The Construction Technology Institute (AIDICO) is to extend its services to the pyrotechnic sector in order to support innovation and technological development in a sector which has strong roots in the Region of Valencia.

AIDICO has carried out several actions during 2008:

Participation in the European Committee for Standardization CEN TC 212, a body in charge of carrying out new legislation for use of pyrotechnic articles. Co-ordination of Spanish working subgroup SGT 6.3.5: Pyrotechnic articles for technical use.

Development of a specific training programme for the next few years, which actually got underway in 2008. The training programme has been readily welcomed by members of the pyrotechnics sector: over 40 companies have benefited from the actions carried out:

• Technical conference on CE marking of pyrotechnic devices.
• Basic course on general issues for workers in pyrotechnic workshops.

In a similar fashion, AIDICO has drawn up a preliminary draft as a prelude to setting in motion the test and R&D&I laboratory, which will provide the sector with a service on legislative and research matters.

Research activity for supporting the sector has already begun with the opening up of a line of research into expiry dates of pyrotechnic devices.