If your business wishes to store or
sell fireworks then they will have to be
registered. Redbridge Licensing Service can provide
information and advice on how to register.
The registration for the storage of fireworks
and explosives falls under the Manufacture
and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005.
Apply for a licence
A fireworks licence is valid for one year. Businesses that
already hold licences or registrations will automatically receive a
renewal application form by the end of August each year. A fee is charged for registration or
licensing.
Storing fireworks
Fireworks contain explosives and must be stored in a safe and
secure environment.
The law allows firework storage in either a licensed store or
registered premises.
Most small retailers find that the provisions for registered
premises are sufficient for the level of stock they keep.
An Explosives Registration is required to store fireworks up to
250kg and supply over the four permitted periods.
Additionally, under the Fireworks Regulations 2004 the
sale of fireworks outside certain periods of the year needs an
extra licence, also available from the council.
When can fireworks be sold?
With an explosives registration fireworks (except party
poppers, caps, sparklers, cracker snaps, novelty matches, serpents
or throw-downs) can only be sold:
- On the first day of the Chinese
New Year and the three days immediately preceding it
- On the day of Diwali
and the three days immediately preceding it
- During the period beginning on
15 October and ending on 10 November
- During the period beginning on
26 December and ending on 31 December.
To sell fireworks outside these dates, in addition to a
registration, you will need to apply for a licence under
the Fireworks Act 2003 and the Fireworks Regulations 2004.
If you intend to sell fireworks, other than during these periods
you will require a licence under the Firework Regulations 2004. The
quantities in the Regulations refer to Net Explosive Quantity (NEQ)
- the quantity of explosive contained within the fireworks - and
not to gross weight.
There are restrictions on the types of
fireworks and the amount of fireworks that can be stored and
the Council recommends using the guides prepared by the Explosives
Industry Group of the CBI.
Anyone wishing to store up to 2000kg of explosives will need to
obtain a licence from the Health
& Safety Executive.
If you store or sell fireworks and you fail to register with the
local authority, you can prosecuted and fined up to £5,000 and the
forfeiture of the explosives.
If you store less than 5kg of explosives, then
there is no need to register or be licensed.
Keep On The Right Side Of The Law
Fireworks supplied in the UK 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.
Can I sell individual fireworks ?
Restrictions apply - only sparklers and some larger individual
devices can be sold unpacked. All others must be kept and
sold in the manufacturers' packed sets.
Is there a limit on the amount of fireworks that I can
store?
Yes, there are restrictions and the Council recommends using the
guides prepared by the Explosives Industry Group of the CBI.
What is the "Net Explosive Quantity" (NEQ)?
It is the amount of explosive in an article not including any
packaging and casings. Sometimes the net mass of explosive.
The type of explosive is categorised by hazard type, ranging
from hazard type 1 to hazard type 4 (hazard type 1 being the most
powerful). Adult fireworks will usually be classed as hazard type 4
explosives. Normally, explosives packaging will be marked with the
type and net mass of explosive.
For fireworks, unless marked on the packaging, the net mass is
assumed to be one quarter (25%) of their total weight.
