Fireworks and Firecrackers Are Now Banned!

AZOU together with the NGO “UAnimals” and the IFO “Humane Country” co-authored the Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding the Use and Circulation of Pyrotechnic Products,” which entered into force today.

What does this mean? From today, the following is prohibited in Ukraine:

• use of equipment, inventory, and pyrotechnic products that cause or may cause injury to animals;
• causing injury, pain, mutilation, or death to animals during sporting events, shows, video and photo shoots, including through the use of pyrotechnic products;
• use of fireworks of classes F2, F3, F4 (including firecrackers and salutes);
• sale and/or transfer in any way of fireworks of classes F2, F3, F4;
• sale and/or transfer in any way of F1 class fireworks to persons under 16 years of age.

The ban does not apply to:

• use and sale of stage pyrotechnics (classes T1 and T2) and other pyrotechnic products (classes P1 and P2);
• pyrotechnic products intended for use by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, National Police, or emergency rescue services;
• use of F1 class fireworks that have a very low level of danger and negligible noise level;
• conducting sports competitions in rocket modeling or exercises using training grenades and other pyrotechnic devices.

The law provides for a one-year delay in the ban on exports of F2, F3, F4 class pyrotechnic products, allowing businesses to sell their existing inventory.