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Fireworks / pyrotechnics

Fireworks: so beautiful but dangerous when handled in a wrong way!

 In Switzerland approx. 3,000 tonnes of explosives and 1,700 tonnes of pyrotechnic objects or fireworks are used. The majority if the fireworks (around 90 percent) are imported.

The import and manufacture of fireworks in Switzerland are subject to strict federal checks. The Central Office for Explosives and Pyrotechnics (ZSP) in the Federal Police Office (fedpol) is responsible for the checks.

The responsibility for trading and acquiring fireworks and explosives lies with the Cantons.

What, in general, has to be observed?

Anyone wishing to import pyrotechnic objects (fireworks) will generally require an import licence from the Central Office for Explosives and Pyrotechnics

Without a licence the following can be imported:
Pyrotechnic objects for entertainment in holiday or border traffic to an overall weight of 2.5kg gross. It is not permitted to send fireworks by post.

Prohibited fireworks:
Pyrotechnic objects, which are not safe to handle in accordance with article 25 of the Law on Explosives (SprstV), are essentially not allowed to be imported sue to their dangerous nature. This concerns the following products: 
  • Fireworks that explode on the ground (see illustration below); that means all fireworks, which are not transported away on a defined vertical course by a driver or ejection load charge.
  • "Lady-crackers", which are longer than 22 mm (7/8ths of an inch) and/or have a diameter greater than 3 mm (1/8th of an inch).
  • "Exploding devils" with a unit weight over 2.5 mg. .

Police tips for EURO 2008

Avoid problems by observing the following tips: 
  • Leave your fireworks and to be safe your emergency matches and fog petards at home.
  • Setting off fireworks in the stadium is not permitted, endangers you and other spectators and risks a stadium ban.
News

Here you find all messages concerning security at the EURO 2008 »»

UEFA-News
Import regulations

Information of the Federal Office of Police (fedpol) on the import of pyrotechnic objects to Switzerland  »»