Definition
In Switzerland, the Explosives Act and its ordinance (OExpl) make the professional use of pyrotechnic devices subject to a personal use permit. The FWA permit (Feuerwerk A) authorises the firing of category F4 fireworks, i.e. large displays; the FWB permit (Feuerwerk B) covers stage and professional pyrotechnic devices of categories T2 and P2. Each is obtained after training and an examination organised under the authority of fedpol's Central Office for Explosives, and must be renewed periodically. The permit does not replace the firing authorisation, which lies with the canton or the municipality depending on cantonal law, nor the storage and transport rules (SDR, the Swiss equivalent of the ADR). Categories and marking are aligned with Directive 2013/29/EU even though Switzerland is not an EU member.
In practice, for the display company
Geneva, Lausanne or the 1 August celebrations are worth the trip, but the French F4-T2 certificate does not stand in for the FWA permit there. PyroDesk manages foreign titles on the pyrotechnician's record, warns if the supervisor assigned to a Swiss job holds none, and shows the cantonal and municipal steps for the venue.