EU directive for pyrotechnics correctly applied

What is the Pyrotechnic Articles Directive?

The original Pyrotechnical Articles Directive 2007/23/EC was replaced in June 2013 by Directive 2013/29/EU on the harmonisation of Member States' legislation on the placing of pyrotechnical articles on the market.

This Directive applies to all pyrotechnic articles placed on the EU market.

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What is the aim of the Pyrotechnics Directive?

The Directive lays down rules ensuring a high level of protection for human health, the environment and public safety. These safety requirements ensure the free movement of pyrotechnic articles in the internal market.

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What is a pyrotechnic object?

A pyrotechnic article is any article containing explosive substances or mixtures of substances with which heat is generated due to independent chemical reactions occurring under the release of heat Light, sound, gas or smoke or a combination of these effects shall be produced.

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What types of pyrotechnic objects are there?

Fireworks: Pyrotechnic objects for entertainment purposes.
Pyrotechnic articles for stages and theatres: Pyrotechnic articles for use on indoor and outdoor stages, including for film and television production or similar use.
Pyrotechnic articles for vehicles: components of safety devices in vehicles containing pyrotechnic substances used to activate these or other devices.

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Which pyrotechnic articles are not covered by Directive 2013/29/EU?

Pyrotechnic articles intended for non-commercial use by the armed forces, the police or the fire brigade in accordance with national law
Equipment within the meaning of Directive 96/98/EC
Pyrotechnic articles for use in the aerospace industry
Ignition plates specifically designed for toys as defined in Directive 2009/48/EC
Explosives within the meaning of Directive 93/15/EEC
Ammunition

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What categories are provided for in the Pyrotechnics Directive?

Pyrotechnic articles shall be categorised by the manufacturer according to their type of use or purpose and the degree of hazard, including their noise level.

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Categorisation for fireworks:

Category F1: Fireworks that present a very low risk, have a negligible noise level and are intended to be used in closed areas, including fireworks intended for use within residential buildings.
Category F2: Fireworks that present a low risk, have a low noise level and are intended for use in demarcated outdoor areas.
Category F3: fireworks representing a medium hazard intended for use in wide open areas outdoors and whose noise levels do not endanger human health.
Category F4: Fireworks which pose a major hazard intended for use only by persons with specialist knowledge (so-called "professional fireworks") and whose noise levels do not endanger human health.

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Categorisation for theatrical pyrotechnic objects:

Category T1: Pyrotechnic articles for use on stages that pose a low risk.
Category T2: Pyrotechnic articles intended for use on stages intended for use only by persons with specialist knowledge.

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Categorisation for other pyrotechnic articles:

Category P1: Pyrotechnic objects other than fireworks and pyrotechnic objects for stage and theatre, which pose a low risk.
Category P2: Pyrotechnic articles other than fireworks and pyrotechnic articles for stage and theatre intended for handling or use only by persons with specialist knowledge.

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What are the age limits for the use of pyrotechnics?

Category F1: 12 years
Category F2: 16 years
Category F3: 18 years
Category F4: Only persons with expertise
Category T1: 18 years
Category T2: Only persons with expertise
Category P1: 18 years
Category P2: Only persons with expertise

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What is the conformity assessment procedure under the Pyrotechnics Directive?

To assess the conformity of pyrotechnic articles, the manufacturer must use one of the following procedures:

EU type-examination and, at the choice of the manufacturer, one of the following procedures:
- Conformity of the design based on an internal production control with monitored product tests at irregular intervals
- Conformity of design based on quality assurance of the production process
- Conformity of design based on product quality assurance
Conformity based on an individual test
Compliance based on comprehensive quality assurance for category F4 fireworks

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What are the main steps to obtain the CE marking?

Contact the notified body of your choice and submit your application with the necessary technical documentation to assess the essential safety requirements.
The notified body shall carry out appropriate tests for the representative samples that you provide as part of the EC type-examination.
The notified body will issue you with an EC type-examination certificate if the provisions of the Directive are met.
The notified body either checks your goods randomly or evaluates your quality assurance system. This confirms the conformity of your products manufactured according to the certified model.
You apply the CE mark on your certified products and issue the corresponding declaration of conformity with the directive.

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What are the basic security requirements (ESR)?

All essential safety requirements can be found in Annex I to Directive 2013/29/EU, and some of the most important are:

Each pyrotechnic article produced must comply with the performance characteristics you have communicated to the notified body in order to ensure maximum safety and reliability.
Each pyrotechnic object must be designed and manufactured in such a way that it can be safely disposed of by a suitable process with minimal environmental impact.
Each pyrotechnic object must function correctly when used as intended.
Pyrotechnic articles shall not contain detonating explosives other than black powder or flash sets, except pyrotechnic articles of categories P1, P2, T2 and fireworks of category F4.

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