YEREVAN. – In Armenia, there is no oversight of the sale and use of pyrotechnic devices, though inspection bodies must do so. Armen Poghosyan, Chairman of the “Association of Consumers of Armenia” NGO, said this at a December 4 press conference.

According to him, these bodies should not only monitor the activities of economic entities, but also prevent respective violations and incidents.

"The fact that the problem still exists [in Armenia] is a result of the deficiencies in the work of the inspection bodies, which were formed by semi-partisan methods," he said.

Poghosyan reminded that there is a fine in the amount of AMD 100-150 thousand for violations of the sale and use of pyrotechnic devices, but that is not a big money for the institutions where they are used more often.

"Oversight of the requirements falls within the functions of the relevant state agencies, which should monitor and instruct the relevant institutions," he added.

Poghosyan stressed that it is also necessary to change the methods of police work in such cases.

"When people telephone making complaints about the use of pyrotechnic devices, in response they hear a request to indicate the exact address, although it is sometimes impossible to do so," the expert concluded.