Identification and Traceability of Explosives Regulations 2013 (ITOER 2013)

The Identification and Traceability of Explosives Regulations 2013 (ITOER 2013) will come into effect from 5 April 2013. ITOER 2013 will consolidate ITOER 2010 and ITOE(A)R 2012 and complete transposition of Directive 2012/4/EU.

ITOER 2013 sets out a system for the identification and traceability of explosives intended for civil use. Similar Regulations have been introduced across Europe to enable identification and traceability of explosives at every point in the supply chain. This followed security issues raised by the Madrid train bombings in 2004, which killed 191 people, and injured over 1800 others. 

ITOER 2013 applies to all civil use explosives, covered by Directive 93/15/EC, manufactured or imported after 5 April 2013.

Marking requirements come into force from 5 April 2013 and record keeping requirements from 5 April 2015.

ITOER 2013 does not apply to civil use explosives manufactured or imported before 5 April 2013 which can be placed on the market and transported throughout the EU provided that all other requirements of Directive 93/15/EC are met.

The following civil use explosives are out of scope of ITOER 2013:

• Fuses, including safety fuses, and cap-type primers
• Pyrotechnic articles, for example flares or fireworks
• Explosives transported and delivered unpackaged or in pump trucks for their direct loading into a blast hole;
• Explosives manufactured at the blasting sites, and that are loaded immediately after being produced (in situ production).
• Ammunition (the acquisition of which is regulated or prohibited by the Firearms Act 1968 to 1997) or in Northern Ireland, by the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004.
• Explosives intended for use by the military or the Police.

Legal Background

Technical requirements

Record keeping requirements

Applying For A Site Identification Code

FAQs