CONTROL OF FIREWORKS AND OTHER EXPLOSIVES ġ S.L.33.03 1
SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 33.03
CONTROL OF FIREWORKS AND OTHER 
EXPLOSIVES REGULATIONS
1st January, 1999;
1st March, 1999;
30th April, 1999;
31st December, 1999
LEGAL NOTICE 243 of 1998 as amended by Legal Notices 266 of 1998,
122 and 125 of 1999, and 118 and 164 of 2001.
Title.
Amended by:
L.N. 266 of 1998.
1. The title of these Regulations is Control of Fireworks and
other Explosives Regulations.
Definitions.
requires-
"inhabited area" means any area in which there is an aggregation
of houses inhabited, or capable of being inhabited, by more than
one hundred persons;
"fireworks factory" means any premises where fireworks are
manufactured or stored and includes any area within the boundary
walls thereof;
"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Police;
"manufacture" includes the carrying out of any process of
manufacture;
"Minister" means the Minister responsible for the Police;
Cap. 33.
Fixing of signs.
Substituted by:
L.N. 118 of 2001.
3. (1) There shall be fixed an appropriate number of signs at a
safe distance from the fireworks factory to alert persons of the
danger involved and to secure their safety.
(2) The number and size of the signs and their spacing and
distance from each individual factory shall be decided by the
Commissioner after consulting the Explosives Committee.
(3) The signs shall contain the following words in both Maltese
and English:
"DANGER
Fireworks Factory
It is dangerous to Go
Beyond this Point".
(4) It shall be the responsibility of the licensee of the fireworks
factory to ensure that these signs are fixed in accordance with the
directions given by the Commissioner and that they are kept in an
upright position and properly maintained.
Licence.
such manufacture without a licence from the Commissioner. Such
licence shall be restricted to such fireworks only as are mentioned
2 ġ S.L.33.03 CONTROL OF FIREWORKS AND OTHER EXPLOSIVES
in the Second Schedule to these Regulations.
(2) There shall be the following categories of licences:
( a ) Category "A" - for persons who are qualified to
manufacture and supervise the manufacture of
fireworks;
( b ) Category "B" - for assistants to persons holding
licence Category "A"; and
( c ) Category "C" - for persons who are authorised to let
off fireworks under the supervision of a person in
possession of a Category "A" licence:
Provided that persons licensed in Categories "A" and "B"
shall also be authorised to let off fireworks.
(3) No licences "A" and "B" shall be issued unless the
applicant has previously attended a course of instruction on the
subject and passed an oral test which satisfies the examiners that he
possesses the necessary technical knowledge and ability to
manufacture fireworks in the case of a Category "A" licence, or to
assist in their manufacture in the case of a Category "B" licence,
without danger to himself or to others.
(4) Applications for licences in Categories "A" and "B" are to
be endorsed by the licensee of the fireworks factory in which the
applicant intends to operate.
(5) Applications for licences in Category "A" shall only be
considered if applicants have been in possession of a licence in
Category "B" for at least two years.
(6) A licence for Category "C" shall only be issued to those
persons who pass an oral test which satisfies the examiners that he
possesses the necessary technical knowledge and ability to let off
fireworks without danger to himself or to others.
Form or licence. 5. Licences shall be in the form of an identity card.
Licensee to carry 
licence.
6. (1) No person shall enter into any fireworks factory to
handle fireworks unless he carries with him the licence which he
shall produce to an authorised inspector on demand. The licensee of
a licensed fireworks factory, or in his absence any other person
holding a licence "A", shall be responsible for ensuring that any
restrictions or conditions attached thereto are complied with.
(2) No person holding a Category "B" licence shall enter or
remain in any fireworks factory unless there is present therein a
person holding a Category "A" licence.
(3) No person shall be present in fireworks factories for the
purpose of maintenance of the premises or equipment unless he is
so authorised by the divisional police inspector responsible for the
district and unless he is accompanied by a person holding a
Category "A" licence.
Handling of 
fireworks.
7. (1) No person shall handle or be allowed to handle any
fireworks, or loiter within the boundaries of a fireworks factory
unless he is in possession of a licence "A" or "B".
