Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill
Overview
This Bill would seek to restrict the supply and use of certain kinds of fireworks and pyrotechnic articles. An example of a pyrotechnic article would be a distress flare.
The Bill impacts businesses and individuals. It creates a new licensing system which means that:
- members of the public will need a licence to buy, possess or use certain fireworks,
- businesses supplying fireworks will need to confirm that the people getting the fireworks either have a licence or don’t need one.
It will be a criminal offence to buy, possess or use fireworks without licence, or to supply fireworks to a person without a licence. It will also be an offence to give fireworks or pyrotechnic articles to a child, or buy them on behalf of a child.
The Bill specifies that certain fireworks can only be supplied to, and used by, members of the public at certain times, including:
- Vaisakhi
- Guy Fawkes Day
- Hogmanay
- Chinese New Year
- Diwali
There are exemptions for organised public firework displays and professionally organised displays.
In addition, the Bill grants local authorities the powers to set-up ‘firework control zones’. Councils will be able to restrict the use of fireworks in these zones, although professionally organised or public displays may still be allowed.
The possession of pyrotechnic articles when travelling to or at certain places and events will become an offence under the Bill. This could include certain sports events, sports grounds or music events.
The new rules created by the Bill will be enforced by trading standards or Police Scotland.
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill as introduced
The Bill was passed on 29 June 2022 and became an Act on 10 August 2022
Contents
Introduced
The Scottish Government introduces the Bill and accompanying documents to the Parliament which publishes the Bill.
The Bill was introduced on 01 February 2022
Bill as introduced
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill as introduced (2MB, pdf) posted 01 February 2022
Financial resolution
The Presiding Officer has decided under Rule 9.12 of Standing Orders that a financial resolution is required for this Bill.
Related information form the Scottish Government on the bill
Explanatory Notes
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill explanatory notes (281KB, pdf) posted 01 February 2022
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill explanatory notes (print version) (399KB, pdf) posted 01 February 2022
Explanation of the Bill
Policy Memorandum
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill policy memorandum (407KB, pdf) posted 01 February 2022
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill policy memorandum (print version) (498KB, pdf) posted 01 February 2022
Why the Bill is being introduced
Financial Memorandum
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill financial memorandum (353KB, pdf) posted 01 February 2022
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill financial memorandum (print version) (404KB, pdf) posted 01 February 2022
How much the Bill is likely to cost
Delegated Powers Memorandum
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill delegated powers memorandum (207KB, pdf) posted 01 February 2022
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill delegated powers memorandum (print version) (274KB, pdf) posted 01 February 2022
Information on the powers the Bill gives the Scottish Ministers and others to make “secondary legislation” (usually regulations) and to the Scottish Ministers (such as to make guidance).
Statements on Legislative Competence
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill legislative competence (88KB, pdf) posted 01 February 2022
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill legislative competence (print version) (142KB, pdf) posted 01 February 2022
Statements on whether the Bill is within the Parliament’s “legislative competence” (if the Parliament has the power to make the changes to the law proposed by the Bill).
Scottish Parliament research on the Bill
Read the research done by the Scottish Parliament on specific parts of the Bill: