How to identify genuine ‘green’ crackers approved for sale in Delhi-NCR?

Green crackers are OK, nothing else is. Therefore, knowing how to identify a genuine green cracker is probably the most important part of Diwali shopping in Delhi-NCR this year.

Each packet of firecrackers that you buy must have a verified QR code that identifies it as ‘green’. Anything without this QR code is illegal.

Also, you are allowed to burst these green crackers only between 6 am and 7 am, and between 8 pm and 10 pm on Chhoti Diwali (October 19) and Diwali (October 20).

Here’s what you need to know.

First, what are green crackers?

Green crackers are fireworks developed by the government’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI). They are made by reducing the size of the shells, eliminating ash, using fewer raw materials, and adding dust-suppressing additives.

The idea is to reduce emissions from firecrackers. These improvements result in at least a 30% reduction in particulate matter (PM) and a further 10% reduction in gaseous emissions, such as sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NO2), compared to traditional or conventional crackers.

There are two main categories of green crackers: improved crackers that modify existing formulations to cut emissions; and new formulation crackers that replace polluting ingredients altogether. Metals, which form part of particulate matter, are either minimized or eliminated to reduce toxicity.

Green crackers were developed after the Supreme Court banned conventional firecrackers in 2017. CSIR was approached to find a scientific alternative that would reduce emissions without completely restricting the industry, which supports more than 5 lakh workers and their families around the country.

In terms of chemical composition, how are green crackers different from the regular ones?

Conventional firecrackers use chemicals such as barium, sulphur, potassium nitrate, and aluminium, which produce bright colours and loud noises. They also release heavy metals and toxic gases into the air.

Green crackers, on the other hand, exclude barium compounds, and have drastically-reduced aluminium and sulphur content. They rely on cleaner oxidisers and formulations that limit the release of harmful particulates.

Green crackers are available in familiar forms such as flower pots (anaar), pencils, sparklers (phuljhadi), bombs, and chakkars, but with modified chemistry. Three types of green crackers have been developed – SWAS (Safe Water Releasable), STAR (Safe Thermite Cracker), and SAFAL (Safe Minimal Aluminium), which produce brightness and sound comparable to conventional firecrackers (around 100 to120 dB), while reducing particulate matter (PM), SO2, and NO2 emissions by at least 30 per cent.

In short, these crackers are designed to replicate the visual and sound performance of traditional fireworks with lower emissions.

How can customers identify genuine green crackers?

Genuine green crackers can be identified through two mandatory features introduced by CSIR-NEERI which include (i) the official Green Fireworks logo printed on the packaging, and (ii) a unique QR code that can be scanned using the ‘CSIR-NEERI Green QR Code’ mobile app.

Scanning the code provides details about the manufacturer, formulation, and NEERI certification status of the product.

Only crackers that have both the logo and the QR code are authorised for sale and use.

Who checks whether a cracker being sold is genuinely ‘green’?

The Delhi Police and officials from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) have formed patrolling teams that are being deployed to designated spots where sales are allowed.

In every district, the teams have been directed to inspect, verify QR codes and NEERI logos on cracker packets and seize any counterfeit products, and illegal products such as those containing banned elements like barium, and “lari” type ‘series’ fireworks.

The patrolling squads have already hit the ground – they were deployed on Thursday for random sampling and surprise checks.

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