Manufacture and storage of explosives - licensing requirements

If you want to store or manufacture explosives you will need a licence or to register with your local licensing authority. This applies to a wide variety of substances and articles including:

• blasting explosives
• munitions
• ammunition and shooters' powders
• fireworks
• marine flares
• pyrotechnic articles
• car airbags and seatbelt pretensioners
• party poppers

Storage

There are a number of exemptions for the storage of small quantities and for temporary storage. For example there are allowances for storage of shooters' powders and for certain lower-risk pyrotechnic articles which include consumer fireworks and articles such as flares, fog signals, car airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners.

Licences and registrations

Registration is a simplified process designed for those wanting to store smaller quantities of explosive - for example most registrations are for shops selling fireworks during the firework season. You can store up to 250kg of the least hazardous types of firework - for more hazardous explosives (including more hazardous fireworks) the amount you can keep with a registration is reduced. For more information please follow this link. Please note that all quantities referred to are the net mass (weight) of explosive contained in the article - not the gross weight of the article itself.

Manufacture

A licence is required for most manufacturing activities. 'Manufacturing' includes processes where explosive articles or explosive substances are made or assembled, or unmade or disassembled. The term also includes the repair or modification of explosive articles and the reprocessing, modification or adaptation of explosive substances. It does not include packing, unpacking, repacking, labelling or testing explosives. Nor does it include dividing explosives into smaller storage containers.

Anyone wishing to manufacture explosives will need to apply to HSE for a licence. There are some exemptions to this such as exemptions for fusing of firework displays. For more information please click on the link.

Where to apply

This will depend on the quantity and type of explosive you want to store and where you live.

• If you wish to store two tonnes or more of explosive you will need a licence from HSE.
• If you wish to store up to two tonnes of an explosive that requires an explosives certificate (eg blasting explosive or black powder) you will need a licence or registration from your local police.
• If you live in the metropolitan counties, ie West Midlands, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Tyne and Wear, or South, and West Yorkshire you will need to apply to the fire and rescue service.
• In other areas you will normally need to contact the trading standards department of your local authority.

Please see the contacts page for contact information.

How to make an application

The first step is to contact the licensing authority. They will be happy to proxide an application form, alternatively you can download a form from the Forms page.

The amount of information needed for the application will depend on the type of registration or licence. For most licences the licensing authority will need to know:

• the name of the applicant;
• nature of the business;
• where you plan to keep the explosives;
• the type(s) and quantities of explosives to be kept

More extensive information will be required for applications to HSE for a licence for manufacturing or a larger store, where the licence will be subject to local authority assent.

Fees for applications

A fee will be payable before the licensing authority will consider an application. Information on current fee levels can be found on the fees page.

The process for considering licence applications

If the application is for a licence, the licensing authority will normally wish to visit the proposed store. The licensing authority may also wish to visit the storage place if the application is for a registration. In most cases where HSE is the licensing authority, once HSE has apporved the application, the applicant will then need to ask the local authority for its assent before HSE can grant the licence.

Can a local authority refuse an application?

An application can be refused, but normally only in exceptional circumstances. There are two circumstances when a licensing authority might refuse a licence:

• if it believes that the site of the proposed store is unsuitable on safety grounds. An obvious example would be someone wanting to store fireworks at a petrol station;
• if it has evidence that leads it to take the view that the applicant is not a fit person to store explosives.

There is a right of appeal to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

Licence/registration document

The licensing authority will issue a certificate which will in most cases set out:

• the name and address of the licensee/registered person
• the address of the store
• the amount and type of explosive that may be kept there

HSE licences may include more detailed information on, for example:

• the layout of the site
• construction of the buildings
• the use of the buildings (some buildings may be used for storage only, and some for manufacturing only).

Length of a licence or registration

Initial registrations and licences may be granted for any period not exceeding two years. Renewal registrations and licences may be granted for any period not exceeding one year. The exceptions to this are:

• licences from HSE for manufacturing or larger stores - these normally continue indefinitely;
• where the applicant already holds a firearms or explosives certificate, the licensing authority may set a renewal date so that the licence or registration comes up for renewal at the same time as the firearms or explosives certificate; and
• registrations and licences solely for the storage of smokeless powder which may be granted for any period not exceeding three years.

Revocation of registrations/licences

A registration or licence can be revoked, in exceptional circumstances.