New firework legislation now in force

The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 came into force on 17 August 2015 and applies to all of the United Kingdom.  The purpose of this instrument is to implement two EU Directives to meet the United Kingdom’s regulation obligations to improve firework safety, and revokes the Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2010.  The new regulations require retailers of fireworks to keep records for 10 years.  The records need to show where the fireworks were sourced from and this also brings about a change in the Statutory Fireworks Notices to be displayed at the premises.

The change is intended to make it easier to trace fireworks throughout the supply chain and to make the obligations and responsibilities of these in the supply chain clearer.  The duty is placed upon all ”economic operators” throughout the supply chain.

All pyrotechnic articles placed on the market will have to be labelled with a registration number. These new obligations may in fact put some small retailers off the sale of fireworks, as larger retailers will already have more sophisticated systems in place for record keeping.  The new legislation also includes additional enforcement powers for Local Authorities including issuing recall notices.

Please visit this link to view the legislation

NOTE:  Remember, it is illegal to sell category F2 fireworks or category F3 fireworks to anyone under the age of 18. It is also illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to possess such fireworks in a public place.

For further advice or assistance relating to this please contact Matt Foster, Partner and Head of Licensing and Gaming at Mincoffs Solicitors on 0191 212 7702 or email mfoster@mincoffs.co.uk.