Frequently asked questions

In principle, games can be sold to adults and advertised for everyone even if there is no USK rating. Still, if games are to be sold in a way that is accessible to minors (e.g. public retail stores), a USK age classification issued by the Supreme Youth Protection Authorities of the Federal States (OLJB) is legally required (pursuant to the Children and Young Persons Protection Act). As unrated titles do not bear any legal compliance, the biggest German retail stores, and online platformes as well as the German Games Industry Association (game e.V.) will only accept age classifications issued by the USK.

You can find all information you need in our article about the standard procedure.

The game will be examined within 5 (ad hoc), 12 (expedited) or 20 working days (regular) respectively. The USK Classification Certificate will be forwarded to the email address that was specified on the submission form. The actual date of receipt on your submission from determines teh start of the classification process. Please also note the closing times over Christmas and New Year. Deadlines and turnaround times will be extended accordingly.

The title must not have any A-bugs or other problems that prevent linear playthroughs. All game modes, cutscenes, voiceovers, sound effects, dialogue, weapons (as well as their effects) and levels must be included.

Yes, but if the identical game has already been rated on another platform, this new submission will usually be be processed as a simplified procedure (statement procedure), resulting in lower costs. In any case, the usual complete material for the age classification process has to be submitted.

A new classification is not compulsory for online distribution of titles with an existing USK classification. However, in accordance with Art.12 of the Youth Media Protection State Agreement (JMStV), an existing USK classification age rating symbol has to be displayed on the respective platform (e.g. PSN, Microsoft Store, Google Play Store, Nintendo eShop.). In case you need further information or help on this subject please feel free to contact us.

Applicants have the right to appeal against a classification decision within two weeks after being informed about the USK classification. The detailed statement containing the reasoning behind the classification will be forwarded to you in any case. Until then or for urgent matters you can request information about the reasons for the rating using this e-mail.

An appeal has to be filed in written form. There, the reasoning behind the applicant’s objection to the age rating should be made clear. We will keep you informed about the course of the appeal. Please note that the Permanent Representative who issued the rating based on a majority vote also has the right to appeal against the committe’s classification decision. More information about this can be found in the Articles 13-15 oft the USK General Policy Statement.

There are several possibilities that could prevent the publication of a classification process (e.g. ongoing procedures, title was legally banned/”indexed”). In many cases publishers want to prevent the publication of an age rating until the official release day.

If you ticked this option on the submission form, the title will not appear on the database on usk.de. Please note that only the applicant can lift this embargo. As soon as you fulfilled your obligation to send a retail copy to the USK, the classification results will be made public automatically.

A preview rating through the USK Classification Committee is not possible. Instead, the USK offers a consulting service. Based on e.g. gameplay material you can get unbinding advice on certain topics and possible issues, providing publishers with information about the general youth protection relevance of your product. For more detailed information please visit the consultancy section.

Yes, distributing games without a USK rating in Germany is in line with the existing statutory Regulations. Certain precautions have to be considered though. If your software clearly is a game (and no “infotainment” or “edutainment” program) then your title will be labeled as “unrated” in Germany – irrespective of whether a different rating authority (e.g. PEGI, ESRB, BBFC, CERO) has rated the title before. Therefore, the title can only be sold to adults. Titles without USK classifications could also potentially be practically banned for sale by being added to the “Index” by the Department for Media Harmful to Young Persons (BPjM).

If the respective title has been indexed by the BPjM, specific sales terms apply: Indexed titles must not be displayed, offered, announced or advertised publicly in places accessible to minors; they can only be sold directly to adult persons. Furthermore, indexed titles must not be publicly advertised (in accordance with Article 6, Section 1, Clause 6 JMStV). If you need further information regarding the distribution restrictions of indexed titles, consider speaking to one of our service consultants.

The protection of minors regarding online games are not governed by the Youth Protection Act (JuSchG), but by the Interstate Treaty on the Protection of Minors in the Media (JMStV). Please consult our Membership section about our services and the legal obligations for content providers.

Detailed information on the IARC process can be found here.

No. The rating is only valid within the immediate framework of the platform connected to IARC. It may not be used for the game/app outside the respective IARC platform. The age rating may be changed at any time by the USK on the basis of routine checks or external complaints if the information given in the questionnaire was incomplete and/or inaccurate.

Physically distributed games cannot be rated by the IARC system, they are legally required to go through the standard USK classification procedure according to the German Youth Protection Act (JuSchG). Such a USK classification obtained through standard procedure not only applies across media and platforms, it also offers legal security and indexing protection in Germany. It also applies within IARC platforms.

As USK classifications obtained through standard procedure are binding and can be used in print or online beyond the respective publication platform, they are recommended when a rating needs to be used in marketing publications. Here you can find more information on the standard procedure .

The IARC process is basically free of charge for publishers of apps and games. The IARC fees are paid for by the platform providers. If you have any further questions, please contact the relevant platform directly.

If you have further questions regarding IARC, its functionalities and teh resulting age ratings, please use our contact form.