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New Year's Eve fireworks 2007 - New directive for a uniform European quality and safety level for fireworks

20.12.2007

The BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing has tested 219 new fireworks for safety this year. Amendments to 27 already approved fireworks were also tested. 134 fireworks were approved, 85 were rejected and one approval was withdrawn. Thus about 39 % were refused.

The trend toward combined fireworks (batteries and combinations) continues incessantly. The pyrotechnic effects have continued to improve significantly regarding colours and variations.

In comparison to the previous year the refusals decreased by 4 %. This positive improvement is due to the increasing influence of the importers on production control in China.

Fireworks without BAM approval or with falsified approval markings may be very risky. Their handling safety and quality level cannot be judged. Fireworks are not toys because they contain explosive substances and can give rise to dangerous effects.

An approval marking may for example read: BAM - P II - 2526

The new European Directive 2007/23/EG on placing on the market of pyrotechnical articles, including of course New Year's Eve fireworks, has come into force since this year.

The directive is supposed to reduce trade barriers and, in addition, harmonize the quality and safety of pyrotechnical articles in Europe. In the future only one "approval" will be necessary for Europe. The European Union member states have 30 months in which to implement this directive into national legislation. Naturally, this also applies to Germany where the implementation is being performed by the 4th Explosive Amendment Act. BAM seeks a fast implementation in order to quickly establish a uniform test procedure.

The Directive 2007/23/EG stipulates a modular conformity assessment procedure for pyrotechnical articles. A conformity assessment procedure proves that a rocket bought in the shop conforms to its certified prototype. The conformity assessment procedure basically consists of two parts. The first part is the type test according to module B. This corresponds to the current certification processes by BAM whereby BAM is one of the few institutes (notified body) in Europe which already carry out tests according to the European standards today.

The second part of the conformity assessment procedure guarantees constant product quality. For this purpose contracts are signed with the manufacturers to check their quality assurance system according to modules C, D or E.

Enquiries about currently offered goods and the exact production figures can be made at

Verband der Pyrotechnischen Industrie
(Association of the Pyrotechnical Industry)
An der Pönt 48
40885 Ratingen
Phone: +49-2102-18 62 00

Information:
Lutz Kurth
Working Group Pyrotechnics
Division II.3 Explosives
Phone: +49 30 8104-1234