Film Classification
The task of the SBB is to judge whether films, or film sequences, are liable to have a brutalizing effect on the audience. Every film and every sequence is judged in its own unique context and the judgments are based on expertise and experience.

For a younger audience, under the age of 15, the SBB take into account the likelihood of children in various age groups being exposed to mental harm.

Only a very limited amount of violence is allowed in films for very young children. The classification process also includes assessments of film sequences that may have a terrifying effect on young children, including films and sequences that are difficult for children to understand and liable to cause confusion and fear. Since cinema films in in most cases are subtitled and not dubbed, the possibility for children to read the subtitles is sometimes an issue.

For audiences over the age of 15, the only scenes that may be banned are such where "the events are depicted in such a manner and in such a context as to have a brutalizing effect. The assessment shall take particular account of whether the film contains explicit or protracted scenes of severe violence to people or animals or depicts sexual violence or coercion or presents children in pornographic situations."

Films must not be approved for children under the age of 15 if they are liable to cause children in the relevant age group mental harm. Apart from films that are passed for universal viewing, the age limits for the different categories are 7, 11 and 15.

Children under the age of 7, who are accompanied by an adult (a person aged 18 or over), are admitted to films that have been passed for children from the age of 7; and children from the age of 7, who are accompanied by an adult, are admitted to films that have been passed for children from the age of 11.

When a film distributor submits a film for examination he must declare what age limit he wishes. This has to do with his right to appeal the decisions of the SBB.

In the case of films for audiences under the age of 15, the decision must always be made by at least two censors; in other cases only one censor is needed.

If a distributor is dissatisfied with a decision of the SBB, he can appeal to the administrative court of appeal. When such cases are heard two special members must take part, one of whom has expert knowledge of film matters and the other of behavioural sciences. If still dissatisfied with the outcome, the distributor can appeal this decision also to the highest administrative court of appeal in Sweden.

However, appeals are made first to the SBB itself, which then decides whether there are reasons for reviewing the decision.

All documents relating to the examination of films are available to the public. This also applies to cuts made by the SBB.