Purchase, sale, destruction and disposal of pyrotechnic articles of categories P2, T2 and F4 and the carrying out of firework displays

A regulated trade for handling pyrotechnic articles of categories P2, T2 and F4 (purchase, sale, destruction and disposal) and for carrying out firework displays. It requires the professional qualification set out in Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act by reference to Act No. 206/2015 Coll., on pyrotechnics (a certificate of professional competence issued by the Czech Mining Authority), and meeting the general conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act.

Conditions for operating

General conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act: full legal capacity (or, for a minor, the consent of the court) and a clean criminal record, which the Trade Licensing Office verifies from the Criminal Records.

Professional qualification set out directly in Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act by reference to Act No. 206/2015 Coll., on pyrotechnics. The document differs according to the category of articles:
- for the purchase, sale, destruction and disposal of category P2 articles: a certificate of professional competence under Section 36(1)(a) of Act No. 206/2015 Coll.;
- for category T2 and F4 articles and for the carrying out of firework displays: a certificate of professional competence under Section 36(1)(b) of Act No. 206/2015 Coll., or a document under Section 66(8) of the same Act (a transitional provision).

The certificate of professional competence is issued by the Czech Mining Authority after successful completion of training and passing an examination; the training is provided by the Czech Office for Testing of Arms and Ammunition, or by the Czech Mining Authority.

In the case of a regulated trade, the professional qualification cannot be replaced by general practice as in a craft trade; the specific certificate listed in Annex 2 must be evidenced.

If the entrepreneur does not personally meet the professional qualification, it may be ensured through a responsible representative under Section 11 of the Trade Licensing Act (one person may act as a responsible representative for no more than four entrepreneurs).

Always verify the specific scope and type of certificate with the relevant Trade Licensing Office and with the Czech Mining Authority.

Examples of activities

Purchase and wholesale and retail sale of pyrotechnic articles of categories P2, T2 and F4
Carrying out firework displays (professional fireworks) at public and private events
Destruction and disposal of non-functional, expired or damaged pyrotechnic articles of categories P2, T2 and F4
Storage of pyrotechnic articles of the said categories in accordance with the regulations
Preparation and firing of large firework displays with category F4 articles (fireworks for experts)
Handling of theatrical (stage) pyrotechnics of category T2
Professional advice and safety provision in firework displays

What the trade is and what it is for

The trade “Purchase, sale, destruction and disposal of pyrotechnic articles of categories P2, T2 and F4 and the carrying out of firework displays” is a regulated trade listed in Annex 2 to the Trade Licensing Act (Act No. 455/1991 Coll.). It authorises you to do business with the most dangerous categories of pyrotechnics, which are not intended for the general public, and to professionally fire firework displays.

The categories correspond to Act No. 206/2015 Coll., on pyrotechnics: F4 is fireworks with a high level of danger intended exclusively for persons with specialist knowledge, T2 is theatrical (stage) pyrotechnics for experts, and P2 are other pyrotechnic articles for experts. Handling them is conditional on a certificate of professional competence and on an authorisation to handle pyrotechnic articles under the Pyrotechnics Act.

What falls under this trade (and what does not)

The trade covers in particular:

purchase, storage and sale of pyrotechnic articles of categories P2, T2 and F4,
carrying out firework displays, that is the professional preparation and firing of fireworks,
destruction and disposal of pyrotechnic articles of the said categories.

Boundaries with neighbouring activities: The sale of ordinary fireworks of categories F1 and F2 (freely sold firecrackers, sparklers) falls under a different regime and does not require this regulated trade. The manufacture of pyrotechnic articles is a separate activity with its own permitting requirements and is not part of this notifiable regulated trade. Likewise, the transport of explosives and dangerous goods itself is governed by further special regulations.

Statutory conditions for obtaining it

You must meet the general conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act:

full legal capacity (for a minor this can be replaced by the consent of the court),
a clean criminal record, which the Trade Licensing Office verifies from the Criminal Records.

You must also evidence professional qualification. For regulated trades, the professional qualification is set out separately for each trade directly in Annex 2 and, unlike craft trades, it cannot be replaced by general practice. For this trade, Annex 2 refers to Act No. 206/2015 Coll., on pyrotechnics, and the required document differs according to the category of articles:

for category P2 articles you evidence professional qualification by a certificate under Section 36(1)(a) of Act No. 206/2015 Coll.,
for category T2 and F4 articles and for firework displays you evidence professional qualification by a certificate under Section 36(1)(b) of Act No. 206/2015 Coll., or by a document under Section 66(8) of the same Act (a transitional provision).

The certificate of professional competence is issued by the Czech Mining Authority after passing an examination; the training is provided by the Czech Office for Testing of Arms and Ammunition, or by the Czech Mining Authority.

If you do not meet the qualification personally, you may appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 of the Trade Licensing Act – a person who meets the conditions and is responsible for the proper operation of the trade. One person may be a responsible representative for no more than four entrepreneurs.

Given the regulated nature of the activity, always verify the exact type and scope of the certificate with the relevant Trade Licensing Office and with the Czech Mining Authority.

How to notify or obtain the trade step by step

This is a notifiable trade, so the licence arises on the day of notification.

Fill in the Unified Registration Form (URF).
Submit the notification at any municipal Trade Licensing Office, online via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or via Czech POINT.
Evidence the document of professional qualification (a certificate under the Pyrotechnics Act), and where applicable the appointment of a responsible representative.
Pay the administrative fee.
The office enters the trade in the Trade Register, usually within 5 working days of the conditions being met.

You will find the detailed procedure in the guide How to start a trade.

Documents and fees

a completed URF,
proof of identity,
a certificate of professional competence under Act No. 206/2015 Coll. (under Section 36(1)(a) for P2, or under Section 36(1)(b) or Section 66(8) for T2, F4 and firework displays); where applicable the documents of the responsible representative and their declaration,
the clean criminal record is verified by the office from the Criminal Records itself,
administrative fee of CZK 1,000 for notifying the trade, or CZK 800 for electronic submission via the portal.

Frequently asked questions

Can I sell ordinary firecrackers without this trade?

Freely sold fireworks of categories F1 and F2 do not fall under this regulated trade. You need it for categories P2, T2 and F4 and for firework displays.

Is practice enough instead of education?

No. In a regulated trade the professional qualification cannot be replaced by general practice; you must evidence a certificate under Act No. 206/2015 Coll., on pyrotechnics.

What if I do not have the certificate?

You may appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 of the Trade Licensing Act who meets the professional qualification.

When can I start trading?

On the day of notification; the office enters the trade in the Register usually within 5 working days.

Where do I obtain the certificate of professional competence?

The certificate is issued by the Czech Mining Authority after passing an examination; the training is provided by the Czech Office for Testing of Arms and Ammunition, or by the Czech Mining Authority.