WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has updated the certification process for the transport of consumer fireworks, also known as 1.4G fireworks, making approvals quicker and more efficient while continuing to meet strict safety requirements.

“Our mission is to protect the public from the risks of transporting hazardous materials, including the fireworks that families, friends and neighbors enjoy during the summer months,” said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “This updated approval process maintains our commitment to safety while helping businesses operate more efficiently – a win-win situation for families and the economy.”

The new Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) consumer fireworks certification amendment will allow DOT-approved fireworks certification agencies (FCA) to perform the same function as PHMSA’s approval program. Requirements to become an FCA include meeting technical qualifications and specific criteria to ensure the laboratory’s or other entity’s qualifications, impartiality and independence. Providing additional avenues for certification will speed up the process and reduce some of the uncertainty related to ordering fireworks and other supply chain issues. 

PHMSA’s consumer fireworks approval program had seen increases in applications over the years, resulting in a backlog. After processing the applications, PHMSA conducted an extensive review of the process and identified the FCA option as a way to streamline the approvals process and increase flexibility for the fireworks industry while maintaining the current level of safety.  

Last year, more than 19,000 fireworks applications were processed, averaging 200 to 400 applications a week. Approximately 60 percent of these applications were for consumer fireworks.

The HMR consumer fireworks amendment establishes how manufacturers, or their designated consumer fireworks agents, may submit applications for certification to FCAs in lieu of submitting applications for approval to PHMSA.  The amendment also establishes the criteria for entities to be considered an FCA, as well as the process for applying to become an FCA.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration develops and enforces regulations for the safe, reliable, and environmentally sound operation of the nation's 2.5 million mile pipeline transportation system and the nearly 1 million daily shipments of hazardous materials by land, sea, and air. Please visit http://phmsa.dot.gov for more information.

###