International audienceMost fireworks that are used in Europe and North America are produced by manufacturers located in the Far East. Considering the results of tests performed by the Canadian Explosives Research Laboratory (CERL) and INERIS on fireworks imported into their jurisdictions (mainly from China), and taking into account that a new Directive has been published in 2007 in Europe for the certification of pyrotechnic articles (including fireworks), it has becomes apparent that it is necessary to implement an additional system for examining and certifying the fireworks, when importers themselves are not capable of testing the products in accordance with the existing or newly introduced standards. This system could be applied to manufacturers or control laboratories outside of the European Union, and could be applicable to any country wishing to improve the safety of use of fireworks (safety for consumers and safety during display). We present our views in this paper regarding the proposed system : - a comparison between the examination procedures applied by Canada to imported fireworks and their consequential results, and those applied by France (INERIS) to grab samples taken in the importers warehouses imported fireworks from the far east, and their results - some proposals on criteria of minimal competence (qualified or accredited testing laboratory, competent people, testing equipment, testing procedures, ...) to implement in order to qualify the manufacturers exporting into Europe, or local control bodies
