Few days before New Year’s Eve, the customs office warned against the purchase of non-approved firework bodies. “Illegally used firework is extremely dangerous and can be associated with extreme risks” said Gabriele Oder, spokesperson for the Kiel Main Customs Office, on Thursday. “Even with cautious use, these firework bodies can lead to severe injuries, such as burns, loss of limbs and eyesight, or scarring.”
Additionally, there are legal consequences to be expected. “Whenever the customs office seizes illegal firework, it always initiates a criminal procedure, and the firework is confiscated or secured” said Oder.
The import of untested and unmarked firework with the CE mark is prohibited and punishable by law, even if the CE mark is forged. The customs office therefore strongly advises to only buy firework that has been tested and carries the CE mark.
Furthermore, it should be noted that in Germany, a special explosives permit is already required for certain firework of category F2. For firework of categories F3 (medium firework) and F4 (large firework), this permit is required in any case.
The customs office in particular draws attention to different types of crackers. The firework in Germany, belonging to category F2, which can be bought and used by those 18 and older, contain black powder, while “BKS crackers” consist of a flash-bang mixture (BKS). This behaves much more aggressively when ignited than black powder. Large quantities of BKS are capable of generating so much energy that an explosion becomes a detonation. Therefore, the greatest caution is required, and in Germany, a permit for the use of explosives is necessary, the customs office says.
In some EU member states, BKS crackers are even classified in category F2 and are therefore allowed, but not in Germany. In this country, BKS crackers are only found in categories F3 and F4.