Ammonium nitrate with high nitrogen content

The Ammonium Nitrate Materials (High Nitrogen Content) Safety Regulations 2003 prohibit the importation and supply of relevant ammonium nitrate with more than 28% nitrogen without a supporting Resistance to Detonation certificate.

'Relevant ammonium nitrate material' is defined as:

• Ammonium nitrate in solid form, where its nitrogen content is more than 28% of its weight
• Material in solid form, comprising a mixture of components, one of which is ammonium nitrate, in circumstances where the nitrogen content derived from ammonium nitrate is more than 28% of the material by weight

Exceptions

There are certain exceptions to this prohibition for users of technical grade ammonium nitrate.

The regulations permit the storage of technical grade ammonium nitrate to make an explosive on site. With this exception, this material can only be imported, stored and kept under an exemption certificate from HSE.

For further information please see Guidance on the exemptions to the Ammonium Nitrate regulations for non-agricultural purposes.

Who enforces these Regulations?

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is the enforcing authority for these Regulations.