AIDICO has embarked on a project to set up the Laboratory for Tests to Certify Pyrotechnic Products and for R&D&i, which will provide a service to the pyrotechnic sector concerning issues on legislation and research.

The Product Certification Laboratory in the Pyrotechnic Technical Unit will cover the following tests:

- STANDARD CERTIFICATION TESTS for CATALOGUING class IV and above pyrotechnic devices. The coverage of services will include the following series of tests:

• Safety in handling pyrotechnic devices.
• Safety in functioning of pyrotechnic devices in view of transport requests.
• “Shrapnel” scatter.
• Stability to heat.
• Firing time in pyrotechnic devices.

Standard certification of pyrotechnic articles will be complemented with certificates of process and compliance with the standard (workshop audits). At present, AIDICO is accredited as a Control Body having Accreditation Nº: OC-C/0196.

- STANDARD CERTIFICATION TESTS for CE MARKING of pyrotechnic devices. This will cover tests to assess compliance with the essential safety requirements for granting pyrotechnic devices the CE Marking, in accordance with the harmonized standards published by CEN in 2010 and 2013

- TIME-PRESSURE TESTS for series 2. c) i) from the UN Test and Criteria Manual for
classifying explosives, characterization of detonation/flash compositions

The R&D&i laboratory, which is part of the Pyrotechnic Technical Unit, will also provide the necessary support for product certification activities, as well as for the different research lines that are open. The available techniques are:

• X-Ray Diffractometry.
• Scanning Electron Microscopy.
• Differential Scanning Calorimetry.
• Thermogravimetric analysis.
• Carbon analysis.

All of this is to provide a response to the clear need for technology support in the pyrotechnic sector in Valencia and, consequently, throughout Spain.