Fireworks: Sale and storage advice

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The law states that you must store and display your fireworks safely. In order to store fireworks, you must register your premises with us.

You need to register to sell fireworks during the following dates:

• on the first day of Chinese New Year and the three days immediately before it,
• on the day of Diwali and the three days immediately before it,
• between 15 October and 10 November, and
• between 26 December and 31 December.

Retailers wishing to sell fireworks outside these dates must obtain a further licence from us. This will be in addition to the storage licence.

How to apply

• Applications will be processed within 21 working days.
• To find out our current fee, please visit of Fees and Charges page.
• Please submit any changes of circumstances to Trading Standards using the contact details at the bottom of this page.

Fireworks seasonal licence application form (pdf - 875kb)

Fireworks all-year round licence application form (pdf - 647kb)

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Checklist

• Persons under the age of 18 must not be supplied with fireworks - even if they appear to be older (it is recommended that proof of age is sought).
• A large notice reminding customers about the law regarding underage sales and possession of fireworks must be displayed in your premises. You can obtain a copy of this notice, along with other useful information, from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) website.
• All products must comply with British Safety Standards (BS7114: Part 2: 1988) (as Amended) Regulations and the 2003 and 2004 Fireworks (as Amended) Regulations before being sold to the public.
• All fireworks not intended for supply to the general public (category 4) must indicate this by way of a mark.
• You must record the name and address of anyone who buys a quantity of fireworks containing more than 50kg net explosive content (200kg Gross weight).
• You must not sell caps, cracker snaps, novelty matches, party poppers, serpents and throwdowns to anyone under 16 years of age.
• Boxes of fireworks must not be split and sold separately.
• Sparklers are fireworks and should be stored and sold as above.

Retailers who do not comply with these rules could be fined £5,000 or imprisoned for six months.

For more information about storing and selling fireworks safely, visit the Health and Safety Executive Website.

Contact information

• email: ts.es@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• phone: 0141 840 3184 (select option 2)
• call in or write to us at:
  Renfrewshire Council
  Environmental Services
  Trading Standards
  Renfrewshire House
  Cotton Street
  Paisley
  PA1 1BR