Filenews 7 May 2025
What happens to explosives and fireworks, which are covered by the same legislation? Can one store fireworks or explosives anywhere or should one store the materials in storage areas?
On the occasion of the explosion in Limassol, we referred to the legislation "Law on Explosives (CHAPTER 54), which clearly provides that their holder must hold a relevant license. Specifically, their holder must obtain a permit for their possession from the inspector of explosives.
According to the legislation, fireworks (like other explosives) must be stored in explosives warehouses. Also, a permit is required for the transport of explosives/fireworks.
Obviously, since it is inconceivable that no one who is unlicensed should possess explosives, the legislation includes provisions and offences, mainly for the licensees.
The "Law on Explosives" (CHAPTER 54) also provides for the following:
A person who –
(a) imports or attempts to import;
(b) constructs or attempts to construct;
(c) sells or stores or attempts to sell or store;
(d) carries or is in possession of it;
(e) exports or attempts to export;
(f) is transiting or attempting to transit;
(g) uses or attempts to use any explosive material without having a licence or authorisation (the burden of proof of which is borne by him), is guilty of an offence, and if convicted, is subject to imprisonment not exceeding ten years or to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or to both of these penalties.
It is recalled that because the evil was caused by the throwing of fireworks, MP Charalambos Theopemptou submitted to the parliament a proposal for a law (the Explosives (Amendment) Law of 2025), by which "the sale of fireworks by any person is prohibited, without the prior securing of a sales license in accordance with the provisions of article 4".
The explanatory memorandum of the proposal states that its purpose is to amend the Law on Explosives in order to prohibit the sale of fireworks, regardless of the type, type, class or quantity sold, without the prior obtaining of a license to sell fireworks by the competent authority.
In particular, the proposed law aims to establish a strict framework regarding the sale of fireworks through which their safe and responsible use will be ensured as well as the limitation of the phenomenon of uncontrolled throwing of fireworks.
According to the rapporteur, the proposed regulation was necessary in view of the uncontrolled sale of fireworks and the resulting outbreak of dumping of these products, given the adverse health effects of children and animals from their disposal.
It is recalled that on April 24, 2024, from the throwing of fireworks, for the use of which a license was even given by the Mining Service, a forest fire broke out in Ha-Potami. The fire had broken out at 20:20 in the evening near Petra tou Romiou in an inaccessible area at the location "Kamilostrata" of the "Radi" National Forest Park. The fire burned an area of 10 hectares covered in bushes and low wild vegetation. The fireworks were thrown as part of a private party.
