EU sets safety standards for pyrotechnic products

A new directive which harmonises and regulates the requirements for the sale of pyrotechnics on the European market has just been published by the EU.

The directive will supplement and modify certain regulations already in place in Malta but will not affect the provisions under the Explosives Ordinance and its subsidiary legislations.

The directive (2007/23/EC), the first provision of which will be applied on July 4, 2010, introduces minimum safety standards for pyrotechnic products. The CE-marking system will be adopted to achieve this result.

A categorisation system will also be introduced and classification will be based on levels of noise and hazard. Certain requirements will be applied according to the category of the product.

However, there are certain requirements that will apply to all pyrotechnic articles, such as the CE-marking and the obligation that pyrotechnic articles have been tested by accredited third-party entities (notified bodies) during the manufacturing stage when those products are intended to be placed on the market.

Provisions will affect manufacturers, importers, distributors and users.

Anyone wishing to obtain more information or take part in the consultations may contact the Regulatory Affairs Directorate of the Malta Standards Authority on 2124 2420 or by e-mail at david.pulis@msa.org.mt or tristan.camilleri@msa.org.mt.