Fireworks Regulations 2004
Encyclopedia
The Fireworks Regulations 2004 http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2004/20041836.htm impose restrictions on the importation, supply and possession of fireworks in England, Wales and Scotland. The regulations were made under the Fireworks Act 2003 http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2003/20030022.htm. In particular, the regulations introduced the following measures:
Some of these regulations are not applicable to Scotland
, and none of them apply in Northern Ireland
, which has its own, stricter regulations in place. The regulations revoked the Fireworks Regulations 2003 which introduced, as emergency measures, prohibitions on the possession of fireworks by those under the age of 18 and the possession of category 4 fireworks by non-professionals. UK emergency regulations are usually temporary in nature - lasting no more than one year after the date of coming into force.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
(BIS) is responsible for fireworks policy.
- a ban on the use of fireworks late at night (after 11pm) - except for New Year’s Eve, the night of DiwaliDiwaliDiwali or DeepavaliThe name of the festival in various regional languages include:, , , , , , , , , , , , , popularly known as the "festival of lights," is a festival celebrated between mid-October and mid-December for different reasons...
and Chinese New YearChinese New YearChinese New Year – often called Chinese Lunar New Year although it actually is lunisolar – is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It is an all East and South-East-Asia celebration...
- where fireworks may be used until 1 am (on Guy FawkesGuy FawkesGuy Fawkes , also known as Guido Fawkes, the name he adopted while fighting for the Spanish in the Low Countries, belonged to a group of provincial English Catholics who planned the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605.Fawkes was born and educated in York...
Night fireworks may be used until 12 midnight); - a ban on the possession of category 4 fireworks by non-professionals;
- a ban on persons under the age of 18 possessing fireworks in public places;
- a ban on the sale of fireworks outside certain "traditional" or minority-cultural periods (such as those listed in the first bullet), unless suppliers are licensed; and,
- a requirement that importers of fireworks notify HM Revenue and Customs of the storage destination of their imports - the intention being to prevent illegal distribution and dangerous storage.
Some of these regulations are not applicable to Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, and none of them apply in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, which has its own, stricter regulations in place. The regulations revoked the Fireworks Regulations 2003 which introduced, as emergency measures, prohibitions on the possession of fireworks by those under the age of 18 and the possession of category 4 fireworks by non-professionals. UK emergency regulations are usually temporary in nature - lasting no more than one year after the date of coming into force.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is a ministerial department of the United Kingdom Government created on 5 June 2009 by the merger of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform .-Ministers:The BIS...
(BIS) is responsible for fireworks policy.