The ESRB continues to work with retailers to provide consumers with information about the
ratings and to support their store policy regarding the sale and/or rental of M (Mature) and
AO (Adults Only) rated games. In order to accomplish this, ESRB works with retailers in the
United States and Canada in the following ways:
ESRB Retail Council
In November 2005, the ESRB
Retail Council (ERC) was voluntarily established to facilitate
regular communication and input for consideration on matters of
common interest to U.S. computer and video game retailers and the
ESRB. Chief among these interests is to ensure that ERC members
support ratings education and store policy enforcement programs, which
are summarized in the ERC
Commitment to Parents Code.
For more information on the ESRB Retail Council, click
here.
Retail Council of Canada
In October 2004, in partnership with the Retail
Council of Canada (RCC), their members and the Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESA Canada), the Commitment To Parents
initiative was launched in Canada. The RCC Commitment To Parents initiative is a voluntary program in which
computer and video game retailers in Canada agree not to sell or rent games that carry an M (Mature)
or AO (Adults Only) rating to anyone under the age of 17 or 18, respectively. Participating retailers also agree to display ratings
education signage, provide training information for sales associates and resolve consumer complaints regarding
lack of enforcement of the RCC Code by store associates.
In-Store Signage
ESRB works with national, regional and local retailers
to post ratings education and store policy signage. Additional collateral material,
including store associate training manuals and rating information for websites and print vehicles,
is also provided by the ESRB.
As an example of these efforts, the ESRB teamed up with Ingram Entertainment Inc., the leading national distributor of home entertainment products, to distribute to 10,000 independent and small chain retailers nationwide ready-to-use in-store signage educating consumers about the ESRB ratings and supporting store policies regarding the sale or rental of Mature-rated video games to those under the age of 17.
How to Obtain Signage for Your Store
Retailers can download high-resolution artwork of signage,
store associate training materials and other marketing collateral directly
from this website upon submitting a completed Retailer
Registration Form. Retailers may also order signage online
through an authorized third party vendor. Certain signage components
are available in French and Spanish.
ESRB ratings are trademarked and the property of the Entertainment
Software Association (ESA).
