This year, the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) discovered in its product safety investigation of F1 fireworks (novelty and joke fireworks) two types of fountains that exploded. Due to the high risk, especially for children, the ILT ordered importers to remove this fireworks from the market and have it destroyed. This was also done with other rejected fireworks items.
The ILT mainly tests the riskiest F1 fireworks; this year, a total of 40 different fountains, crackling pellets, and flash tablets were tested. Of these, 37.5% were rejected.
Rejected to prevent injury
Another important reason for rejecting F1 fireworks is that the effects are ejected 1 to 1.5 meters high. As a result, with a light wind (wind speed of 2 to 2.5 meters per second), many burning parts and/or effects (such as crackling) end up outside the safety distance of 1 meter. There is a high risk that these parts will land on the clothing or skin of spectators or the person lighting the fireworks.
In addition, several fireworks items stopped during ignition. This is dangerous because there is a chance that someone will approach the fireworks to see why it did not go off. This puts the person at risk of injury because the fireworks item may still ignite.
According to figures from VeiligheidNL, during the last New Years Eve, mainly children aged 0-11 years (45 percent) and 12-15 years (23 percent) suffered injuries from F1 fireworks.
Deviating quality, no direct risks
Of the tested fireworks items, 17.5 percent were of deviating quality. This usually concerns minor issues such as unclear texts on the packaging or missing labels, for example the indication suitable for private use or the safety distance of 1 meter. This is not a reason to remove the fireworks from the market. The ILT has ordered importers to correct the deviations as soon as possible.
Industry responsible for safe F1 fireworks
F1 fireworks may be sold all year round and are often purchased by young people. To use the fireworks safely, they must meet certain requirements and rules. For example, no burning parts or sparks may come outside a circle of 1 meter, and most F1 fireworks may contain a maximum of 7.5 grams of gunpowder. It is the responsibility of the fireworks industry (producers, distributors, and importers) to ensure that fireworks comply with the rules. If the ILT sees that a market party does not take its responsibility, the inspectorate takes administrative action.
ILT supervision
The ILT wants to improve safety for consumers and prevent dangerous fireworks from entering the market. Therefore, the inspectorate checks whether the laws and regulations for fireworks are complied with, based on the European Pyro Directive, the Consumer Fireworks Designation Regulation, and the Fireworks Decree. ILT supervision relates to regular, legal (consumer) fireworks. Enforcement against prohibited and/or illegal fireworks is the task of municipal enforcement officers and the police.
The ILT conducts inspections throughout the year, focusing on fireworks that pose the greatest risk to people and the environment. These inspections are carried out at importers, postal companies, at the border, in ports, along roads, and at points of sale. The ILT often works together with customs and police.
