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Fact Sheet on Fireworks Legislation covering
safety and anti-social use.
Fireworks
supplied in the UK - whether they are imported or manufactured here
- must be authorised by the Health and Safety Executive. They must
also be safe as required by the Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997
(as amended).
At present, in both cases the benchmark is BS 7114.
It is an
offence, which can result in a fine of up to £5000 (and/or a prison
sentence), to:
• supply
(which includes retail sale), unsafe fireworks;
• sell
fireworks to persons under the age of 18;
• sell
fireworks all year round without a licence to supply;
• possess a
category 4 firework if other than a fireworks professional;
• possess
fireworks in a public place if under the age of 18;
•
set fireworks off after 11 o clock at night.
In addition, before storing fireworks,
suppliers must either register or licence their storage premises
with their local authority or, where large quantities are concerned,
the
Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Under the
Explosives Act 1875, it is also an offence to let-off fireworks in a
public place; or to alter them without a licence from HSE. The penalty for infringement is a fine of up to £5,000.
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Fireworks
Regulations 2004 |
A comprehensive package of new measures made
under the
Fireworks Act 2003 designed to tackle the anti-social use
of fireworks through the regulation of both use and supply. These
Regulations introduce a number of limited prohibitions on the
importation, sale, possession and use of fireworks late at night.
 Guidance
on the Fireworks Regulations 2004. This guidance is intended for
enforcers, the industry and suppliers of fireworks. It covers the
recent amendments made to the Regulations (revised edition).
Statutory Regulatory
Impact Assessment setting out the social, economic and environmental
costs of these Regulations.
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Fireworks
(Safety) Regulations 1997 |
This legislation prohibits the sale of
certain fireworks, places restrictions on those fireworks
permitted to be sold and restricts their sale to persons over the
age of 18. These measures are designed to promote consumer safety.
A Guide
to the Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997 as amended by the
Fireworks (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (SI
1997 No. 2294 and
SI 2004 No.1376.
Fireworks
injury data for the UK covering a four week period in October –
November 2004.
 The
Department of Trade and Industry continues to promote general fireworks safety.
Please
click here for the Department's Fireworks Safety web site for
further information
and resources.
Fireworks
Safety Code.
Contact
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