     
The Selling
of Fireworks
When
can fireworks be sold - The
Fireworks Regulations 2004
Legal
requirements for the sale of fireworks
Fireworks that must not be supplied to the general
public
Preventing underage sales of fireworks
When
can fireworks be sold - The Fireworks Regulations
2004
The Fireworks Regulations
2004 place the following responsibilities on retailers.
A licence is required
to sell fireworks all year round. This licence costs
£500 and is issued by the County Council.
Without this licence
you can only sell fireworks at the following times:
1. On the first day of Chinese New Year and the three days preceding
it;
2. On the first day of Diwali and the three days preceding it;
3. During the period beginning 15 October and ending 10 November;
4. During the period beginning 26 December and ending on the 31 December.
To download a licence
application form as a pdf file - Size: 137kb. To view this form
you will require Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is free to download from
the Adobe
website.
If you would like
us to post a form to you - please contact
us.
The completed form
should be returned to us at:
Shropshire County
Council Trading Standards Service,
Shirehall,
Abbey Foregate,
Shrewsbury,
SY2 6ND .
together with appropriate
fee - see above. Please make cheques or postal orders payable to Shropshire
County Council.
We will then send
you a registration certificate together with a fresh application form
for the following year and any information leaflets.
A poster should
be provided by your supplier which states that it is illegal for persons
under the age of 18 to possess fireworks. This must be displayed in
clear view of the buying public.
It is now illegal
to supply a firework which has a decibel level of over 120 dB A-Imax.
If you sell in excess
of 50 Kg gross to any one purchaser, a record must be kept of the name
and address of the purchaser and the weight of the consignment.
Legal requirements
for the sale of fireworks
- It
is illegal to sell fireworks to anyone under the age of 18. The only
exceptions are party poppers, cracker snaps, caps, serpents or novelty
matches where the minimum age is 16.
- All
packets of sparklers must be labelled with the following statement
– “Warning: not to be given to children under 5 years of age”
-
Fireworks pre-packed in a selection box or pack must not be split
up and sold individually .
- All
fireworks sold for use by the general public must comply with British
Standard 7114. Do not stock fireworks unless they are marked “Complies
with BS 7114: Part 2 1988" (or for packs “Contents comply with
BS 7114: Part 2 1988").
- Fireworks
cannot be sold in the street or in any public place.
- The
name and address of the manufacturer must not be removed from the
packaging of the fireworks.
Fireworks that
must not be supplied to the general public
- Both small and
large bangers including batteries such as 'Chinese Crackers' and combinations
containing any type of banger (These larger bangers are those designed
for outdoor use in large open spaces and are classified as Category
3 fireworks)
- Mini-rockets
or Air Bombs
- Category 4 fireworks
- these are professional fireworks and are not intended for sale to
the general public
- Aerial maroons,
aerial shells, shell-in-mortars and maroon-in-mortars
- Any firework
with erratic flight, for example squibs, jumping crackers and helicopters
Preventing underage
sales of fireworks
- A notice must
be displayed in a prominent position, stating
“It is illegal to sell adult fireworks to anyone under the age
of eighteen. It is illegal for anyone under the age of eighteen to
possess adult fireworks in a public place”.
- This notice must
be at least 400mm x 300mm and whose letters must be at least 16mm
high.
- It is difficult
to assess the age of young people. Train staff to request proof of
age from customers who appear under 21. Only continue with the sale
if they prove that they are at least 18.
- Be aware of “novelty”
id cards. Only accept documentation containing a photo, and proof
of age cards that contain a “PASS” logo, such as ValidateUK,
Citizencard, Connexions card or Prove It card.
- Exercise your
right to refuse sales if you suspect that a young person is underage,
or that fireworks will be misused.
- Record all requests
for proof of age and monitor that all staff are doing so.
- In accordance
with Government guidelines, Shropshire County Council Trading Standards
Service uses underage volunteers to attempt to purchase fireworks
and other age restricted products.
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Page
last reviewed October 2007
Shropshire County
Council Trading Standards Service
Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY2 6ND
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