ISO 22863-16:2025

Overview

ISO 22863-16:2025 - Fireworks - Test methods for determination of specific chemical substances - Part 16: Procedure for identification of report or burst charge defines a standardized laboratory procedure to identify the type of report (bang) or burst charge used in consumer and display fireworks. Published as the first edition in 2025 by ISO/TC 264, this standard helps determine whether a charge is a perchlorate/metal, nitrate/metal, black powder, or another pyrotechnic composition through staged qualitative testing.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope: Specifies the identification procedure for report or burst charges in fireworks; part of the ISO 22863 series on chemical test methods for pyrotechnics.
• Referenced methods: Uses results from related parts of ISO 22863 for targeted tests:
  • ISO 22863-1 (generalities)
  • ISO 22863-7 (chlorates by titration)
  • ISO 22863-13 (qualitative metal detection)
  • ISO 22863-14 (qualitative perchlorate detection)
  • ISO 22863-15 (qualitative nitrate detection)
  • ISO 25947-1 (terminology)
• Identification logic: A decision flow (Figure 1) directs the analyst to check for metals, perchlorates and nitrates in sequence to classify:
  • Perchlorate/metal compositions (metals + perchlorates)
  • Nitrate/metal compositions (metals + nitrates, no other oxidants)
  • Black powder / other (nitrates only and no active metal)
• Sample preparation:
  • Disassembly per ISO 22863-1 and isolation of the report or burst composition.
  • For mixed components, sieve the material on a 35 mesh analytical sieve and collect the screened material for testing.
• Qualitative identification:
  • Follow the Figure 1 flowchart and perform separate qualitative tests for perchlorates, nitrates and metals using fresh subsamples for each assay.
• Test report requirements: Laboratory name/address, date, reference to ISO 22863-16:2025, sample description, identification methods used, results and any anomalies observed.

Applications and users

This standard is intended for:

• Independent testing laboratories performing fireworks chemical characterization
• Fireworks manufacturers and quality control teams verifying composition types
• Regulatory authorities and customs assessing compliance and potential hazards
• Event safety specialists and forensic analysts investigating incidents involving pyrotechnics

Practical uses include classification of charges for safety labeling, compliance verification, risk assessment, and support for regulatory enforcement.

Related standards

• ISO 22863 series (Parts 1, 7, 13–15)
• ISO 25947-1 (pyrotechnic terminology)

Keywords: ISO 22863-16:2025, fireworks test methods, identification of report charge, burst charge, perchlorate/metal, nitrate/metal, sample preparation, qualitative analysis, pyrotechnic composition, laboratory report.