What legislation is there to control the use of fireworks?
The Fireworks Regulations 2004 have been made under the Fireworks Act 2003 and the Consumer Protection Act 1987. This new legislation enables the Government to regulate the use of fireworks in order to reduce noise, nuisance and anti-social use of fireworks. The new controls introduce: a ban on very loud fireworks of over 120 decibels, a ban on the use of fireworks during anti-social hours (except on certain night of the year), a ban on selling fireworks to people under 18 years old (except for party poppers, cracker snaps, paper caps, serpents, sparklers, throw-downs or novelty matches), a ban on people over 18 years of age possessing ”adult fireworks” in a public place, a licence requirement on those selling fireworks which may be refused or revoked if retailers act inappropriately, a compulsory training course for people operating public fireworks displays, labelling requirements for fireworks.
