The Classification and Labelling of Explosives Regulations 1983

Regulation 2(1)

SCHEDULE 1 THE DIVISIONS

1	2
Division	Division number
Substances and articles which have a mass explosion hazard.	1.1
Substances and articles which have a projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard.	1.2
Substances and articles which have a fire hazard and either a minor blast hazard or a minor projection hazard or both, but not a mass explosion hazard.	1.3
Substances and article which present no significant hazard.	1.4
Very insensitive substance which have a mass explosion hazard.	1.5

Regulation 2(1)

SCHEDULE 2 THE COMPATIBILITY GROUPS

1	2
Compatibility Group	Compatibility Group letter
Primary explosive substance.	A
Article containing a primary explosive substance and not containing two or more independent safety features.	B
Propellant explosive substance or other deflagrating explosive substance or article containing such explosive substance.	C
Secondary detonating explosive substance or black powder or article containing a secondary detonating explosive substance, in each case without means of initiation and without a propelling charge, or article containing a primary explosive substance and containing two or more independent safety features.	D
Article containing a secondary detonating explosive substance, without means of initiation and with a propelling charge (other than a charge containing a flammable or hypergolic liquid).	E
Article containing a secondary detonating explosive substance, with means of initiation, and either with a propelling charge (other than a charge containing a flammable or hypergolic liquid) or without a propelling charge.	F
A substance which is an explosive substance because it is designed to produce an effect by heat, light, sound, gas or smoke or a combination of these as a result of non-detonative self-sustaining exothermic chemical reactions or an article containing such a substance or an article containing both a substance which is explosive because it is capable by chemical reaction in itself of producing gas at such a temperature and pressure and at such a speed as could cause damage to surroundings and an illuminating, incendiary, lachrymatory or smoke-producing substance (other than a water-activated article or one containing white phosphorus, phosphide or a flammable liquid or gel).	G
Article containing both an explosive substance and white phosphorus.	H
Article containing both an explosive substance and a flammable liquid or gel.	J
Article containing both an explosive substance and a toxic chemical agent.	K
Explosive substance or explosive article presenting a special risk needing isolation of each type.	L
Substance or article so packed or designed that any hazardous effects arising from accidental functioning are confined within the package unless the package has been degraded by fire, in which case all blast or projection effects are limited to the extent that they do not significantly hinder or prohibit fire fighting or other emergency response efforts in the immediate vicinity of the package.	S

Regulations 6, 7, 8 and 10

SCHEDULE 3 LABELS

A packaged article or substance or a combination in Class 1, Division 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3

1.  One of the labels required by Regulation 6(1) shall—

(a) be a square set with its sides at an angle of 45° to the vertical;

(b) be in the form of the following diagram (the hazard classification code “1.2 E” is only an example); and

(c) comply with the measurements in the diagram except that—

(i) larger measurements may be used in which case the measurements shall be increased proportionally, or

(ii) where, in order to comply with Regulation 10(1), a smaller label is necessary, the dimensions may be decreased proportionally whilst remaining as large as is reasonably practicable for the purpose of such compliance.

2.—(1) The above label shall have a pictograph of a bomb blast filling most of its upper half.

(2) In the lower half of the label, the word “EXPLOSIVE” shall be written in capital letters which shall each be smaller than the Compatibility Group letter in the hazard classification code required by sub-paragraph (3) below.

(3) Below the word “EXPLOSIVE”, the hazard classification code appropriate for the contents when in the packaging on which the label is put shall be written.

(4) Below the hazard classification code, the Class number “1” shall be written in the bottom corner of the label.

(5) The label shall have a line at least 1 mm wide approximately 5mm inside the edge and running parallel to it.

An unpackaged article in Class 1, Division 1.1, 1.2 or 1.3

3.  One of the labels required by Regulation 6(2) shall be as described in paragraphs 1 and 2 except that the hazard classification code shall be that appropriate for the article when not packaged.

A packaged article or substance or a combination in Class 1, Division 1.4 or 1.5

4.  Subject to the alternatives in paragraphs 6 and 7 which may be used instead where appropriate, one of the labels required by Regulation 6(3) shall—

(a) be a square set with its sides at an angle of 45° to the vertical;

(b) be in the form of the following diagram (the Division number “1.4” and the Compatibility Group letter “G” are only examples); and

(c) comply with the measurements in the diagram except that—

(i) larger measurements may be used in which case the measurements shall be increased proportionally, or

(ii) where, in order to comply with Regulation 10(1), a smaller label is necessary, the dimensions may be decreased proportionally whilst remaining as large as is reasonably practicable for the purpose of such compliance.

