Proposed EU directive could raise fireworks costs

A proposed EU directive could lead to a hefty rise in the cost of fireworks, an integral feature of traditional village feasts in Malta.

Sources told The Times both the government and the Maltese MEPs are trying to amend the proposal.

Known as the directive on the placing on the market of pyrotechnic articles, the proposal is intended to replace some 25 parallel national approval procedures of fireworks by a single directive.

The aim is to ensure that safety requirements for pyrotechnic articles are respected throughout the EU with the aim of cutting down on the risk of accidents caused by malfunction. This will also enhance consumer safety as sub-standard pyrotechnic articles will no longer be available within the EU.

The government and Malta's MEPs are arguing that fireworks manufactured on a non-commercial basis for use in Maltese village feasts should be exempted from the directive and should remain regulated by Maltese law.

Over the past weeks consultation meetings were held with the Maltese pyrotechnic association.

Speaking during the meeting of the Committee for Industry, Research and Energy of the European Parliament, Labour MEP John Attard Montalto said that while he agreed with the general aim of the directive, there needs to be an exception for manufacturers who do not produce fireworks on a commercial basis, as is the case in Malta.

"These fireworks (for Maltese village feasts) are manufactured on a professional basis but by people working voluntarily... I don't think these fireworks should also be part of this directive." Dr Attard Montalto told The Times that during the discussion there seemed to be a consensus that the new directive should not apply in the case of fireworks used for traditional celebrations.

However, he added that the discussion is still at an early stage.