- Latest available (Revised)
- Point in Time (01/01/2013)
- Original (As adopted by EU)
Directive 2007/23/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 May 2007 on the placing on the market of pyrotechnic articles (Text with EEA relevance) (repealed)
When the UK left the EU, legislation.gov.uk published EU legislation that had been published by the EU up to IP completion day (31 December 2020 11.00 p.m.). On legislation.gov.uk, these items of legislation are kept up-to-date with any amendments made by the UK since then.
Legislation.gov.uk publishes the UK version. EUR-Lex publishes the EU version. The EU Exit Web Archive holds a snapshot of EUR-Lex’s version from IP completion day (31 December 2020 11.00 p.m.).
Version Superseded: 04/07/2013
EU Directives are published on this site to aid cross referencing from UK legislation. Since IP completion day (31 December 2020 11.00 p.m.) no amendments have been applied to this version.
Each pyrotechnic article must be tested under realistic conditions. If this is not possible in a laboratory, the tests must be carried out in the conditions in which the pyrotechnic article is to be used.
The following information and properties — where applicable — must be considered or tested:
Design, construction and characteristic properties, including detailed chemical composition (mass and percentage of substances used) and dimensions;
The physical and chemical stability of the pyrotechnic article in all normal, foreseeable environmental conditions;
Sensitivity to normal, foreseeable handling and transportation;
Compatibility of all components as regards their chemical stability;
Resistance of the pyrotechnic article to moisture where it is intended to be used in humid or wet conditions and where its safety or reliability may be adversely affected by moisture;
Resistance to low and high temperatures, where the pyrotechnic article is intended to be kept or used at such temperatures and its safety or reliability may be adversely affected by cooling or heating of a component or of the pyrotechnic article as a whole;
Safety features intended to prevent untimely or inadvertent initiation or ignition;
Suitable instructions and, where necessary, markings in respect of safe handling, storage, use (including safety distances) and disposal in the official language or languages of the recipient Member State;
The ability of the pyrotechnic article, its wrapping or other components to withstand deterioration under normal, foreseeable storage conditions;
Specification of all devices and accessories needed and operating instructions for safe functioning of the pyrotechnic article.
During transportation and normal handling, unless specified by the manufacturer's instructions, the pyrotechnic articles should contain the pyrotechnic composition.
commercial blasting agents, except for black powder or flash composition;
military explosives.
The manufacturer must assign fireworks to different categories according to Article 3 characterised by net explosive content, safety distances, noise level, or similar. The category must be clearly indicated on the label.
For category 1 fireworks, the following conditions must be met:
the safety distance must be at least 1 m. However, where appropriate the safety distance may be less,
the maximum noise level must not exceed 120 dB (A, imp), or an equivalent noise level as measured by another appropriate method, at the safety distance,
category 1 must not comprise bangers, banger batteries, flash bangers and flash banger batteries,
throwdowns in category 1 must not contain more than 2,5 mg silver fulminate.
For category 2 fireworks, the following conditions must be met:
the safety distance must be at least 8 m. However, where appropriate the safety distance may be less,
the maximum noise level must not exceed 120 dB (A, imp), or an equivalent noise level as measured by another appropriate method, at the safety distance.
For category 3 fireworks, the following conditions must be met:
the safety distance must be at least 15 m. However, where appropriate the safety distance may be less,
the maximum noise level must not exceed 120 dB (A, imp), or an equivalent noise level as measured by another appropriate method, at the safety distance.
Fireworks may only be constructed of materials which minimise risk to health, property and the environment from debris.
The method of ignition must be clearly visible or must be indicated by labelling or instructions.
Fireworks must not move in an erratic and unforeseeable manner.
Fireworks of category 1, 2 and 3 must be protected against inadvertent ignition either by a protective cover, by the packaging, or by the construction of the article. Fireworks of category 4 must be protected against inadvertent ignition by methods specified by the manufacturer.
Pyrotechnic articles must be designed in such a way as to minimise risk to health, property and the environment during normal use.
The method of ignition must be clearly visible or must be indicated by labelling or instructions.
The pyrotechnic article must be designed in such a way as to minimise risk to health, property and the environment from debris when initiated inadvertently.
Where appropriate, the pyrotechnic article must function properly until the ‘use by’ date specified by the manufacturer.
Ignition devices must be capable of being reliably initiated and be of sufficient initiation capability under all normal, foreseeable conditions of use.
Ignition devices must be protected against electrostatic discharge under normal, foreseeable conditions of storage and use.
Electric igniters must be protected against electromagnetic fields under normal, foreseeable conditions of storage and use.
The covering of fuses must be of adequate mechanical strength and adequately protect the explosive filling when exposed to normal, foreseeable mechanical stress.
