These Regulations make new provision for licensing the manufacture and storage of explosives and for registration in respect of the storage of explosives. As such, they repeal a large number of provisions contained in the Explosives Act 1875 and instruments made under it, which provided the framework for the regulatory regime in relation to the manufacture and storage of explosives. These Regulations, in repealing much of the existing legislation and replacing it with new regulatory regime, are intended to maintain and improve standards of safety at explosives sites. The new provision made by these Regulations takes account of changes in technology and the economy. The Regulations are supported by an Approved Code of Practice, which also consolidates existing guidance into a single document.
The Regulations also seek to preserve the strengths of the existing legislative framework for the regulation of the manufacture and storage of explosives. This framework has ensured that explosives facilities are appropriately located and that the risk of explosion is properly controlled. In certain cases the Regulations increase the distances that must be maintained around explosives stores. This takes account of new knowledge on explosion effects.
