This Order updates Northern Ireland explosives law so fireworks can be regulated separately, and the new rules start one month after the Order is made.
The Explosives (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 This Order may be cited as the Explosives (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 and shall come into operation on the expiration of one month from the day on which it is made. The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 shall apply to Article 1 and the following provisions of this Order as it applies to a Measure of the Northern Ireland Assembly. This Order shall be construed as one with the Explosives Acts (Northern Ireland) 1875 to 1970. Explosives regulations may, in relation to fireworks, make any such provision as may be made by such regulations in relation to any other description of explosives; and, accordingly, in section 3(1) of the Explosives Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 the words “or the sale or use of fireworks” are hereby repealed. Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), Explosives regulations may— provide for there to be different categories of fireworks; and make different provisions for different categories of fireworks. In section 1 of the Explosives Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 after subsection (4) there shall be inserted the following subsection— Subsections (1) and (2) shall not apply to fireworks of such categories as may be prescribed by Explosives regulations. In this Article “Explosives regulations” has the meaning assigned to it by section 3(1) of the Explosives Act (Northern Ireland) 1970. In section 31 of the Explosives Act 1875 (which as extended by section 39 of that Act prohibits the sale to children of explosives) for the words “any child apparently under the age of thirteen” there shall be substituted the words “ any person apparently under the age of sixteen ”. 1954 c. 33 (N.I.). 1970 c. 10 (N.I.). 1875 c. 17.