The closer we get to Lunar New Year, the more complicated the illegal storage, transportation and trading of fireworks becomes. To prevent this situation, in addition to the drastic intervention of the authorities, each citizen needs to raise awareness of law enforcement and say “no” to illegal fireworks. When needed, use legal (non-explosive) fireworks products.
In recent days, as the Lunar New Year 2024 is getting closer, special fireworks, flower fireworks, pellet fireworks, and flashing fireworks are being sold more and more on the online market.
Just searching on Facebook with the keywords "buy fireworks", "fireworks of the Ministry of Defense", "spraying rig"... will bring up many different personal accounts and buying and selling groups on social networks, attracting thousands of followers with hundreds of comments, shares, transactions, and purchases.
Currently, pellet fireworks cost about 230,000 - 350,000 VND/set, flower fireworks cost about 400,000 VND/set...
In the Fireworks Tet 2024 group, many accounts regularly post images of fireworks with prices for many different types and models. However, these posts do not provide the name of the unit, store, or specific address for purchase and sale. Transactions are only made via phone number or private message.
Buyers just need to call or text the advertised phone number, can immediately order the product, then receive the product through current shipping channels.
However, according to regulations, individuals can only buy and use fireworks through agents in 56 provinces and cities nationwide and stores of Chemical Company 21 (Factory Z121) and the Defense Industry Economic and Technical Corporation (GAET) under the Ministry of National Defense.
Responding to VTC News about the sale of fireworks on social media platforms, Lawyer Dang Van Cuong, Head of Chinh Phap Law Office, Hanoi Bar Association, said: "Organizations and individuals selling fireworks from Z121 factory on social media without permission from competent state agencies are not in accordance with the provisions of the law."
Mr. Cuong added that businesses licensed to buy and sell fireworks produced by factory Z121 must comply with safety regulations.
Currently, the law does not prohibit these businesses from advertising sales on e-commerce platforms and social networking platforms, so licensed businesses are allowed to advertise on electronic platforms.
As for organizations and individuals that are not licensed to sell this type of fireworks, they are not allowed to advertise or sell fireworks on the internet.
In cases where organizations and individuals arbitrarily advertise, introduce, or sell firecrackers or explosive fireworks, or schools sell fireworks without permission from competent authorities, this is a violation of the law.
Depending on the nature and severity of the violation and the consequences, the person committing this violation will be subject to administrative sanctions or criminal prosecution.
According to the provisions of Clause 2, Article 14 of Decree 137, fireworks business must ensure the following conditions:
- Only organizations and enterprises under the Ministry of National Defense are allowed to trade in fireworks and must be granted a Certificate of eligibility for security and order by a competent police agency; ensure conditions for fire prevention, fire fighting, incident prevention and response, and environmental protection;
- Warehouses, means of transport, equipment and tools serving the fireworks business must be suitable and ensure conditions for storage, transportation, fire prevention and fighting;
- Managers and service personnel involved in fireworks business must be trained in safety techniques;
- Only fireworks that meet technical standards and regulations are allowed to be traded.
The licensing of organizations and individuals to buy, sell and transport fireworks is carried out according to the provisions of Article 16 of Decree 137. Only organizations and individuals that meet the conditions prescribed by law and submit documents and procedures approved by competent state agencies are allowed to buy and sell this type of fireworks.
CONG HIEU – VTC News
