The British Fireworks Association (BFA) is setting out its position regarding the UK Government’s ongoing fireworks consultation, advocating for stronger enforcement of existing laws rather than sweeping product restrictions. Representing the legal consumer fireworks industry, the BFA remains fully committed to championing the safe, considerate and responsible use of fireworks across all UK communities.
Putting Noise Proposals into Context
The Government consultation considers reducing the maximum permitted noise level for consumer fireworks from the current 120 dB limit down to 110 dB, 100 dB, or even 90 dB. While the BFA recognises genuine public concerns regarding disturbance and animal welfare, these decibel proposals require careful technical context:
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Logarithmic Impact: The decibel scale is logarithmic, meaning a 10 dB reduction cuts perceived loudness by half and removes 90 per cent of acoustic energy. Dropping the limit to 90 dB would make traditional aerial fireworks technically unfeasible, effectively wiping out up to 90 per cent of existing legal consumer products.
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Misuse vs Legal Products: The loudest disturbances affecting communities rarely stem from legal, 120 dB regulated consumer products. They are primarily caused by illegal, non-compliant items or professional-grade fireworks used illegally. Reducing legal limits will not prevent illegal noise at illegal times of the night.
Key Industry Priorities
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Enforcement Over Extra Rules: Setting off fireworks in public spaces or after 11 pm is already illegal (except for specified dates in the year). Police and Trading Standards require dedicated resources to tackle illegal use, the illicit online sales and unregulated sellers rather than penalising law-abiding consumers.
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Supply Chain Timelines: Fireworks operate on multi-year manufacturing cycles, taking up to a year from production to UK supply and remaining in supply chains for three years or more. Abrupt regulatory changes risk leaving legitimate businesses with vast quantities of unmarketable stock, creating severe financial losses and disposal issues.
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Avoiding Unintended Safety Risks: Restricting legal products will not reduce consumer demand; it risks driving buyers toward dangerous, untested black-market alternatives or encouraging inexperienced operators to bypass safety rules.
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Regulatory Alignment: Diverging the UK’s standards from established European rules, adds manufacturing complexity, increases consumer costs, and creates trade barriers.
The BFA looks forward to engaging constructively with government bodies, enforcement agencies, and community groups to preserve Britain’s cherished cultural traditions while ensuring the safe, considerate and responsible use of fireworks for everyone.