CONTROL OF FIREWORKS AND OTHER EXPLOSIVES ġ S.L.33.03 3
(2) The licensee of a fireworks factory shall set up signs
indicating the presence of the factory at a distance of two hundred
metres from such factory on every road, lane or path leading to the
said factory.
Prohibited 
substances.
8. It shall not be lawful for any person to manufacture, store,
convey or discharge any firework which contains any of the
following substances:
( a ) any admixture of chlorate of potash and sulphur or any
chlorates in an admixture with sulphur;
( b ) an admixture of chlorate of potash with phosphorus or
any chlorate in an admixture with phosphorus; or
(c) nitro-glycerine gelignite, TNT or other similar high
explosive.
Blasting 
accessories.
9. The use of blasting accessories, such as detonators, electric
otherwise, and detonating cord in the manufacture of any
fireworks, shall be prohibited:
Provided that the use of electric igniters shall be allowed.
Casing.
as casing for ground, rooftop, terrace and aerial fireworks.
Sales of fireworks.
sparklers, by shops or street vendors is prohibited.
(2) For the purpose of this regulation, a small sparkler is a wire
or stick, coated with pyrotechnic composition which cannot exceed
fifty (50) grams per item that produces a shower of sparks upon
ignition. Items containing chlorate or perchlorate salt, cannot
exceed five (5) grams of composition every item.
Discharge of 
fireworks.
Amended by:
L.N. 122 of 1999.
12. Any person who applies for a licence to discharge
fireworks as provided for in article 24 of the Ordinance shall -
( a ) comply with the times set out in the First Schedule or
as otherwise indicated in the licence;
( b ) satisfy the Commissioner that the fireworks were
manufactured in a licensed factory;
( c ) produce a policy of insurance adequately covering any
claims arising from the death or personal injury to
third parties or from damage to third party’s property
that may be caused by any explosion or other factor
during discharge of fireworks;
( d ) ensure that persons letting off fireworks are in
possession of a Category "A", "B" or "C" licence.
Fireworks during 
band marches, etc.
13. Except for such ground fireworks (without bombs, rockets
and aerial catherine wheels) as are known as  ġiggifogu, the letting
off of any other types of fireworks from streets during band
marches or other occasions shall be unlawful.
Discharge sites.
unless -
4 ġ S.L.33.03 CONTROL OF FIREWORKS AND OTHER EXPLOSIVES
( a ) the site is the one approved for that purpose in a
licence issued under the Ordinance;
( b ) in the discharge of any fireworks from any approved
site, he satisfies the provisions set out in the First and
Second Schedules;
( c ) the pipes for the discharge of aerial fireworks are
effectively screened at the site by wooden boards,
sandbags, tyres or cardboard or wooden boxes filled
with soil or similar material, so as to prevent the flying
of fragments caused by unintentional explosion.
Restricted sites.  15. (1) Only fireworks of the approved type may be let off
from a restricted site.
(2) For the purposes of sub-regulation (1) hereof, a "restricted
site" is a site so declared by the Commissioner on the advice of the
group of experts referred to in regulation 16 and includes an area
within such distance from such site as may be declared by the
Commissioner on the advice of the same group, and "fireworks of
the approved type" are fireworks of such type as may be approved
by the Commissioner for the purpose on the advice of the said
group.
Group of experts to 
advise Minister on 
restricted areas.
16. (1) The Minister shall appoint a group of experts under the
chairmanship of the chairman of the Explosives Committee for the
purposes of regulation 15, consisting of -
( a ) all the members of the Explosives Committee,
( b ) a representative of the Museums Department,
( c ) a representative of the Planning Authority,
( d ) a representative of such association as in the opinion
of the Minister is most representative of fireworks
manufacturers,
( e ) such other person chosen from amongst persons who
in the opinion of the Minister have knowledge and
experience in explosives and/or fireworks after
consultation with the most representative organisations
concerned in such matters.
(2) In submitting their advice, the experts shall take into
consideration the type of fireworks to be discharged from the site,
the value, historical or otherwise, of the site from where these
fireworks are intended to be discharged, and the safety distances
involved.
