Pyrotechnic articles and ammunition

EC Directive 2004/57: Explosive articles that are not within the scope of the Placing on the Market and Supervision of Transfers of Explosives Regulations 1993

Pyrotechnic articles (but not substances), as well as articles for use by the police and armed forces, are excluded from the scope of the Directive on explosives for civil uses (Directive 93/15). In addition, ammunition is excluded from Articles 2–9 of the Directive, which concern CE marking and the issue of Recipient Competent Authority documents.

This guidance follows from the adoption of EC Directive 2004/57 and sets out:

• those articles that are considered to be pyrotechnic articles. These are excluded from the scope of the regulations by regulation 3(2)(c)
• those articles where it will be necessary for the Notified Body to consider on a case-by-case basis whether the articles are pyrotechnic articles and therefore whether the regulations still apply;
• those articles that are considered to be ammunition. These articles are excluded from the scope of the regulations by regulation 3(2)(a)
• those articles that are considered to be for use by the police or armed forces. These articles are excluded from the regulations by regulation 3(2)(b)

It should be noted that the lists of ammunition and articles for use by the police and armed forces are not exhaustive.

The advice on this web page supersedes Appendix 4 of the Guide to the Placing on the Market and Supervision of Transfers of Explosives Regulations 1993.

Articles requiring a determination by the Notified Body

Ammunition

The following items are ammunition and are excluded from the Regulations. It should be noted that while they are excluded from the 1993 Directive’s requirements on CE marking and recipient competent authority documents other articles will still apply.

Articles for use by the police or armed forces

The following articles are regarded as explosives for use by the police or armed forces and are thus excluded from scope of the Regulations (and from the scope of the 1993 Directive).

Issued May 2005