Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001796/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Nikos Pappas (The Left)
Greece’s current regulatory framework governing pyrotechnic articles, grounded in legislation dating back to Law 456/1976 and Presidential Decree 293/1977, is increasingly at odds with the harmonised provisions of Directive 2013/29/EU. While the directive clearly classifies categories F2 and F3 as suitable for the general public and F4 as exclusively for professionals, Greek enforcement authorities appear to conflate these distinctions, erroneously treating all three categories as restricted-use fireworks. This misinterpretation has led to a blanket prohibition on the use of pyrotechnics at private events – despite the fact that Article 4(2) of the directive permits Member States to impose restrictions solely on articles intended for the general public.
To ensure the correct application of Union law, safeguard the internal market’s integrity and enable certified, licensed professionals in Greece to operate in line with EU norms, I ask the Commission to clarify the following:
- 1.Does Article 4(2) permit Member States to impose restrictions exclusively on the general public, or may these extend to certified professionals operating under national and EU authorisations?
- 2.Does the omission of Category F4 from Article 4(2) reflect the legislator’s intention to exempt professional-use-only pyrotechnics from national restrictions?
- 3.Should the phrase ‘to the general public’ in Article 4(2) be interpreted as applying to possession, use and sale, or solely to the sale of pyrotechnic articles?
Submitted: 2.5.2025