Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill
Overview
This Bill would seek to restrict the supply and use of certain kinds of fireworks and pyrotechnic articles. An example of a pyrotechnic article would be a distress flare.
The Bill impacts businesses and individuals. It creates a new licensing system which means that:
- members of the public will need a licence to buy, possess or use certain fireworks,
- businesses supplying fireworks will need to confirm that the people getting the fireworks either have a licence or don’t need one.
It will be a criminal offence to buy, possess or use fireworks without licence, or to supply fireworks to a person without a licence. It will also be an offence to give fireworks or pyrotechnic articles to a child, or buy them on behalf of a child.
The Bill specifies that certain fireworks can only be supplied to, and used by, members of the public at certain times, including:
- Vaisakhi
- Guy Fawkes Day
- Hogmanay
- Chinese New Year
- Diwali
There are exemptions for organised public firework displays and professionally organised displays.
In addition, the Bill grants local authorities the powers to set-up ‘firework control zones’. Councils will be able to restrict the use of fireworks in these zones, although professionally organised or public displays may still be allowed.
The possession of pyrotechnic articles when travelling to or at certain places and events will become an offence under the Bill. This could include certain sports events, sports grounds or music events.
The new rules created by the Bill will be enforced by trading standards or Police Scotland.
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill as introduced
The Bill was passed on 29 June 2022 and became an Act on 10 August 2022
Contents
Stage 2 - Changes to detail
MSPs can propose changes (“amendments”) to the Bill. The amendments are considered and decided on by a committee.
The Bill ended Stage 2 on 01 June 2022
Correspondence
Committee correspondence sent and received while the Bill progressed through Parliament
Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill Crown Office Response
Letter from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to the Convener, 16 March 2023
Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill response from the Scottish Government
Letter from the Scottish Government to the Cler, 6 March 2023
Minister for Parliamentary Business response to evidence session
Letter from the Minister for Parliamentary Business to the Convener, 2 March
Timetable
The Parliament agreed that consideration of the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill at stage 2 be completed by 8 June 2022.
First meeting on amendments
Documents with the amendments considered at the meeting held on 25 May 2022.
First Marshalled List of Amendments for Stage 2 (743KB, pdf) posted 20 May 2022
First Groupings of Amendments for Stage 2 (787KB, pdf) posted 20 May 2022
Second meeting on amendments
Documents with the amendments considered at the meeting held on 1 June 2022.
Second Marshalled List of Amendments for Stage 2 (685KB, pdf) posted 26 May 2022
Second Groupings of Amendments for Stage 2 (663KB, pdf) posted 26 May 2022
Bill as amended at Stage 2
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill as amended at stage 2 (2MB, pdf) posted 01 June 2022
Work by other committees
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Additional information from the Scottish Government on the Bill following Stage 2
Revised Explanatory Notes
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill revised explanatory notes (290KB, pdf) posted 10 August 2022
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill revised explanatory notes (print version) (402KB, pdf) posted 16 June 2022
Explanation of the Bill
Revised Financial Memorandum
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill revised financial memorandum (415KB, pdf) posted 17 June 2022
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill revised financial memorandum (print version) (422KB, pdf) posted 10 June 2022
How much the Bill is likely to cost
Revised Delegated Powers Memorandum
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill revised delegated powers memorandum (210KB, pdf) posted 28 June 2022
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill revised delegated powers memorandum (print version) (273KB, pdf) posted 10 June 2022
Information on the powers the Bill gives the Scottish Ministers and others to make “secondary legislation” (usually regulations) and to the Scottish Ministers (such as to make guidance).