5.—(1) The Division number appropriate for the contents when in the packaging on which the label is put shall be written in the upper half of the label.

(2) The Compatibility Group letter appropriate for the contents when in the packaging on which the label is put shall be written in the lower half of the label.

(3) Below the Compatibility Group letter, the Class number “1” shall be written in the bottom corner of the label.

(4) The label shall have a line at least 1mm wide approximately 5mm inside the edge and running parallel to it.

Alternatives to the provisions of paragraphs 4 and 5

6.  In any case where the hazard classification code is “1.4 S” the label on the outer packaging may be either—

(a) “1.4 S”, the numbers and letter being of reasonable size having regard to the dimensions of the package; or

(b) in accordance with paragraphs 4 and 5 except that the letter may be on the right of the numbers instead of underneath them, in which case the numbers and letter shall be of reasonable size having regard to the dimensions of the label.

7.  Packaged fireworks which fall within Division 1.4 may be labelled on their outer packaging with the word “FIREWORK” in capital letters followed by the hazard classification code appropriate for the fireworks as so packaged.

An unpackaged article, other than a firework, in Class 1, Division 1.4

8.  One of the labels required by Regulation 6(4) shall—

(a) be as described in paragraphs 4 and 5 except that the Division number and the Compatibility Group letter shall be those appropriate for the article when it is not packaged; or

(b) clearly show the word “EXPLOSIVE” in capital letters followed by the hazard classification code appropriate for the article when it is not packaged; or

(c) in the case of an article which when not packaged comes within Division 1.4 and Compatibility Group S, clearly show “1.4 S”.

An article, substance or combination not in Class 1

9.  The label required by Regulation 7 shall—

(a) be a square set with its sides at an angle of 45° to the vertical;

(b) be in the form of the following diagram; and

(c) comply with the measurements in the diagram except that—

(i) larger measurements may be used in which case the measurements shall be increased proportionally, or

(ii) where, in order to comply with Regulation 10(1), a smaller label is necessary, the dimensions may be decreased proportionally whilst remaining as large as is reasonably practicable for the purpose of such compliance.

Colour of labels described in paragraphs 1 to 9

10.  The background colour of the labels shall be orange.

11.  Pictographs, numbers, letters and lines shall be in black.

A packaged article or substance or a combination in Class 1

12.  The other label required by Regulation 6(1) and (3) shall show in respect of each explosive article or explosive substance, whether or not in a combination—

(a) its United Nations Serial Number;

(b) its name;

(c) if it has been imported, the name and address of, or the monogram of, the importer;

(d) if it has not been imported, the name and address of, or the monogram of, the manufacturer.

An unpackaged article in Class 1

13.  The other label required by Regulation 6(2) and (4) shall show in respect of the article—

(a) its United Nations Serial Number;

(b) if it has been imported, the name and address of, or the monogram of, the importer;

(c) if it has not been imported, the name and address of, or the monogram of, the manufacturer.

Outer packaging

14.  The label required by Regulation 8(1) shall show in respect of the contents of the outer packaging—

(a) the total number of any explosive articles and the total nominal mass of any explosive substances;

(b) the month and year of manufacture or leaving the factory of manufacture, with an indication as to which of the two dates is being given, such information may be given in a manufacturer's code, details of which shall be made available to the Health and Safety Executive;

(c) a description which enables each explosive article to be distinguished from every other explosive article which is not identical;

(d) in the case of articles in cord form, the length of cord on each spool;

(e) in the case of explosive substances in cartridge form, the number, nominal diameter and either the nominal mass or nominal length of each kind of cartridge.

Inner packaging

15.  The label required by Regulation 8(2) shall show in respect of the contents of the inner packaging—

(a) the name of each explosive substance;

(b) the total nominal mass of explosive substances or, as an alternative, in the case of explosive substances in cartridge form, their nominal length;

(c) in the case of explosive substances in cartridge form, their nominal diameter;

(d) the month and year of manufacture or leaving the factory of manufacture, with an indication as to which of the two dates is being given, such information may be given in a manufacturer's code, details of which shall be made available to the Health and Safety Executive.

