Most municipalities report almost no applications for fireworks ban exemptions this year

A new Dutch law that took effect Monday formally bans consumers from buying, selling, possessing, or setting off heavier F2 fireworks. The measure, known as the Safe New Year’s Eve Act, includes a provision allowing municipalities to grant exemptions so neighborhood centers, associations, or similar groups can still organize displays. So far, municipalities have made little use of that option, and some have already said they will issue no exemptions this year.

A survey by NU.nl of municipalities that appear open to granting exemptions found most have received no applications. The municipality of Horst aan de Maas in North Limburg reported one pending request. Ede said it has heard expressions of interest from residents but has not yet opened an application process.

Many municipalities are still working out how to handle the new rules in a way that matches local needs. The municipality of Veere in Zeeland said it plans to talk with organizers once applications start arriving.

In Noardeast-Fryslân, spokesman Benjamin Smit told NU.nl that officials will first hold conversations with residents to gauge whether any demand for exemptions even exists. “Before we start inventing all kinds of things, we want to map out how our residents feel about it,” Smit said.

The Association of Netherlands Municipalities has issued guidance to help local governments weigh exemption requests. The guidance also addresses long-standing concerns about limited enforcement capacity and the short window available to process applications.

Those concerns have reportedly prompted several large cities, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Breda, to announce they will grant no exemptions for the coming New Year’s celebration. Kapelle and Zoetermeer have made the same decision. Mayors, however, are not required to publicize their choices.

Jeffrey Peters, spokesman for the Fireworks Enthusiasts Association, told NU.nl the low interest so far does not surprise him. The main obstacles, he said, are the strict requirements on organizations, locations, and quantities. In his view, the exemption system “has in this way become too high a barrier to offer a good alternative to the illegal market.”

Peters said illegal fireworks are already easier to obtain than usual at this time of year, and fireworks remain freely available in some neighboring countries. Peters added that he thinks the chance of being caught setting off illegal fireworks is small.

Where exemptions are possible, applicants such as clubs or associations must meet several conditions. They must show a connection to the proposed site, for example, through a foundation’s registered address. The applicant must be listed in the commercial register. No more than 200 kilograms of F2 fireworks—including rockets, cakes, compound boxes, and bang fireworks—may be set off.

The surroundings of the display site are also regulated. The mayor has the final say on whether a location is suitable and accessible to emergency services.