Filenews 6 February 2026 - by Theodora Nikolaou
The tightening of the legislative framework governing the illegal use of fireworks was voted by the Plenary Session of the Parliament with 33 votes in favour and 2 abstentions.
Specifically, the purpose of the "Explosives (Amendment) Law of 2026" is to amend the Explosives Law, so as to create a clear separation between the responsibilities of the Mines and Quarries Authority and the Cyprus Police, with the ultimate goal of strengthening compliance controls regarding the storage and use of explosives, and the tightening of the legislative framework governing the illegal use of fireworks.
In particular, the following are provided:
- The assignment to the Chief of the Cyprus Police of the responsibility to carry out inspections concerning storage warehouses and places for the use of fireworks, warehouses for the storage of other gunpowder and ammunition, as well as the suppression of the illegal import, transport, storage, sale and use of all types of explosives. It is noted that the granting of all the permits provided for in the basic law and the regulations issued under it and the inspection of the storage warehouses for explosives and explosives and their places of use remain the responsibility of the director of the Mines and Quarries Service.
- The tenfold increase in the fine provided for the illegal use of explosives, without the possession of a license or approval, which will amount to €50,000.
- The extension of criminal liability for the illegal use of fireworks, so that not only the persons who engage in illegal use, but also the organisers of the event in the context of or during which their illegal use takes place and/or the owners and managers of the venue in which the relevant event takes place are prosecuted.
It is clarified that for the purposes of determining fault for committing the offense of illegal use of fireworks due to non-possession of the relevant license, the term "event organizer" may include the couple, in the case of a wedding event, or the parents of a minor, in the case of a baptism event, and the term "owner and/or manager of a venue" may include the owner and/or manager of a banquet venue.
