The Dutch Senate has voted in favor of a national ban on consumer fireworks. The government wants this to take effect starting from the turn of the year 2026 to 2027. Setting off fireworks will still be allowed during the upcoming New Year’s Eve.
Before the law can come into effect, State Secretary Thierry Aartsen of Infrastructure and Water Management (VVD) must draft a so-called General Administrative Order. In addition, he also has to determine which conditions the associations have to meet to be able to provide firework shows. Aartsen said in the Eerste Kamer, the Dutch Senate, that he would not be able to do this in time for the next New Year’s Eve.
The fireworks ban had been under consideration in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament, for a long time. It was eventually passed when the NSC and VVD decided to vote in favor.
Emergency services and municipalities have been pleading for this ban for a while. Police officers, firefighters, and ambulance workers have been struck by fireworks regularly in previous years. For this reason, the organizations are hoping that the law will come into effect immediately. The BOA Union previously said it feared “another year of hassle and trouble.”
The law was initiated by MPs Jesse Klaver of GroenLinks-PvdA and Esther Ouwehand of the Partij voor de Dieren. “We’re absolutely thrilled that the fireworks ban is now a reality. This is fantastic news for both animals and people,” said Ouwehand. “We fought hard for this, even since our party was founded over 20 years ago. Here’s to a joyful New Year’s celebration for everyone.”
Klaver also spoke about his happiness regarding the passing of the law. “Five years ago, Esther Ouwehand and I started working on the law Safe New Year’s. Today. The Eerste Kamer agreed to a fireworks ban. An important step to make New Year’s Eve a party for everyone once again.”