- The Civil Guard, responsible for the control of weapons and explosives, has carried out 147 inspections of premises located in different Basque municipalities
- 25 complaints have been filed for storing and selling fireworks without corresponding authorizations
As part of their competence, the Basque Government has carried out 147 inspections in order to verify compliance with current legislation on the possession and sale of pyrotechnic material in shops located in different Basque localities during the Christmas season.
The Civil Guard regularly conducts inspections in establishments that sell pyrotechnic products in retail. These controls are intensified during the Christmas season, as they are dates in which the consumption of them increases exponentially, in order to guarantee users that the items purchased comply with the regulatory regulations and do not pose a danger to their physical integrity and that of the rest of the population.
During these inspections, the agents have intervened more than 170,000 pyrotechnic devices of different categories, making 25 complaints to both establishments for serious infringement of Organic Law 4/2015 on the Protection of Citizen Security in accordance with Royal Decree 898/2015, of October 30, which approves the Regulation of Pyrotechnic Devices and Cardboard, since they did not have different regulatory permits for their possession and sale.
Among the sanction proposals made are the sale of pyrotechnic devices of category F1 without the mandatory communication to the corresponding Intervention of Arms and Explosives; the lack of authorization for sale and the absence of the "CE" marking on various products. The amount of fines faced by business owners can reach up to 30,000 euros.
The sale of fireworks without control or without complying with legal requirements, can lead to consumer fraud and even the possibility of causing injuries to users, sometimes of gravity, since these effects contain explosive materials that require minimum requirements for their manufacture, labelling, transport, storage and use.
Classification by category of pyrotechnic products according to their dangerousness and their effects.
Spanish legislation establishes a classification for pyrotechnic products. Each of the classes receives a denomination that must be visible in the product. In addition, the regulation establishes specific limitations or conditions for users to purchase these products depending on their dangerousness and effects:
F1: They have a very reduced risk and can be used indoors. The minimum age to use them is 12 years and examples of them are thunders, flares or fountains.
F2: With a reduced risk, they have to be used outdoors and the minimum age to use them is 16 years, example of them are thunders, flares, fountains, wheels, rockets, candles or dollies.
F3: they have a medium risk and must be used outdoors in large and open areas. The minimum age to use them is 18 years and examples are thunders, flares, wheels, rockets, candles, wheelbarrows or housings.
Recommendations when using fireworks safely
The Civil Guard advises that when pyrotechnic products are purchased, it is observed that they are marked with the CE seal, in turn, they are consumed in suitable places and during their use extreme the necessary precautions so as not to suffer personal damage or endanger the rest of people. Always use them under the supervision of an adult, respecting the minimum ages indicated for each type of product, do not light them near other devices, do not light them in the hand when expressly indicated, never carry fireworks in the pockets and do not place them inside bottles and cans. At all times, a careful safety distance must be kept and care must be taken to use them in open spaces and areas without risk of fire.
Citizen collaboration is requested in case of having knowledge of points of sale without authorization, of sale of unauthorized products or of storage and possession without due guarantees of security.