West Sussex County Council: Selling and Storing Fireworks

The Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations came into force on 26th April 2005 and they largely replace the 1875 Explosives Act. The other important legislation is The Fireworks Regulations 2004. Copies of the legislation may be found on the Office of Public Sector Information web site

If you store fireworks you require a license or registration from the Trading Standards service. This license or registration depends on the quantity of fireworks you store and on the dates that you intend to sell them. The license or registration is now granted to a person or a company at the premises.

The quantities refer to Net Explosive Quantity (NEQ) – the quantity of explosive contained within the fireworks – and not to gross weight. If the NEQ weights are not available, then they are taken as being 25% of the gross weight of the fireworks

If you are planning to sell fireworks outside these dates:

• 15th October to 10th November
• 26th December to 31st December
• On the 1st day of the Chinese New Year and the 3 days immediately preceding it
• On the day of Diwali and the 3 days immediately preceding it

You may also need a £500 license under the Fireworks Regulations 2004