The parameters for the burning times of fuses must be provided with the article.
The electrical characteristics (e.g. no-fire current, resistance, etc.) of electric igniters must be provided with the article.
The wires of electric igniters must be sufficiently insulated and must be of sufficient mechanical strength, including the solidity of the link to the igniter, taking account of their intended use.
The application must include:
the name and address of the manufacturer,
a written declaration that the same application has not been lodged with any other notified body,
the technical documents, as described in point 3.
The applicant must place at the disposal of the notified body a sample representative of the production envisaged, hereinafter called ‘type’. The notified body may request further samples if needed for carrying out the test programme.
a general type-description,
conceptual design and manufacturing drawings and diagrams of components, sub-assemblies, circuits, etc.,
descriptions and explanations necessary for the understanding of the drawings and diagrams and the operation of the article,
a list of the harmonised standards referred to in Article 8 of this Directive, applied in full or in part, and descriptions of the solutions adopted to meet the essential safety requirements of this Directive where the harmonised standards referred to in Article 8 of this Directive have not been applied,
results of design calculations made, examinations carried out, etc.,
test reports.
examine the technical documents, verify that the type has been manufactured in conformity with those documents and identify the elements which have been designed in accordance with the relevant provisions of the harmonised standards referred to in Article 8 of this Directive as well as the components which have been designed without applying the relevant provisions of those harmonised standards,
perform or have performed the appropriate examinations and necessary tests to check whether, where the harmonised standards referred to in Article 8 of this Directive have not been applied, the solutions adopted by the manufacturer meet the essential safety requirements of this Directive,
perform or have performed the appropriate examinations and necessary tests to check whether, where the manufacturer has chosen to apply the relevant harmonised standards, these have been applied,
agree with the applicant the location where the examinations and necessary tests are to be carried out.
A list of the relevant parts of the technical documents must be annexed to the certificate and a copy thereof kept by the notified body.
Where the manufacturer is refused a type certificate, the notified body must provide detailed reasons for such refusal.
Provision must be made for an appeals procedure.
Where the manufacturer is not established within the Community, the obligation to keep the technical documents available is the responsibility of the person who places the product on the market.
Where the manufacturer is not established within the Community, the obligation to keep the technical documents available is the responsibility of the person who places the product on the market.
Under the responsibility of the notified body the manufacturer must affix the identification number of that body during the manufacturing process.
The application must include:
all relevant information for the pyrotechnic article category envisaged,
the documents concerning the quality system,
the technical documents pertaining to the approved type and a copy of the EC type-examination certificate.
All the elements, requirements and provisions adopted by the manufacturer must be documented in a systematic and orderly manner in the form of written policies, procedures and instructions. The quality system documents must permit a consistent interpretation of the quality programmes, plans, manuals and quality records.
They must contain in particular an adequate description of:
the quality objectives and the organisational structure, responsibilities and powers of the management with regard to the quality of the pyrotechnic articles,
the manufacturing, quality control and quality assurance techniques, processes and systematic actions that will be used,
the examinations and tests that will be carried out before, during and after manufacture, and the frequency with which they will be carried out,
the quality records, such as inspection reports and test data, calibration data, and qualification reports of the personnel concerned,
the means of monitoring the achievement of the required quality of the pyrotechnic articles and the effective operation of the quality system.
A duly substantiated assessment decision must be notified to the manufacturer. It must contain the results of the examination.
The manufacturer must keep the notified body that has approved the quality system informed of any proposed change to the quality system.
The notified body must assess the changes proposed and decide whether the altered quality system will still satisfy the requirements referred to in point 3.2 or whether reassessment is required.
A duly substantiated assessment decision must be notified to the manufacturer. It must contain the results of the examination.
the quality system documents,
the quality records, such as inspection reports and test data, calibration data, and qualification reports of the personnel concerned.
the documents referred to in point 3.1.(b),
documents relating to the updating referred to in second subparagraph of point 3.4,
the decisions and reports of the notified body referred to in the fourth subparagraph of point 3.4, and in points 4.3 and 4.4.
The application must include:
all relevant information for the pyrotechnic category envisaged,
the quality system documents,
the technical documents pertaining to the approved type and a copy of the EC type-examination certificate.
All the elements, requirements and provisions adopted by the manufacturer must be documented in a systematic and orderly manner in the form of written policies, procedures and instructions. The quality system documents must permit a consistent interpretation of the quality programmes, plans, manuals and quality records.
They must in particular contain an adequate description of:
the quality objectives and the organisational structure, responsibilities and powers of the management with regard to product quality,
the examination and tests that will be carried out after manufacture,
the means of monitoring the effective operation of the quality system,
quality records, such as inspection reports and test data, calibration data, and qualification reports of the personnel concerned.
