Fireworks: Import, storage and sale
An overview of the rules that regulate the import, storage and sale of fireworks in the UK.
As they are explosives, there are strict rules in place in Great Britain (GB) regulating the import, storage and sale of fireworks. Fireworks are properly referred to in legislation as ‘pyrotechnic articles’.
Can all fireworks be put on the market?No, all fireworks manufactured in or imported into GB must be safe. The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 (as amended) deal with the safety of fireworks as a consumer product. Economic operators (manufacturers, importers, and distributors) must not place fireworks on the GB market unless they conform with essential safety requirements, including the correct application of either a CE or UKCA mark.
In addition, the Consumer Protection Act 1987 requires all consumer goods (including fireworks) to meet an acceptable standard of safety. It is an offence to supply goods which do not comply with the general safety requirement.
Can fireworks be stored anywhere?No. As explosives, the Explosives Regulations 2014 create a single licensing system for the storage of explosives. The regulations prohibit the acquisition of more than 50kg of fireworks without a storage licence from the relevant local licensing authority. They also prohibit the sale or transfer of more than 50kg of fireworks to a person who does not have a storage licence.
Local authorities and the Health & Safety Executive may, if they wish, inspect storage facilities.
How is the supply of fireworks regulated?Manufacturers, importers and distributors are required, under the Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 (as amended), to keep all technical documentation and the declaration of conformity for a period of 10 years (beginning on the day on which the firework is first placed on the GB market). They must also keep a record of the registration numbers of fireworks, who has supplied them, and to whom they have sold fireworks.
Importers are required to supply this information at the point of entry (the ports) to help ensure that their fireworks are destined for legitimate storage and distribution.
How must fireworks be labelled?All fireworks offered for sale in Great Britain must carry either a CE or UKCA mark to show they are safe and conform to safety standards.
Fireworks must also be categorised and labelled according to their explosive content. The label must also include instructions on safety distances and means of ignition and safety messages. The various categories of fireworks are as follows:
- Category F1 fireworks present a low hazard and are intended for use in confined areas, including inside domestic buildings.
- Category F2 fireworks present a low hazard and are intended for outdoor use in confined areas, such as a small garden.
- Category F3 display fireworks present a medium hazard and are intended for outdoor use in large open areas, such as an open field.
- Category F4 fireworks present a high hazard and are intended for professional use only.
Categories 1, 2, and 3 fireworks can be sold to the public. Category 4 fireworks must not be sold to the public
Can any retailer sell fireworks all year round?No, under the Fireworks Regulations 2004 (as amended) the sale of fireworks to the public is prohibited except from licensed traders. However, fireworks can be sold by unlicenced sellers during the following limited periods:
- 15 October to 10 November
- 26 to 31 December
- Chinese New Year and the preceding three days
- Diwali and the preceding three days
The penalty for committing the offence of supplying a category F2 or F3 firework to any person under 18 years or supplying a category F1 firework to any person under 16 years, is a fine of up to £5,000 and up to 6 months’ imprisonment.
Local authority Trading Standards officers are responsible for enforcing regulations on consumer safety and age of purchase.
What is the position in Scotland and Northern Ireland?The regulation of the sale of fireworks in Scotland is regarded as a consumer safety issue and as such is a reserved matter. However, the use of fireworks is a devolved matter, and there is some legislative variation in respect of Scotland.
The Fireworks (Scotland) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2021 (as amended) control the way the general public can access and use consumer fireworks. Specifically, the regulations:
- Restrict the times of day fireworks can be used by the general public to between 6pm and 11pm, with the exception of 5 November (when they can be used from 6pm until midnight), Hogmanay, the night of Chinese New Year and the night of Diwali (when they can be used from 6pm until 1am)
- Restrict the times of day fireworks can be supplied to the general public to between 7am and 6pm, alongside requirements on retailers around sale and storage licences
- Limit the quantity of fireworks that can be supplied to the general public to 5kg at any one time.
Under the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022, it is a criminal offence for anyone to supply fireworks or other pyrotechnic articles to a child or person under 18. The penalty is a £5,000 fine, six-months imprisonment, or both.
In Northern Ireland, it is a legal requirement that a licence be obtained for the sale, purchase, possession, handling, or use of fireworks. There are strict rules for selling fireworks legally and retail premises must be registered with the Department of Justice.
Further information- Regulation of Fireworks (PDF), House of Commons Library
- Fireworks: Purchase, possession and use, House of Commons Library
- Fireworks: the law, GOV.UK
- Fireworks, Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
- Fireworks: the law, Scottish Government
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