For the coming New Year’s celebrations, no neighbourhood or village association in the Brabant municipalities of Geertruidenberg, Laarbeek and Gemert-Bakel applied for an exemption from the national fireworks ban before the deadline. The municipalities had made exemptions possible for local initiatives, subject to requirements including a safety plan, supervision, insurance and responsible handling by adults.

As a result, no legal exemption has been granted in those municipalities. Several municipalities had earlier opted for a general fireworks ban, citing a lack of enforcement officers and police capacity, as well as the additional practical and legal work required to assess exemptions. Some said they might reconsider the arrangements after the next New Year’s celebrations.