The auditing team must have at least one member with experience of assessing the relevant product technology. The assessment procedure must include an inspection visit to the manufacturer's premises.
A duly substantiated assessment decision must be notified to the manufacturer. It must contain the results of the examination.
The manufacturer must keep the notified body which has approved the quality system informed of any proposed change to the quality system.
The notified body must assess the changes proposed and decide whether the altered quality system will still satisfy the requirements referred to in point 3.2 or whether a reassessment is required.
A duly substantiated assessment decision must be notified to the manufacturer. It must contain the results of the examination.
the quality system documents,
the technical documents,
the quality records, such as inspection reports and test data, calibration data and qualification reports of the personnel concerned.
the documents referred to in point 3.1.(b),
documents relating to the updating referred to in the second subparagraph of point 3.4,
the decisions and reports of the notified body referred to in the fourth subparagraph of point 3.4, and in points 4.3 and 4.4.
The notified body must affix, or cause to be affixed, its identification number to the approved pyrotechnic article and draw up a certificate of conformity concerning the tests carried out.
Where necessary for the assessment, the documents must contain:
a general description of the type,
conceptual design and manufacturing drawings and schemes of components, sub-assemblies and circuits,
the descriptions and explanations necessary for the understanding of the conceptual design and manufacturing drawings, the schemes of components, sub-assemblies and circuits and the operation of the pyrotechnic article,
a list of the harmonised standards referred to in Article 8 of this Directive, applied in full or in part, and descriptions of the solutions adopted to meet the essential safety requirements of this Directive where the harmonised standards referred to in Article 8 of this Directive have not been applied,
results of design calculations made and examinations carried out,
test reports.
The application must include:
all relevant information for the pyrotechnic article category envisaged,
the documents concerning the quality system.
All the elements, requirements and provisions adopted by the manufacturer must be documented in a systematic and orderly manner in the form of written policies, procedures and instructions. The quality system documents must permit a consistent interpretation of the quality programmes, plans, manuals and quality records.
They must contain in particular an adequate description of:
the quality objectives and the organisational structure, responsibilities and powers of the management with regard to product design and quality,
technical construction specifications including the standards applicable and, if the standards referred to in Article 8 of this Directive have not been fully applied, the means of ensuring that the relevant basic requirements of this Directive have been met,
techniques to control and assess the development results, processes and systematic actions that will be used to develop products belonging to the product category in question,
the manufacturing, quality control and quality assurance techniques and the processes and systematic actions applied,
the examinations and tests that will be carried out before, during and after manufacture, and the frequency with which they will be carried out,
the quality records, such as inspection reports and test data, calibration data, and qualification reports of the personnel concerned,
the means of monitoring the achievement of the required design and quality of the product and the effective operation of the quality system.
The auditing team must have at least one member with experience of assessing the relevant product technology. The assessment procedure shall include an inspection visit to the manufacturer's premises.
A duly substantiated assessment decision must be notified to the manufacturer. It must contain the results of the examination.
The manufacturer must keep the notified body that has approved the quality system constantly informed of any proposed update of the quality system.
The notified body must assess the changes proposed and decide whether the altered quality system will still satisfy the requirements referred to in point 3.2 or whether reassessment is required.
A duly substantiated assessment decision must be notified to the manufacturer. It must contain the results of the examination.
the quality system documents,
the quality records required under the quality system for the development field such as the results of analyses, calculations and tests,
the quality records required under the quality system for the manufacturing field such as inspection reports and test data, calibration data, and qualification reports of the personnel concerned.
the documents referred to in point 3.1.(b),
documents relating to the updating referred to in second subparagraph of point 3.4,
the decisions and reports of the notified body referred to in the fourth subparagraph of point 3.4, and in points 4.3 and 4.4.
sound technical and professional training,
satisfactory knowledge of the requirements of the tests they carry out and adequate experience of such tests,
the ability to draw up the certificates, records and reports required to authenticate the performance of the tests.
The CE conformity marking must consist of the initials ‘CE’ taking the following form:
If the marking is reduced or enlarged the proportions given in the above graduated drawing must be respected.
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As adopted by EU): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was first adopted in the EU. No changes have been applied to the text.
Point in Time: This becomes available after navigating to view revised legislation as it stood at a certain point in time via Advanced Features > Show Timeline of Changes or via a point in time advanced search.
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
This timeline shows the different versions taken from EUR-Lex before exit day and during the implementation period as well as any subsequent versions created after the implementation period as a result of changes made by UK legislation.
The dates for the EU versions are taken from the document dates on EUR-Lex and may not always coincide with when the changes came into force for the document.
For any versions created after the implementation period as a result of changes made by UK legislation the date will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. For further information see our guide to revised legislation on Understanding Legislation.
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including: