Directive 2013/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

5. The various groups of pyrotechnic articles must at least also comply with the following requirements:

A. Fireworks

1. The manufacturer must assign fireworks to different categories according to Article 6 characterised by net explosive content, safety distances, noise level, or similar. The category must be clearly indicated on the label.

(a)

For category F1 fireworks, the following conditions must be met:

(i)

the safety distance must be at least 1 m. However, where appropriate the safety distance may be less,

(ii)

the maximum noise level must not exceed 120 dB (A, imp), or an equivalent noise level as measured by another appropriate method, at the safety distance,

(iii)

category F1 must not comprise bangers, banger batteries, flash bangers and flash banger batteries,

(iv)

throwdowns in category F1 must not contain more than 2,5 mg silver fulminate.

(b)

For category F2 fireworks, the following conditions must be met:

(i)

the safety distance must be at least 8 m. However, where appropriate the safety distance may be less,

(ii)

the maximum noise level must not exceed 120 dB (A, imp), or an equivalent noise level as measured by another appropriate method, at the safety distance.

(c)

For category F3 fireworks, the following conditions must be met:

(i)

the safety distance must be at least 15 m. However, where appropriate the safety distance may be less,

(ii)

the maximum noise level must not exceed 120 dB (A, imp), or an equivalent noise level as measured by another appropriate method, at the safety distance.

2. Fireworks may only be constructed of materials which minimise risk to health, property and the environment from debris.

3. The method of ignition must be clearly visible or must be indicated by labelling or instructions.

4. Fireworks must not move in an erratic and unforeseeable manner.

5. Fireworks of categories F1, F2 and F3 must be protected against inadvertent ignition either by a protective cover, by the packaging, or by the construction of the pyrotechnic article. Fireworks of category F4 must be protected against inadvertent ignition by methods specified by the manufacturer.

B. Other pyrotechnic articles

1. Pyrotechnic articles must be designed in such a way as to minimise risk to health, property and the environment during normal use.

2. The method of ignition must be clearly visible or must be indicated by labelling or instructions.

3. The pyrotechnic article must be designed in such a way as to minimise risk to health, property and the environment from debris when initiated inadvertently.

4. Where appropriate, the pyrotechnic article must function properly until the ‘use by’ date specified by the manufacturer.

C. Ignition devices

1. Ignition devices must be capable of being reliably initiated and be of sufficient initiation capability under all normal, foreseeable conditions of use.

2. Ignition devices must be protected against electrostatic discharge under normal, foreseeable conditions of storage and use.

3. Electric igniters must be protected against electromagnetic fields under normal, foreseeable conditions of storage and use.

4. The covering of fuses must be of adequate mechanical strength and adequately protect the explosive filling when exposed to normal, foreseeable mechanical stress.

5. The parameters for the burning times of fuses must be provided with the pyrotechnic article.

6. The electrical characteristics (e.g. no-fire current, resistance, etc.) of electric igniters must be provided with the pyrotechnic article.

7. The wires of electric igniters must be sufficiently insulated and must be of sufficient mechanical strength, including the solidity of the link to the igniter, taking account of their intended use.