Pyrotechnic Articles Directive 2013/29/EU

Last reviewed: May 2026 · Legal status verified against EUR-Lex.

Directive 2013/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of pyrotechnic articles — the "Pyrotechnic Articles Directive" — replaced Directive 2007/23/EC and has applied since 1 July 2015. It covers fireworks, theatrical pyrotechnic articles, and other pyrotechnic articles (e.g., signalling flares, smoke generators), with category-specific essential requirements, age restrictions, and labelling. Published as OJ L 178, 28.6.2013, p. 27.

Legal status and timeline

• Adoption: 12 June 2013.
• Date of application: 1 July 2015.
• Repeal of Directive 2007/23/EC: 1 July 2015.
• Status in May 2026: applies.

Scope: products covered

Article 1 applies to "pyrotechnic articles" — articles containing explosive substances or an explosive mixture of substances designed to produce a heat, light, sound, gas or smoke effect or a combination of such effects through self-sustained exothermic chemical reactions (Article 3(1)).

Exclusions (Article 2(2))

• Pyrotechnic articles intended for non-commercial use, in accordance with national law, by the armed forces, the police, or fire departments;
• Equipment within the scope of Directive 96/98/EC (now 2014/90/EU);
• Pyrotechnic articles for use in the aerospace industry;
• Percussion caps specifically designed for toys (covered by Toy Safety Regulation);
• Explosives in the scope of Directive 2014/28/EU;
• Ammunition.

Categories (Article 6)

Pyrotechnic articles are classified into:

• Fireworks Category F1 — very low hazard and negligible noise level for use in confined areas, including indoor use;
• Fireworks Category F2 — low hazard and low noise level for outdoor use in confined areas;
• Fireworks Category F3 — medium hazard, outdoor use in large open areas, noise level not harmful to human health;
• Fireworks Category F4 — high hazard, for use by persons with specialist knowledge ("professional fireworks");
• Theatrical pyrotechnic Category T1 — for use on stage with low hazard, including indoor use;
• Theatrical pyrotechnic Category T2 — for use on stage by persons with specialist knowledge;
• Other pyrotechnic Category P1 — pyrotechnic articles other than fireworks and theatrical articles, low hazard;
• Other pyrotechnic Category P2 — for handling or use by persons with specialist knowledge.

Age limits (Article 7)

Article 7 sets minimum age limits for sale to consumers: F1 — 12 years; F2 — 16 years; F3 — 18 years; T1 and P1 — 18 years. F4, T2, and P2 are not available to the general public. Member States may raise these limits.

Essential safety requirements (Annex I)

Annex I sets the essential safety requirements: hazard assessment based on intended use; performance characteristics (including for fireworks: maximum noise level, drop test, drift test); composition restrictions including limits on lead-based compounds, mercury, arsenic, white phosphorus, and other regulated substances; reliability and stability; means of activation; environmental considerations regarding waste packaging.

Conformity assessment procedures

Article 17 and Annex II provide:

• Module B (EU type-examination) + Module C2 (random checks), D, or E;
• Module G (unit verification) for very small batches and one-off products;
• Module H (full quality assurance) for high-volume manufacturers.

Notified Body involvement is mandatory in all routes. The four-digit identification number appears next to the CE marking.

Registration number

Article 9 requires Member States to allocate a registration number to each pyrotechnic article that has undergone conformity assessment. The number takes the form: four-digit Notified Body number / category / unique consecutive number issued by the Notified Body. It must appear on the article in addition to the CE marking and other inscriptions.

Technical documentation

Annex II Module-specific provisions. Retention: 10 years (Article 8(7)). See technical documentation.

EU Declaration of Conformity

Article 18 and Annex III. See EU Declaration of Conformity.

Marking, labelling, instructions

Article 10 requires the CE marking, the Notified Body identification number, the registration number, and detailed labelling including: category; minimum safety distance; net explosive content; sufficient instructions for safe use; year of manufacture (for F3 and F4); batch identifier; minimum age (for consumer products); warning notices; storage conditions where applicable. Labelling must be in the official language(s) of the Member State of sale.

Harmonised standards

EN 15947 series — fireworks Category 2 and 3 (specification, test methods, labelling, methods of construction); EN 16261 series — fireworks Category 4 for professional use; EN 16263 series — other pyrotechnic articles; EN 16256 series — theatrical pyrotechnic articles. See harmonised standards.

Recent and upcoming changes

The Directive has not undergone structural amendment since 2013. Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2023/1437 updated the maximum lead content for pyrotechnic articles. Member State enforcement of import controls and online marketplace sales of unauthorised fireworks has intensified since 2022.

Related legislation

• Explosives for Civil Uses Directive 2014/28/EU — covers explosives outside the pyrotechnic scope.
• Directive 2008/68/EC on the inland transport of dangerous goods — applies in parallel for transport.
• Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH) — applies in parallel for the chemical substances used.
• Council Directive 91/477/EEC on weapons (and successors) — applies to ammunition.

Common errors

• Missing registration number. The number is mandatory in addition to the CE mark.
• Sale to under-age purchasers. Age limits are mandatory and enforced through licensing and identification checks at point of sale.
• Online marketplace sales without verified compliance. Cross-border distance sales of pyrotechnic articles have been subject to enforcement under both the Directive and the GPSR.
• Use of Category F4, T2, or P2 by non-specialists. These categories are restricted to persons with specialist knowledge as defined by national law.

Sources

• Directive 2013/29/EU (Pyrotechnic Articles) — EUR-Lex consolidated text.
• European Commission — Civil explosives and pyrotechnics sector page.
• Commission Notice — Blue Guide 2022 — EUR-Lex.