Below is the new R18 section from The official BBFC Guidelines: 

By the way.... A child of 12 can go into a bookshop and BUY the 50 shades of Gray BOOK! 

The R18 category is a special and legally-restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops. R18 video works may not be supplied by mail order.

The following content is not acceptable:

• material which is in breach of the criminal law, including material judged to be obscene under the

current interpretation of the Obscene Publications Act 1959 (see Annexe)

• material (including dialogue) likely to encourage an interest in sexually abusive activity which may include adults role-playing as non-adults

• the portrayal of sexual activity which involves real or apparent lack of consent. Any form of hysical restraint which prevents participants from indicating a withdrawal of consent

• the infliction of pain or acts which may cause lasting physical harm, whether real or (in a sexual context) simulated. Some allowance may be made for moderate, non-abusive, consensual activity

• penetration by any object associated with violence or likely to cause physical harm

• sexual threats, humiliation or abuse which do not form part of a clearly consenting role-playing  game. Strong physical or verbal abuse, even if consensual, is unlikely to be acceptable These Guidelines will be applied to the same standard regardless of sexual orientation of the activity portrayed.

Compulsory cuts

If a submitted work raises issues or concerns that cannot be addressed by classification at a particular age category, we may require cuts or other changes as a condition of classification. Such intervention is most likely when the submitted work contains:

• material which may promote criminal activity

• material which is obscene or otherwise illegal

• material created by means of the commission of a criminal offence

• portrayals of children in a sexualised or abusive context

• material which makes sexual or sadistic violence look normal, appealing, or arousing

• graphic images of real injury, violence or death presented in a salacious or sensationalist manner which risks harm by encouraging callous or sadistic attitudes

• material which reinforces the suggestion that victims enjoy sexual violence

• material which invites viewer complicity in sexual violence or other harmful violent activities

• sex works which contain material listed as unacceptable at R18

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