The Chinese government is set to fully implement mandatory national standards covering the entire spectrum of firework manufacturing and distribution to prevent casualties. This measure aims to minimize safety accidents stemming from traditional customs by strictly controlling everything from the explosive content of fireworks to their launch trajectories. The global market is closely watching the impact of China's strengthened regulations, as the world's largest firework producer, on supply chains and safety standards.

The custom of setting off fireworks in China during holidays and auspicious occasions to ward off evil spirits and invite good fortune has a long history. However, this tradition has annually been a cause of safety accidents, leading to large-scale casualties and property damage. In particular, recent major explosion incidents have become a decisive catalyst for Chinese authorities to tighten regulations across the entire firework industry. The Chinese government plans to ensure public safety by integrating existing fragmented regulations and enforcing new mandatory national standards.

▲ Mandatory Implementation of National Standard GB Due to Surging Firework Safety Accidents

Chinese authorities will officially implement the mandatory national standard, 'Safety and Quality of Fireworks and Firecrackers,' starting from the first day of next month. This regulation is the result of a major integration and revision of existing standards established in 2013. In China, the mandatory national standard GB holds a similar status to South Korea's national standard KS mark, and products that do not comply with it are strictly prohibited from production and distribution. Local media, including China Central Television, have indicated that this measure will be a powerful means of control with legal binding force, going beyond mere guidelines.

The core of the new standard lies in precise restrictions on the physical structure and chemical composition of fireworks. Specifically, it numerically specifies the overall length of fireworks, the diameter of the launch tube, and even the thickness of the tube to prevent the possibility of explosions due to structural defects. Furthermore, design standards have been strengthened to suppress noise levels below a certain decibel and to ensure that the flight trajectory of fireworks after launch does not deviate beyond a specific range. This is interpreted as a measure to prevent fire accidents occurring in densely populated urban areas.

▲ Effectiveness of Explosive Content Limits and Stricter Regulations on Personal Use

The most notable aspect of this regulation is the strict limitation on the explosive content included in personal fireworks. The intention is to reduce the risk of products used by the general public, unlike professional fireworks for large-scale events. The State Council's Safety Committee has decided to launch a special campaign for the next year in conjunction with the implementation of the regulation. During this period, authorities will conduct intensive crackdowns focusing on illegal manufacturing facilities, unlicensed businesses, and areas where accidents frequently occur.

Behind these stringent measures lies data on tragic casualties. During this year's Spring Festival, an explosion at a firework vendor in Hubei Province claimed 12 lives, and a similar accident in Jiangsu Province resulted in 8 deaths and numerous injuries. According to a Reuters report, firework-related accidents in China are concentrated during holiday periods each year, placing an immense burden on public healthcare systems and fire resources. Bloomberg analyzed that the Chinese government's current action prioritizes the protection of citizens' right to life over the preservation of traditional culture.

▲ Outlook for Changes in Global Firework Market Supply Chains and Manufacturing Standards

China is the largest manufacturer and exporter of fireworks, accounting for over 90% of global production. Therefore, the strengthening of China's national standards is expected to not only affect domestic issues but also lead to an upward harmonization of manufacturing standards across the entire global firework market. The Financial Times predicted that while China's stricter regulations might lead to increased production costs, the market would eventually be restructured around high-quality products that meet international safety certification standards.

Experts also suggest that the implementation of these GB regulations could stimulate technological innovation in the firework industry. As laser and drone-based fireworks emerge as alternatives to gunpowder, traditional firework manufacturers are expected to accelerate the development of low-risk explosives and the adoption of precision manufacturing processes to meet enhanced safety standards. Ultimately, China's current measures are seen as a landmark in the evolution of traditional customs, compromising with modern society's safety values.