Fireworks are popular with consumers in the lead up to events such as Bonfire Night (5th November). The sale of fireworks is a highly regulated area and it is vital that convenience retailers ensure that they are aware of the rules and guidelines that apply to the sale and storage of these products.
Retailers must apply for permission to store fireworks from their local trading standards service or fire authority. If permission to store fireworks is granted, then fireworks can be sold within the following dates:
- First day of Chinese New Year and three days prior
- Diwali and three days prior
- Between 15 October and 10 November
- Between 26 and 31 December
ACS has produced Assured Advice Guides to support retailers with ‘Preventing Underage Sales’ and ‘Selling Fireworks’. These guides detail the laws and guidelines regarding the sale of some of the products which may be in high demand over the next few weeks and months.
Adult fireworks should not be sold to anyone under the age of 18, this includes all fireworks, except party poppers, throwdowns, caps and novelty matches. ACS recommends that retailers adopt the ‘Challenge 25’ policy when selling fireworks.
New and existing staff must be properly trained and regularly updated on how to sell fireworks. Further guidance on how to put in place effective policy on preventing underage sales is available as part of the ACS Assured Advice on Preventing Underage Sales.
Although there is no legal prohibition on sales of eggs, flour or toilet paper to an underage person, there are times in the year such as around Halloween (31st October) when local police or other community representatives may ask you to limit their sale to under 18s to prevent anti-social behaviour. ACS recommends retailers listen to such requests constructively and accommodate them where possible.
The Assured Advice Guides are available here.
