7 August 2004 - New Fireworks Laws Come into Effect for England and Wales
New fireworks laws are now in effect from Saturday 7th August, aimed at providing stricter controls for retailers selling fireworks and to reduce the amount of youths using fireworks in a dangerous manor and cracking down on anti-social behaviour.
Key points of the new laws include:
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it is now illegal to discharge fireworks between 11pm and 7am
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it is now illegal for retailers to sell fireworks that are louder than 120db
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suppliers who sell fireworks all year round will need to apply for a licence from their local authority in future
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other suppliers, such as newsagents, are limited in the periods when they can sell fireworks
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it is now an offence for under 18s to possess fireworks in a public place and for anyone other than a fireworks professional to possess category 4 fireworks
On 5 November, the curfew will begin at midnight with a later curfew for some occasions during the year when fireworks are normally used for traditional or cultural events like Diwali Night, the Chinese New Year and New Year's Eve, when it will not start until 1am.
The changes also include a new licensing system for those supplying fireworks all year round, whether retail or wholesale, and improved controls on the import of fireworks, which come into force on January 1st 2005.
The legislative change makes permanent the emergency Fireworks Regulations 2003.
