# 2026-16111: PHMSA Lets Agencies Greenlight Pro Fireworks Explosives

2026-16111, Hazardous Materials: Allowing Fireworks Certification Agencies (FCAs) To Approve Professional Fireworks, is a Federal Register rule from Transportation Department, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration published 2026-08-07, effective 2026-09-08; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-08-14).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16111
- As of: 2026-08-14
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-16111
- Title: Hazardous Materials: Allowing Fireworks Certification Agencies (FCAs) To Approve Professional Fireworks
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 51098
- Published: 2026-08-07
- Effective: 2026-09-08
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 2137-AG19
- Last updated: 2026-08-14

## In one line

PHMSA Lets Agencies Greenlight Pro Fireworks Explosives

## Summary

This final rule expands the authority of a Fireworks Certification Agency (FCA) to obtain the ability to approve fireworks constructed to certain requirements. These amendments will streamline PHMSA's fireworks approval process and provide the industry with improved regulatory flexibility.

## Effects PRIA read

- FCAs Can Certify Display and EI&T Fireworks: benefit, medium. Starting September 8, 2026, Fireworks Certification Agencies (FCAs) approved under 49 CFR 107.402 may obtain authority to certify fireworks built to the APA 87-1B (display fireworks) and APA 87-1C (entertainment industry and technical pyrotechnics) standards in addition to APA 87-1A. PHMSA says thi…
- Five-Year Certification Record Requirement: cost, low. If you manufacture or import fireworks, you must keep a paper or electronic copy of the FCA certification showing the unique identifier and the certifying FCA for five (5) years at or through your principal place of business and make it available to PHMSA on request. The rule requires these records…
- New FCA Application and Independence Rules: cost, low. Entities applying to be a DOT-approved Fireworks Certification Agency must meet new application rules: be a U.S. resident or have a U.S. agent, employ qualified personnel (experience or degrees in relevant fields), show facility addresses, provide written operating procedures, disclose anyone with…
- Thermal Stability Test Requirement for Devices: cost, medium. To be certified, a firework, pyrotechnic device, or fuse must pass a thermal stability test by being held at 75 °C (167 °F) for 48 consecutive hours; components that could contact each other must be placed in contact during the test. Test results must be included in the manufacturer's application t…
- Limit on FCA Approval for Certain Professional Classification: cost, low. Under the final rule, FCAs may only authorize UN0431 (Articles, pyrotechnic for technical purposes) under APA 87-1C; FCAs are not authorized to issue approvals that classify articles as "UN0336, Fireworks, 1.4G" for professional-use-only classification under APA 87-1C. Manufacturers seeking that UN…

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## Sources
- [2026-16111 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/07/2026-16111/hazardous-materials-allowing-fireworks-certification-agencies-fcas-to-approve-professional-fireworks)
- [2026-16111 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-07/pdf/2026-16111.pdf)

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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16111 (as of 2026-08-14).