Explosives
Explosives are regulated under the Explosives Act 1875 and associated Explosives Regulations; see the General Guidance Notes - Explosives Legislation (PDF - 134KB) for details.
Explosives are strictly controlled and a person may not import, store or manufacture explosives without a licence. Transport and sale of explosives is also controlled by regulations.
Explosives include:
- commercial or industrial explosives (such as detonators, boosters, detonating cord, ANFO and cartridged explosives)
- propellants (such as shooter’s powder, black powder)
- pyrotechnics (such as marine distress flares, industrial pyrotechnic cartridges and fireworks)
Certain substances such as ammonium nitrate, sodium chlorate, potassium nitrate and sodium nitrate also come under the control of the explosives regulations, as they are deemed to be explosives for the purposes of the Act.
Use of explosives is not controlled by the Explosives Act, but is regulated by the Health and Safety Authority.