Pyrotechnic articles

Pyrotechnic articles are mainly used in automotive restraint systems (airbags and seatbelt tensioners) and fireworks. The sector is regulated by Directive 2007/23/EC on the placing on the market of pyrotechnic articles.

The Directive protects consumers by requiring that pyrotechnic articles must meet essential safety requirements. It also creates an internal market for those articles that meet these essential safety requirements. In order to demonstrate that their articles comply with the essential safety requirements, manufacturers must have the their products assessed by independent testing institutes (notified bodies)

If justified on grounds of public order, security, safety or environmental protection, Member States have the possibility to ban the sale to consumers of certain types of pyrotechnic articles.

A revised version has been proposed in 2011. It has been approved subject to amendments by the European Parliament on 22 May 2013.