Explosives Registration

The Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005

New explosives regulations

In April 2005 new regulations relating to the storage of explosives were introduced.  The new regulations refer to the net explosive quantity (NEQ) rather than gross weight.  That is, the actual weight of the explosives without the weight of the packaging.

Existing licences or registrations to store explosives will be valid until their renewal date.  If you need to renew a licence or registration, or if you are applying to store explosives for the first time, the following details apply.

Amounts that don't need to be registered or licenced

If you store less than 5kg of explosives that don't require an explosives certificate, or less than 20kg of small arms ammunition, then you don't need to be registered or licenced.

Storing between 5kg and 2000kg of explosives

Apply to Cumbria Trading Standards (see contact details below) for a licence or registration if you store between 5kg and 2000kg of other explosives, including:-

• fireworks
• small arms ammunition
• air bag inflators 

Whether you apply for a licence or a registration depends on the amount of explosives that you store.

You will need to apply for a registration if you store:

between 5kg and 30kg of any type of explosives if this includes hazard type 1 and 2 explosives

between 5kg and 100kg of hazard type 3 explosives

between 5kg and 100kg of a combination of hazard type 3 and hazard type 4 explosives

between 5kg and 250kg of hazard type 4 explosives or 250kg of small arms ammunition and percussion caps, and 30kg of shooter's powder

Registration Application Form to download (PDF) 104KB

You must apply for a licence if you store:

• between 30kg and 2000kg of explosives if this includes hazard type 1 and 2 explosives
• between 100kg and 2000kg  of hazard type 3 explosives
• between 100kg and 2000kg of a combination of hazard type 3 and hazard type 4 explosives
• between 250kg and 2000kg of hazard type 4 explosives, or 250kg and 2000kg of small arms ammunition and percussion caps, or 30kg and 2000kg of shooter's powder.   

Storage Licence Application Form to download (PDF) 102KB

There are four hazard types of explosives - 1 is the most hazardous and 4 is the least hazardous.  The majority of retail fireworks are classed as hazard type 4.  The hazard type of an explosive will be listed on manufacturers' or suppliers' information.

Fees

Annual renewal of registration     £36

New registration                        £72

Annual renewal of licence          £77

New licence                             £120

The above-mentioned Registration/Licence will allow you to sell fireworks during certain times of the year only.  These are:

• from 15 October to 10 November inclusive
• on the day of Divali and the three days before
• on the first day of the Chinese New Year  and 3 days before
• from 26 to 31 December inclusive  

If you wish to sell fireworks all through the year you will need to apply for a separate 'Fireworks Licence' which costs £500.  This mus be renewed annually.  To apply for this licence please contact Trading Standards.

Storing more than 2000kg of explosives, or in mines and harbour areas.

You must apply for a licence from the Health and Safety Executive if you:

• store more than 200kg of explosives, or
• store explosives at mines or harbour areas  

For more details visit the Health and Safety Executive website. 

Explosives requiring a licence from the Police

You must apply for a licence from the Police if you store:

• smokeless powder
• blasting explosives
• black powder
• anything else requiring an explosives certificate