(3) Any member of the group of experts may at any time resign
his appointment and the Minister may direct that any such member
who appears to him to be unfit to continue in office or to be
incapable of discharging his duties shall cease to hold office; but,
save as aforesaid, the members of the group shall hold office for
such period, not exceeding two years from the date of their
appointment, as may be determined by the Minister on their
appointment and shall be eligible for reappointment.
(4) If any vacancy in the composition of the group of experts
CONTROL OF FIREWORKS AND OTHER EXPLOSIVES ġ S.L.33.03 5
occurs during its term of office, on account of death, resignation or
for any other cause, the Minister shall, as soon as practicable,
appoint another person to fill the vacancy:
Provided that the group may act notwithstanding any such
vacancy as long as a quorum consisting of half the members is
present. The group shall otherwise regulate its own proceedings.
Removal of 
misfired fireworks.
17. The person licensed to discharge fireworks shall take the
necessary steps for the recovery and removal from the area around
the site of discharge, of such items of fireworks which fail to ignite
or explode as well as any other material resulting from the
discharge of such fireworks.
Times for 
discharge.
18. No aerial fireworks shall be discharged on any day and
times other than those indicated in the Police permit.
Importation of 
explosives.
19. (1) An application for the importation of explosives shall
be made on a form as prescribed in the Third Schedule. Such
application shall be accompanied by a declaration in English from
the supplier showing that such explosives are suitable for the
manufacture of fireworks or otherwise as well as by a certificate in
English of the chemical analysis of the explosives.
(2) The Commissioner of Police may require the applicant to
produce a sample of the explosives to be imported for laboratory
analysis and the Commissioner of Police may also require to take a
sample of the imported material to ascertain that the explosives
imported are in conformity with the specifications contained in the
declaration and the certificate produced with the application.
(3) The importer shall not remove any labels or other
specifications affixed to the containers of such explosives prior to
the supply thereof to the manufacturers.
Limitation of 
certain sales.
20. No dealer or manufacturer may sell or deliver to any
person, not being the licensee of a fireworks factory, any quantity
of chlorate of potash, chlorate of barium, perchlorate of potash and
the nitrates of potassium and barium.
6 ġ S.L.33.03 CONTROL OF FIREWORKS AND OTHER EXPLOSIVES
FIRST SCHEDULE
Regulations 12 ( a ) and 14 ( b )
TIMES OF DISCHARGING OF FIREWORKS
l. Moving the Statute from the Niche
Ground fireworks, without bombs, rockets and aerial catherine
wheels ( mġienen) shall finish by not later than 1 a.m. of the
following day.
2. First and Second Day of Triduum
Ground fireworks, without bombs, rockets and aerial catherine
wheels ( mġienen) shall finish by not later than 1 a.m. of the
following day.
3. Third Day of Triduum
As per days at 1 and 2 above, except that the evening display
may extend for up to 45 minutes, but not to exceed 11 p.m.
Ground fireworks, without bombs, rockets and aerial catherine
wheels ( mġienen) shall finish by not later than 1 a.m. of the
following day.
4. Eve of the Feast
8 a.m. ................................................ 10 minutes
12 noon ............................................. 10 minutes
Removal of the statue from the niche . 20 minutes
Evening display ................................. 20 minutes, not to
finish later than 10 p.m.
8 a.m. ................................................ 10 minutes
12 noon ............................................. 10 minutes
End of religious function ( barka ) ....... 20 minutes
Evening display ................................. 20 minutes, not to
finish later than 10 p.m.
Te Deum or 8 a.m. ............................. 30 minutes
12 noon ............................................. 20 minutes
Evening service ( Translazzjoni ) ......... 1 hour of daylight
fireworks display
Evening display ................................. to commence by not
later than 10 p.m. but to
finish by not later than
11.30 p.m. (provided
that any such display
shall not exceed in total
a maximum of two
hours from
commencement)
CONTROL OF FIREWORKS AND OTHER EXPLOSIVES ġ S.L.33.03 7
5. Day of the feast
6. The following conditions shall also be observed:
( a ) The times of firing shall be clearly indicated in the
Police permit. The sporadic discharge of aerial
fireworks shall be prohibited.
( b ) All applications for air or ground fireworks shall be
endorsed by the President or Secretary of the  Għaqda
Piroteknika Maltija.
