Control of Explosives Regulations 1991
These regulations:
- Require a person who acquires or keeps explosives, including occupiers of licensed factories and magazines and most Government and other official bodies, to hold an explosives certificate issued by the Chief Officer of Police.
- Impose restrictions on persons involved in the transfer of explosives.
- Forbid a person who has committed certain offences or who has been sentenced to specific terms of imprisonment, custody or detention, from acquiring, keeping, handling or controlling explosives or any restricted substance.
- Forbid an employer from knowingly employing a prohibited person in a position where he handles or has control of explosives or any restricted substance.
- Restrict the types and quantities of explosives which may be kept for private use and not for sale.
- Require occupiers of licensed explosive factories and magazines to appoint one person responsible for security of explosives.
- Require a person who acquires possession of, or keeps explosives, to make and maintain an up-to-date record containing specific information.
- This does not apply to private use in general. Impose requirements for reporting the loss of explosives, including theft, to the police.
In respect of Explosives Licensing, there are two types of certificate:
- Acquire only - This is issued to permit a person or company, to obtain explosives which are to be used straight away, and not kept overnight.
- Acquire and keep - This is issued to allow a person or company to obtain explosives and keep them in an approved storage place.
The main users of explosives, and therefore those who require licensing, are:
- Sporting / social use - This may seem an unusual term to use, but it does suitably describe persons using gunpowder for shooting purposes, such as muzzle-loading handguns and rifles, or events where re-enactments of historical battles involve the use of muzzle-loading muskets and cannon.
- Mines and quarries - These locations often use explosives to break up rock and displace large quantities of earth.
- Demolition - The quantities of explosive used on this type of operation vary, depending on the size, construction and location, of the building to be demolished.
Applying for an explosives licence
All applications must be submitted to the police using forms COER1 (.pdf, 2.4MB) and COER1A (.pdf, 1MB). Alternatively, these may be obtained by contacting the Firearms & Explosives Licensing Branch either by phone or email using contact details on this website.
Those who apply for the grant of an explosives certificate to acquire and keep will be visited by a Firearms Enquiry Officer in order to assess the application and give advice with regard to the secure storage of the explosives.
In the main, most applications will relate to the private/social use provision.
Please note that an acquire only certificate is only issued for a period of 12 months and that an acquire and keep certificate can be issued for a period up to three years.
There is no charge for this service, but we would ask that all renewal applications are submitted up to 30 days before the existing certificate expires.
Any answers to your questions, which have not been found here, can be found by contacting the Firearms & Explosives Licensing Branch on 01962 871071 or by email: firearms.licensing@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
