If the national fireworks ban comes into effect, people will be able to get a permit too easily to light fireworks, according to the Council of State. It therefore advises the cabinet to make the rules for this exemption stricter.

The government wants to ban the lighting of fireworks by private individuals from next year. Clubs, neighborhood associations and other groups are still allowed to do so if they receive an exemption from their municipality.

A number of national conditions apply to this exemption. For example, a maximum of 200 kilos of fireworks may be set off in an area that is easily accessible to the emergency services. Fireworks may also not be delivered until December 31.

The Council of State believes these rules are too “accessible”, as a result of which the exemptions are “at odds” with the aim of the national fireworks ban: a safer New Year’s Eve. The cabinet advisor lists several weaknesses in the law.

For example, there is no national guideline for the distance between the place where fireworks are lit and the public, so this may differ per municipality. Also, someone who applies for the exemption does not have to have any ties with the municipality. “In this way, national associations can apply for exemptions everywhere and purchase fireworks on a larger scale.” in it advice(opens in new window) to read.

In addition, the Council of State writes that it is unclear how the rules can be enforced. That is in principle a task for boas. “But according to the municipalities, these boas are hardly on the streets around New Year’s Eve because of the dangerous situation,” the advisory body says.

Several mayors are also concerned about this. They warn that if many small groups apply for exemptions, enforcement will become very difficult. There can also be major differences between municipalities, making it much easier to obtain an exemption in one municipality than in another.

The House of Representatives and the Senate previously voted by a large majority in favor of a national fireworks ban. The parties still had a number of conditions before the ban took effect. One of those conditions is the exemption scheme.

The Council of State urgently advises not to introduce the rules surrounding the exemption in this way. The question now is what the Senate and House of Representatives will do with this. Only if there are no major objections from parties to the current plan, the national ban can still come into effect next New Year.