Vrij verkeer van goederen: Commissie verzoekt Hongarije, Luxemburg en Nederland om de regels van de EU over pyrotechnische artikelen na te leven (en)
The European Commission has today decided to request Hungary, Luxembourg and The Netherlands to implement in full EU rules on safety requirements for pyrotechnic articles (Commission Directive 2007/23/EC). Examples of such articles include fireworks and components for vehicles' air bag systems. So far, Hungary has not implemented the Directive at all and Luxembourg and The Netherlands only partially. The requests take the form of reasoned opinions under EU infringement procedures. If the Member States concerned do not inform the Commission within two months of measures taken to ensure full compliance with their obligations under the Directive, the Commission may decide to refer them the EU's Court of Justice.
The Directive protects consumers by requiring that pyrotechnic articles must meet essential safety requirements. It also ensures that those pyrotechnic articles that meet these essential safety requirements can be sold legally in all EU Member States. In order to demonstrate that their articles comply with the essential safety requirements, manufacturers must have their products assessed by independent testing institutes (notified bodies).
Member States had to adopt and publish the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this piece of legislation by 4 January 2010, even though they only have to apply the national provisions to companies and individuals from 4 July 2010 or even 4 July 2013, depending on the category of pyrotechnic article. The implementation of the Directive however requires the pyrotechnic industry to undertake the necessary preparation to set up the foreseen labelling system. It is therefore of great importance that the national transpositions of these laws are in place in time.
More information on the pyrotechnics Directive:
For more information on EU infringement procedures, see