Explosives: Classification for transport

HSE has responsibility for the approval of classifications of non-military explosives in Great Britain.

Relevant legal requirements are contained in:

• The Classification and Labelling of Explosives Regulations 1983 (CLER) as amended. These are the consolidated regulations taking into account various revocations.

• The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2007

The regulations apply to all explosives (including fireworks and other pyrotechnic articles) manufactured or imported into Great Britain (separate parallel regulations apply in Northern Ireland.

The classification of explosive materials must be approved before they may be imported into Great Britain or transported within it. The purpose of classification is to identify the hazard posed by explosive substances and articles as packaged for transportation. It involves the assessment of an explosive to determine whether it is assigned to, or excluded from Class 1 of the UN classification scheme for the transportation of dangerous goods.

HSE issues a Competent Authority Document (CAD), which records the classification granted with reference to the requirements that the applicant has agreed to meet. HSE lists all classified explosives on the LOCEF database which can be found on the Explosives Web Community. You are required to register to access the community pages, but there is no cost attached.

Application Forms, Guidance Notes and Fees information is available from the forms page.