Fireworks must meet EU safety standards

All fireworks imported into Iceland must now conform to European safety standards and bear the CE conformity mark, according to new legislation adopted by the Icelandic Parliament (‘Alþingi’).

Visitors to Iceland around New Year’s Eve, in particular, will be well aware of Icelanders’ enthusiasm for celebrating with fireworks.

Shortly before adjourning for summer recess, Alþingi passed an amendment of the country’s Weapons Act incorporating a European Union (EU) directive on firework sales.

From now on, all importers of fireworks into Iceland must ensure goods bear the CE safety mark indicating that the fireworks conform to all European safety and monitoring standards. Monitoring enforcement of these new rules will be the repsonsibility of the Icelandic Consumer Agency (‘Neytendastofa’).

The Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue (ICE-SAR) – Iceland’s biggest importer and retailer of fireworks – welcomes the changes, despite the initial extra costs involved.

“The ICE-SAR Board of Governors welcomes the fact that the legal framework for importing and selling fireworks is to become clearer and more targeted […],” reads a statement from the Association.

“The Board is of the opinion that fireworks must bear the CE marking to ensure that they meet the basic requirements laid down in the relevant directives.”