Retailers who sell fireworks must now keep a record of where they sourced them from for 10 years, and change their statutory firework notices.

The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 came into force today (17 August 2015) as part of a new EU directive.

They place a new duty on all “economic operators” to keep records of firework transactions throughout the supply chain. This includes retailers who sell fireworks on to other retailers.

The instrument is intended to improve the safety of pyrotechnics by making fireworks easier to trace and by providing a more structured market surveillance regime.

As part of the new regulations, retailers will also have to change their statutory firework notices. These notices must be clearly displayed by all retailers of fireworks and now feature the following text:

·     It is illegal to sell category F2 fireworks or category F3 fireworks to anyone under the age of 18.

·     It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to possess category F2 fireworks or category F3 fireworks in a public place.

Under Age Sales has created legally compliant posters which are available at www.underagesales.co.uk/EFIRESTAT.html