Applying for a Site Identification Code
Explosives: update
The UK has left the EU, and some rules and procedures have changed from 1 January 2021.
Who a dutyholder /manufacturer should apply to for a site code will depend on:
- where the explosives are manufactured
- where the dutyholder is established
- where the place of import into the United Kingdom is
| Where the civil explosives are manufactured | Who applies | Who to apply to for a site code |
|---|---|---|
| Great Britain | Manufacturer | HSE |
| Northern Ireland | Manufacturer | NIO |
| EEA state | Manufacturer | The national authority of that state. The United Kingdom unilaterally recognises any site codes issued by EEA states and Switzerland. |
| Outside the EEA by a manufacturer established in Great Britain and the place of import of the civil explosives into the United Kingdom is Great Britain. | Manufacturer | HSE |
| Outside the EEA by a manufacturer who is established in Great Britain and the place of import of the civil explosives into the United Kingdom is Northern Ireland. | Manufacturer | HSE |
| Outside the EEA by a manufacturer established in Northern Ireland and the place of import of the civil explosives into the United Kingdom is Great Britain. | Manufacturer | NIO |
| Outside the EEA by a manufacturer established in Northern Ireland and the place of import of the civil explosives into the United Kingdom is Northern Ireland. | Manufacturer | NIO |
| Outside the EEA by a manufacturer who is not established in the United Kingdom and the place of import of the civil explosives into the United Kingdom is Great Britain. | Importer | HSE |
| Outside the EEA by a manufacturer who is not established in the United Kingdom and the place of import of the civil explosives into the United Kingdom is Northern Ireland. | Importer | NIO |
Exceptions to the requirement for a site code
A site code is not required for civil explosives that are:
- transported and delivered without packaging or in a mobile explosives manufacturing unit for its direct unloading into the blast-hole
- fuses, which are cord-like non-detonating igniting devices
- safety fuses, which consist of a core of fine grained black powder surrounded by a flexible woven fabric with one or more protective outer coverings and which, when ignited, burn at a predetermined rate without any external explosive effect
- cap-type primers, which consist of a metal or plastic cap containing a small amount of primary explosive mixture that is readily ignited by impact and which serve as igniting elements in small arms cartridges or in percussion primers for propelling charges
How to obtain a site identification code from HSE
Applications for a site identification code should be made to HSE on the application form. Completed forms should be emailed to [email protected].
Once this information has been received, HSE will issue the unique alphanumeric site identification code by email to the applicant.