe to its set of guidelines promoting online safety for children.

Backed and partially funded by the European Commission, the code of practice is designed to coordinate a specific set of measures, including an obligation to keep offensive user-generated content away from minors, and is recognised with the award of a PEGI Online logo.

Launched three months ago, all of the current Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE) members that have existing online concerns have now signed up, and the body's secretary general, Patrice Chazerand, believes that the system will continue to move forward.

"Prospects for establishing a harmonized safety standard throughout Europe for online video games look very promising."

The row over age ratings continues on several fronts in the UK, with the Byron Report set to publish its finding on videogame and internet violence next year, while a Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee is also investigating similar areas.

Meanwhile the BBFC, which also rates games in the UK, is currently embroiled in a dispute over Rockstar's Manhunt 2, which was recently cleared by the Video Appeals Committee after original being banned.

The organisation may opt to take the matter to the High Court, although no decision has yet been made.

The PEGI Online code includes six areas of responsibility: age-rated game content, appropriate reporting mechanisms, removal of inappropriate content, a coherent privacy policy, community standards for online subscribers and a responsible advertisement policy.

The companies who have so far signed up to the scheme are:

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