About The British Firework Association
The British Firework Association (BFA) is a non-profit organization that aims to promote the safe and sensible use of fireworks in the UK. The BFA was established to ensure that all fireworks sold in the UK are manufactured and tested to the highest standards, thereby reducing the risk of accidents and injuries caused by substandard or illegal fireworks.
The BFA works closely with manufacturers, importers, retailers, and other stakeholders in the fireworks industry to develop best practices for handling, storing, transporting, and using fireworks. The association also provides training and certification programs for professionals who work with fireworks such as pyrotechnicians.
One of the key objectives of the BFA is to educate consumers about how to use fireworks safely. This includes providing guidance on how to choose appropriate types of fireworks for different occasions, how to store them safely at home before use, how to set them up properly for display purposes, and what precautions should be taken during their use.
In addition to promoting safety standards within the industry itself, the BFA also works closely with government agencies such as Trading Standards and local authorities responsible for enforcing regulations related to firework sales and usage. The association advocates for stricter controls on illegal imports of substandard or dangerous products from overseas markets.
The BFA has been instrumental in developing a number of initiatives aimed at improving safety standards within the UK's firework industry. For example:
- The Fireworks Industry Group (FIG) was established by members of the BFA in 2014 as a forum for discussing issues related specifically to professional displays.
- In 2015, following concerns about noise pollution caused by loud bangs from some types of consumer-grade fireworks sold in supermarkets etc., members of FIG developed a new category called "low noise" which has since become widely adopted across Europe.
- In 2016/17 members worked together with Trading Standards officers across England & Wales on Operation Leviathan - an initiative aimed at cracking down on illegal imports & sales.
- In 2020 they launched their own online training course - 'Fireworks Training Online' - which offers comprehensive training modules covering everything from basic safety principles through advanced techniques used by professional pyrotechnicians.
Overall it can be said that The British Firework Association plays an important role not only in promoting safe usage but also ensuring that all stakeholders involved follow strict guidelines when it comes down handling these explosive devices. With its continued efforts towards improving safety standards within this industry we can hope that there will be fewer accidents caused due negligence or lack knowledge among users/consumers alike!