Amendments to the Explosives Ordinance Act aimed at increasing safety measures in fireworks activities were announced today by the Home Affairs Ministry.

“The aim of the regulations is to enhance security without removing the viability and sustainability of the fireworks sector, which also has its importance culturally and is an important contributor to the tourism sector,” the ministry said.

There are three main amendments in the new legislation, including the prohibition of certain chemical mixtures that increase the possibility of accidents and even fatalities.

The legislation also refers to the introduction of a stipulated amount of €300,000 that has to be covered by the insurance policy covering the activities of each fireworks factory – the policy has to cover third parties as well as personal damage.

The third main amendment is that product suppliers must submit written declarations on the purity of the primary material used in the manufacture of fireworks.

Fireworks enthusiasts will also no longer need to attend refresher courses every two years as this has been extended to five years.

The changes are based on recommendations by chemistry expert Alfred Vella, according to the ministry’s policy developer Joseph St John.

He said consultations were also held with the pyrotechnics lobby, and with Parliamentary Secretary for Planning Michael Falzon, who was the lobby’s lawyer until recently.