Mr. Joel R. Anderson and the founding of the American Fireworks Standards Laboratory

On March 21, 1989, articles of incorporation were filed in Florence, Alabama, for an organization initially known as the National Fireworks Counsel and later renamed the American Fireworks Standards Laboratory (AFSL). The incorporation of AFSL was the culmination of an intensive effort by members of the fireworks industry to find a solution to the problem of noncompliant fireworks being imported from China.

Spearheading the effort was Joel Anderson, of American Promotional Events, Inc dba TNT Fireworks, who recruited members of the industry and a representative from the CPSC to work with the China fireworks industry to resolve the problem. 

This team of volunteers included Alan Zoldan and Jerry Bostocky from BJ Alan Co; Dr. John Conkling, Executive Director of the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA); Chi-Kay Cheung representing the Hong Kong Pyrotechnics Association; and John Rogers, CPSC Compliance Officer responsible for enforcement of the CPSC fireworks regulations. In August 1988 the team, dubbed the “Shekou Six,” spent 10 days at the Nanhai Hotel in Shekou, Shenzhen, China, testing fireworks devices from numerous factories and providing guidance on product modifications needed to bring the product into compliance with the CPSC regulations. Lest we forget, we would be remiss in not mentioning the important contributions of Sam Lau and Joe Wan in facilitating the many meetings while contributing on behalf of the Hong Kong exporters.

Foresight, vision, persuasion led to a permanent AFSL

While the initial operation was a success, Anderson was not convinced the problem was solved. CPSC was threatening to ban all consumer fireworks if the industry did not demonstrate the ability, and willingness, to consistently meet all CPSC fireworks regulations. Joel Anderson had the foresight to understand a more permanent organization was needed to monitor the products produced by the China fireworks factories if the industry was going to ensure compliance. This, he believed, was critical to the survival of the industry.

Persuading the industry that the AFSL was needed to ensure the safety of the American consumer and the survival of the industry was not easy. Anderson spent months meeting with the industry in the U.S. and China, persuading companies to join the AFSL and convincing China government officials to allow AFSL to organize in China. Anderson then organized volunteers to develop a set of fireworks safety standards, consisting of the U.S. regulations for fireworks along with new provisions to mitigate the risk of potential hazards that were not addressed by the Federal regulations.

All of the time and effort Anderson spent on this endeavor culminated in 1994 when the AFSL, in partnership with Intertek Testing Services (ITS), created a product evaluation and certification program to confirm that firework devices produced in China, and destined for export to the U.S., complied with all applicable U.S. requirements. For the next 26 years, Anderson would continue to support the mission of the AFSL, serving on its Board of Directors and representing the organization before the industry and federal regulators, when needed. 

Anderson died in 2020 but the lasting impact he made when forming the AFSL has changed the fireworks industry for the better.

Fireworks Industry Safety Award established in his honor

In honor of  Anderson, the AFSL established a fireworks industry safety award to recognize individuals and groups of people who have contributed in an important way to advancing the mission of AFSL by directly and significantly reducing the unreasonable risk of injury or death from fireworks. The award is presented annually, provided there is an individual or group found worthy of the award.

“Those standards we impose upon ourselves are not easy, nor cheap, to comply with; it’s expensive…it’s difficult…but it’s necessary. It is our highest priority to prevent injuries and deaths from fireworks of all kinds.”

Joel Anderson