The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), which classifies video for cinema and DVD use in the UK, announced today that they will allow the use of their certificates online for the first time, for use on downloadable and streaming movies.

Strictly Broadband, the UK's leading adult VoD provider, is the first adult web site owner to belong to the BBFC.online scheme. At the time of the scheme's launch at 11:00 on 21st May, nine Zero Tolerance movies on the Strictly Broadband site carry the online certificate, and many more will be added in the coming weeks.

The scheme is voluntary, and for the first time provides some guarantees to webmasters that they cannot be prosecuted under existing British legislation covering the sale of hardcore pornography. It is hoped within the adult industry that mainstream media companies, who have so far avoided adult content due to the vague legal situation, will begin to join and expand the market, providing a much-needed sales increase to adult producers facing declining sales.

Full scheme information can be found at the BBFC's web site.