ADVICE FOR THE DISPOSAL OF TIME EXPIRED PYROTECHNICS (TEPs) FROM 1 APRIL 2010

From 1 April 2010 the process for depositing time expired pyrotechnics (TEPs) with HM Coastguard will change.  Following legislative changes in 2005 covering the transport and storage of explosives, the number of HM Coastguard sites which are able to accept TEPs has been reduced to 17 licensed locations. The RNLI also have one facility that is licensed to accept TEPs. Other HM Coastguard facilities will not be able to accept out of date flares.

If you wish to handover TEPs, like old distress flares, to HM Coastguard you must contact your local Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) to make an appointment to arrange handover. Contact details for your local MRCC can be found at Annex A.

In some cases where a TEP has deteriorated and is considered to be in a dangerous condition, the MRCC will arrange for its immediate disposal, but this will be at the discretion of the MRCC and subject to the condition of the TEP. It should be noted that pyrotechnics are manufactured to very high standard, but incorrect storage and handling of a pyrotechnic may affect its stability over a period of time.

• DO NOT turn up at an MRCC or other Coastguard location on speculation that we will take your pyrotechnics. From 1 April 2010, only 17 HM Coastguard and 1 RNLI locations will have the facilities to accept TEPs; all other HM Coastguard sites will not have facilities to accept TEPs and you will be turned away.
• DO NOT anonymously deposit large quantities of TEPs at any HM Coastguard Sector Base, Coastguard Rescue Equipment Stores, RNLI Lifeboat Houses or Police Stations. Many of these locations maybe unmanned and the depositing of potentially dangerous TEPs is a safety hazard and is illegal. Irresponsibly discarded TEPs could potentially result in serious or fatal injury.
• DO NOT put TEPs in general household rubbish or public litter bins where they could cause extensive damage to refuse collection facilities and could potentially result in serious or fatal injury.

Under NO circumstances will HM Coastguard collect or accept TEPs from commercial organisations. Commercial organisations must make their own arrangements for the collection and disposal of their TEPs.

It is important to note the following Regulations and Guidance:

• It is an offence to fire distress-signal pyrotechnics on land, in harbour or at sea for either testing purposes, practice or as fireworks (whether the pyrotechnics are out of date or not).
• It is an offence to dump pyrotechnics at sea.
• Out of date pyrotechnics should be landed ashore as soon as possible after the date of expiry for safe disposal.
• Damaged or out of date pyrotechnics should not be used.

Please Click Here to download a copy of the MCA information leaflet on this subject (PDF 529 KB).

Annex A

CONTACT DETAILS FOR LICENSED TIME EXPIRED PYROTECHNICS DISPOSAL SITES