On Sunday 20 June 2021 a public consultation seeking views from the public and stakeholders on the introduction of four specific requirements in relation to the sale and use of fireworks in Scotland, as well as a new offence in relation to carrying a pyrotechnic device in a public place without reasonable excuse or lawful authority.

Specifically, the consultation is seeking views on:

Requiring the general public and community groups to meet a number of mandatory conditions before they are able to purchase fireworks.

Restricting the days fireworks can be sold to, and set off by, the general public.

Introducing no-fireworks areas where it is not permitted for the general public to set fireworks off.

Introducing a proxy purchasing offence to criminalise the supply of fireworks to people under the age of 18.

The consultation also considers the use of pyrotechnic devices and specifically whether it should be an offence to carry a pyrotechnic device in a public place without reasonable excuse or lawful authority, and whether police powers should be extended to allow a stop and search provision for anyone reasonably suspected of committing the offence.

The consultation can be found on the following link: https://consult.gov.scot/justice/use-and-sale-of-fireworks-in-scotland.  We would be very grateful if you could circulate this to anyone that may have an interest and would like to respond.

The consultation will run for 8 weeks, and will close on Sunday 15 August.

PKC will be running a series of online engagement events while the consultation is live – these are available now to sign up at the bottom the linked paged, and further events will be added over the course of the next few weeks.

The Fireworks (Scotland) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2021

In February 2021, the Minister for Community Safety laid The Fireworks (Scotland) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2021 in the Scottish Parliament.  The regulations include three new measures in relation to the way the general public can use and access fireworks and come into force on 30 June. The regulations:

Restrict the times of day fireworks can be used by the general public to between 6pm and 11pm (subject to exempt dates),

Restrict the times of day fireworks can be supplied to the general public to during the daytime hours of 7am and 6pm, alongside existing requirements on retailers around sale and storage licences;

Limit the quantity of fireworks that can be supplied to the general public to 5kg.

The regulations include a number of exemptions for organisers of public organised firework displays, including community groups arranging a public firework display in their local area.  Easy to read guidance on the impact the measures have how the fireworks can be supplied to and used by the general public is available below.

The Fireworks (Scotland) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2021: information for retailers – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

The Fireworks (Scotland) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2021: information on the use of fireworks – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

If you would like any further information or have any questions, please get in touch with fireworks@gov.scot.

Closing Date: Sunday 15 August.