Organisations and individuals must comply with national and European Union (EU) rules on the supply, use and transport of fireworks, as well as the export, import and production of fireworks. In the Netherlands, the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) oversees this.
The ILT checks whether organisations and individuals in the Netherlands comply with the laws and regulations for firecrackers, decorative fireworks and other pyrotechnic articles, such as airbags in cars and emergency signalling devices. Inspections take place at the border, in ports and storage facilities, along the road and at points of sale in the Netherlands.
If you are a pyrotechnician or have a pyrotechnic organisation, the ILT may check:
If you comply with the conditions of the discharge permit.
If you have an ignition permit from the Province, Municipality or omgevingsdienst (environmental service) allowing you to set off the fireworks.
If your organisation packages fireworks, the ILT may check:
If the fireworks are packaged in accordance with the applicable packaging instructions and the packaging complies with the ADR regulations (characteristics and labelling).
If the inner packaging encloses the entire fireworks item, preventing the explosive substance from spreading into the outer packaging.
If the packaging complies with the general and specific packaging requirements.
If your organisation manufactures consumer fireworks, theatrical fireworks, professional fireworks or other pyrotechnic articles and places these articles on the market in the Netherlands, the ILT may check:
If the fireworks meet all legal quality requirements as laid out in the laws and regulations. This includes requirements for the type and quantity of gunpowder, the stability of the fireworks, the noise level and the ignition delay.
If the correct category is stated on the fireworks item.
If the fireworks item has CE marking and the accompanying documentation.
If the consumer fireworks are safe to use, the noise production remains within the standards and if there are there any dangerous unexploded devices (duds).
If the labels on the fireworks are correct.
If your organisation sells fireworks to organisations, pyrotechnicians or private individuals, the ILT may check:
If the fireworks meet all legal quality requirements as laid out in the laws and regulations. This includes requirements for the type and quantity of gunpowder, the stability of the fireworks, the noise level and the ignition delay.
If you only sell professional fireworks to holders of a valid pyro pass (in Dutch). The pyro pass allows buyers of professional fireworks, pyrotechnic articles for theatrical use or P2 articles within the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg to demonstrate that they have the correct permits.
If your organisation imports fireworks into the Netherlands, distributes imported fireworks throughout the Netherlands, or exports fireworks from the Netherlands – for example, by sea or by road – the ILT may check:
If you have permission to transport the fireworks from the competent authorities of each Member State of the EU through which you are transporting the fireworks.
If you have notified the ILT 48 hours in advance that you are importing or exporting fireworks to or from the Netherlands. Or, if the import or export takes place in the last 14 days of the year, if you have notified the ILT 24 hours in advance. Read more about notifying the ILT of the import, export, provision or storage of fireworks.
If you have the required import documentation.
If the fireworks meet all legal quality requirements. This includes requirements for the type and quantity of gunpowder, the stability of the item, the noise level and the ignition delay.
If the correct category is stated on the fireworks item.
If the fireworks item has CE marking and the accompanying documentation.
If the consumer fireworks are safe to use, the noise production remains within the standards and if there are there any dangerous unexploded devices (duds).
If the labels on the fireworks are correct.
You transport or distribute fireworks within the Netherlands.
The ILT checks the following, for example:
If the fireworks are packaged correctly. For example, if they have the correct UN numbers, UN characteristics and hazard labels.
If you have the correct documentation, training and equipment.
If you have the correct fire extinguisher on board for the fireworks being transported.
If you have secured the fireworks with the correct equipment so that they cannot move during transportation.
If the fireworks you are transporting are legal in the Netherlands.
Types of fireworks checked by the ILT
The ILT checks fireworks from all categories of the European Pyrotechnics Directive:
Category F1: fireworks with very low risk that can also be used at home.
Category F2: fireworks with low risk that are suitable for private use.
Category F3: fireworks with moderate risk that are usually intended for professional use only.
Category F4: fireworks that can pose a high risk and are intended for professional use only. Private individuals are not allowed to order, purchase, possess or use these fireworks.
Purpose of fireworks oversight
The ILT's supervision of fireworks is intended to ensure:
Improved product safety and quality of fireworks products.
Safer transport of fireworks.
Better protection of consumers and the environment.
If the ILT encounters unsafe fireworks during inspections or spot checks, it will reject the products and they will be removed from the market, destroyed or modified.
Cooperation in oversight
The ILT cooperates with other government organisations in the Netherlands in the oversight of fireworks. The ILT, Douane (Customs Administration of the Netherlands) and the Netherlands police work together to prevent illegal fireworks from entering the Netherlands. The ILT also cooperates with municipalities, provinces and environmental services. Together, they ensure that companies only set off or store fireworks at licensed locations.
Laws and regulations
The rules for the production, trade and use of fireworks can be found in:
