Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Explosives
The ‘Placing on the Market and Supervision of Transfers of Explosives Regulations 1993’, or POMSTER, implement in Great Britain, EC Directive 93/15/EEC on the Harmonisation of the Provisions Relating to the Placing on the Market and Supervision of Explosives for Civil Uses Directive (the 'Civil Uses' Directive).
The transfer controls in POMSTER apply to the physical movement of explosives to any place in GB or offshore - whether import, export, or movements that are purely internal and domestic. Existing security controls on the acquisition and keeping of explosives, in the Control of Explosives Regulations 1991 are supplemented but not replaced by POMSTER.
Before the transfer of any "civil use" explosive can take place, the consignee must obtain the written approval of the Competent Authority for the country where the transfer will end. The approval documents (known as Recipient Competent Authority Approval documents, or RCAs for short) are issued in GB by HSE’s Explosives Policy Section:
(for more information about RCA documents and how to apply for one see “Advice for Transfers within Great Britain”)
The CE marking is the marking which a manufacturer can affix to an explosive covered by POMSTER if it has been approved by a body or organisation in the UK or other EC Member State, notified to the EC under the 'Civil Uses Directive' (hence, 'Notified Body') for testing compliance with the Directive's safety requirements.
Approval can be given only if the appropriate safety requirements and other provisions have been met. Subject to meeting the transfer controls of POMSTER and any export licensing requirements, explosives bearing CE marking can be freely marketed throughout the European Economic Community (EEC).
Until 31 December 2002, explosives covered by POMSTER can be marketed freely throughout the EEC if they have been authorised by HSE and included in the 'List of classified and authorised explosives' - although manufacturers can choose to meet the CE marking requirements of POMSTER instead. From 1 January 2003, manufacturers will have to meet CE marking requirements.