( c ) All applications for the discharge of fireworks shall be
referred to the Commissioner of Police at least one
month in advance of the event.
( d ) Only applications from licensed manufacturers and
endorsed by the  Għaqda Piroteknika Maltija shall be
accepted.
( e ) In all cases, the times of firing shall be clearly
indicated in the application and permits shall be
strictly enforced.
( f ) The divisional Police shall perform patrols in the
countryside to ensure that no unauthorised discharge
of aerial fireworks takes place beyond the times laid
down in the permits and from sites not indicated in the
permits. The firing sites shall be manned by the Police,
on payment by the organisers of the event, in such
numbers to be determined by the district
superintendent to ensure that the times of firing laid
down in the permits shall be strictly enforced.
( g ) An application for Police attendance (on payment) for
the conveyance of fireworks shall invariably be
demanded.
( h ) All departures from permits shall be reported to the
Commissioner of Police immediately by telephone
Ground fireworks, without bombs,
rockets and aerial catherine wheels
( mġienen) .............................................. to end by 1.30 a.m. of
the following day - no
aerial fireworks to
follow.
8 a.m. ................................................ 10 minutes
12 noon/ Sanctus  ................................ 20 minutes
Procession ......................................... ( a ) 7 p.m. on Feast
Day and to finish by 11
p.m. in general; and
( b ) 8 a.m. on Feast
Day and to finish by 12
noon in respect of feasts
where the procession is
traditionally held in the
morning
8 ġ S.L.33.03 CONTROL OF FIREWORKS AND OTHER EXPLOSIVES
message and in writing. All offenders shall be charged
without fail.
Amended by:
L.N. 125 of 1999.
SECOND SCHEDULE
Regulation 14 
TYPE OF FIREWORKS PERMITTED DURING DISCHARGE
A. Ground fireworks
( a ) The set piece and fireworks known as  ġiggifogu.
( b ) Catherine wheels.
B. Permitted rooftop and terrace fireworks
( a ) Small paper bombs ( musketterija ) to be let off at a
distance of not less than seven metres from the inside
of the facade. In the absence of such distance,
applicant shall encase the roll of paper bombs in wire
netting to prevent the flying of projectiles.
( b ) Coloured smoke canisters to be let off at a distance of
not less than two metres from the inside of the facade.
( c ) Bengala lights or lances not exceeding one inch
(2.5cms) in diameter, to be let off at a distance of not
less than two metres from the inside of the facade.
( d ) Stoppini  not exceeding 1cm in diameter to be let off at
a distance of not less than four metres on the inside of
the facade.
C. Aerial fireworks
( a ) Not more than 21 maroons not exceeding 15cms
diameter and 15cms length to be fired as a salute at (i)
exit of the statute from the niche, (ii) during the
Evening Service ( Translazzjoni ), and (iii) during the
commencement of the procession on the Feast Day.
( b ) Maroons of a size not exceeding 10cms in diameter
and 10cms in length.
( c ) Coloured or cracker multiple break shells. Any bomb
attachments are not to exceed 10cms in diameter and
10cms in length.
( d ) Batteries of coloured shells, maroons, crackers and
whistles.
D. Distances for the letting off of fireworks
( a ) To be discharged from 60 metres distance from an
inhabited area or public streets used regularly by
motor vehicles -  bukketti   tal-kulur  and  beraq/spanjoli
of up to 5cms diameter; maroons cannot be discharged.
( b ) To be discharged from 150 metres distance from an
inhabited area or public streets used regularly by
motor vehicles - maroons not exceeding 7.6cms in
CONTROL OF FIREWORKS AND OTHER EXPLOSIVES ġ S.L.33.03 9
diameter and 7.6cms in length; also coloured, whistles
or cracker shells ( kaxxi tal-bombi, kuluri, beraq u
sfafar ).
( c ) To be discharged from 200 metres distance from an
inhabited area or public streets used regularly by
motor vehicles - all other types of fireworks.
10 ġ S.L.33.03 CONTROL OF FIREWORKS AND OTHER EXPLOSIVES
THIRD SCHEDULE
(Regulation 19)
APPLICATION FOR THE IMPORTATION OF EXPLOSIVES
