The Minister of Economy has adopted a royal decree, published today, banning the sale and possession of certain articles that are used dangerously, endangering public safety and that of their users. These restrictions have been called for by local authorities, police forces and certain associations alike.
The royal decree, published today in the Belgian Official Gazette, amends the royal decree of 23 September 1958 on the general regulation of the manufacture, storage, possession, sale, transport and use of explosive products, as well as the royal decree of 20 October 2015 on the making available on the market of pyrotechnic articles. The amendments only concern the type of article that may be sold and possessed by private individuals. The age limits for consumers or holders remain unchanged, as does the quantity of fireworks a private individual may possess (1 kilogram). This text allows Belgium to comply with its Benelux commitments on preventing the misuse of certain pyrotechnic articles by the general public, while taking into account the observations made by the Council of State.
Background
In 2024, a first royal decree was adopted to make the conditions for sale and possession stricter for private individuals, but this decree was annulled by the Council of State ruling of 22 May 2025, which found that certain restrictions were not sufficiently justified. The new draft adopted by the federal Minister of Economy addresses these remarks by providing detailed and proportionate justification for the measures retained, which was indeed acknowledged by the Council of State in its opinion of 26 April. This royal decree also allows Belgium to honour the commitment made to its Benelux partners under the decision of 27 September 2022 on preventing the misuse of pyrotechnic articles intended for the general public.
Articles prohibited for private individuals
Pyrotechnic articles in category T1, as well as certain specific types in category P1, may no longer be sold to consumers. The bans specifically target articles frequently misused during riots, particularly for vandalism, arson and attacks on police forces. These include torches, high-power Bengal flares, pyrotechnic smoke generators and firecrackers whose explosive charge exceeds what is reasonably acceptable for private use.
Bengal flares and lower-power pyrotechnic articles (categories F1 and F2), on the other hand, remain permitted for the general public, provided the applicable safety rules are followed.
The text also confirms the limit of one kilogram of pyrotechnic material that a private individual may hold without authorisation, while providing the justification requested by the Council of State to maintain this standard.
At the same time, several administrative simplifications are planned for traders for whom the sale of pyrotechnic products is only marginal and intended for very specific uses, as well as for certain professionals, particularly in the automotive sector. For example, bakers selling sparklers, garden centres wishing to offer certain devices against pests, or DIY stores offering certain nail guns. These traders will be exempt from permits for storing small quantities and selling low-risk pyrotechnic articles.
Minister Clarinval has instructed the Federal Public Service Economy to plan for stepped-up enforcement of these new provisions ahead of the end-of-year festivities.
The royal decree comes into force 10 days after its publication in the Belgian Official Gazette, i.e. on 4 July 2026.
David Clarinval, Minister of Economy: “Although a European and national framework already exists, we must acknowledge that in Belgium, certain pyrotechnic articles are regularly diverted from their festive purpose to cause harm, intimidate or even injure. They then pose a danger to our fellow citizens at sporting events, demonstrations, or towards our police and emergency services, firefighters and paramedics. The royal decree I have just adopted is intended to be proportionate and properly justified, in order to strengthen safety for everyone.”