Regulation 8(1)

SCHEDULE 4 EXPLOSIVE ARTICLES IN RESPECT OF WHICH OUTER PACKAGING IS TO BE LABELLED

In this Schedule “N.O.S.” means “not otherwise specified”

1	2	3
United Nations Serial Number	Article	Hazard Classification Code
0354	ARTICLES, EXPLOSIVE, N.O.S.	1.1 L
0355	ARTICLES, EXPLOSIVE, N.O.S.	1.2 L
0356	ARTICLES, EXPLOSIVE, N.O.S.	1.3 L
0350	ARTICLES, EXPLOSIVE, N.O.S.	1.4 B
0351	ARTICLES, EXPLOSIVE, N.O.S.	1.4 C
0352	ARTICLES, EXPLOSIVE, N.O.S.	1.4 D
0353	ARTICLES, EXPLOSIVE, N.O.S.	1.4 G
0349	ARTICLES, EXPLOSIVE, N.O.S.	1.4 S
0225	BOOSTERS WITH DETONATOR	1.1 B
0268	BOOSTERS WITH DETONATOR	1.2 B
0042	BOOSTERS without detonator	1.1 D
0283	BOOSTERS without detonator	1.2 D
0048	CHARGES, DEMOLITION	1.1 D
0442	CHARGES, EXPLOSIVE, COMMERCIAL without detonator	1.1 D
0443	CHARGES, EXPLOSIVE, COMMERCIAL without detonator	1.2 D
0444	CHARGES, EXPLOSIVE, COMMERCIAL without detonator	1.4 D
0445	CHARGES, EXPLOSIVE, COMMERCIAL without detonator	1.4 S
0059	CHARGES, SHAPED, COMMERCIAL without detonator	1.1 D
0439	CHARGES, SHAPED, COMMERCIAL without detonator	1.2 D
0440	CHARGES, SHAPED, COMMERCIAL without detonator	1.4 D
0441	CHARGES, SHAPED, COMMERCIAL without detonator	1.4 S
0288	CHARGES, SHAPED, FLEXIBLE, LINEAR metal clad	1.1 D
0237	CHARGES, SHAPED, FLEXIBLE, LINEAR metal clad	1.4 D
0060	CHARGES, SUPPLEMENTARY, EXPLOSIVE	1.1 D
0382	COMPONENTS, EXPLOSIVE TRAIN, N.O.S.	1.2 B
0383	COMPONENTS, EXPLOSIVE TRAIN, N.O.S.	1.4 B
0384	COMPONENTS, EXPLOSIVE TRAIN, N.O.S.	1.4 S
0248	CONTRIVANCES, WATER-ACTIVATED with burster, expelling charge or propelling charge	1.2 L
0249	CONTRIVANCES, WATER-ACTIVATED with burster, expelling charge or propelling charge	1.3 L
0065	CORD, DETONATING, flexible	1.1 D
0289	CORD, DETONATING, flexible	1.4 D
0290	CORD (FUSE), DETONATING, metal clad	1.1 D
0102	CORD (FUSE), DETONATING, metal clad	1.2 D
0104	CORD (FUSE), DETONATING, MILD EFFECT, metal clad	1.4 D
0066	CORD, IGNITER	1.4 G
0030	DETONATORS, ELECTRIC for blasting	1.1 B
0255	DETONATORS, ELECTRIC for blasting	1.4 B
0029	DETONATORS, NON-ELECTRIC for blasting	1.1 B
0267	DETONATORS, NON-ELECTRIC for blasting	1.4 B
0360	DETONATOR ASSEMBLIES, NON-ELECTRIC for blasting	1.1 B
0361	DETONATOR ASSEMBLIES, NON-ELECTRIC for blasting	1.4 B
0099	FRACTURING DEVICES, EXPLOSIVE, for oil wells, without detonator	1.1 D
0103	FUSE, IGNITER, tubular, metal clad	1.4 G
0101	FUSE, INSTANTANEOUS, NON-DETONATING	1.3 G
0105	FUSE, SAFETY	1.4 S
0106	FUZES, DETONATING	1.1 B
0107	FUZES, DETONATING	1.2 B
0257	FUZES, DETONATING	1.4 B
0367	FUZES, DETONATING	1.4 S
0408	FUZES, DETONATING with protective features	1.1 D
0409	FUZES, DETONATING with protective features	1.2 D
0410	FUZES, DETONATING with protective features	1.4 D
0121	IGNITERS	1.1 G
0314	IGNITERS	1.2 G
0315	IGNITERS	1.3 G
0325	IGNITERS	1.4 G
0124	JET PERFORATING GUNS, CHARGED, oil well, without detonator	1.1 D
0173	RELEASE DEVICES, EXPLOSIVE	1.4 S
0374	SOUNDING DEVICES, EXPLOSIVE	1.1 E
0296	SOUNDING DEVICES, EXPLOSIVE	1.1 F
0375	SOUNDING DEVICES, EXPLOSIVE	1.2 E
0204	SOUNDING DEVICES, EXPLOSIVE	1.2 F

Regulation 8(1) and (2)

SCHEDULE 5 EXPLOSIVE SUBSTANCES IN RESPECT OF WHICH INNER AND OUTER PACKAGINGS ARE TO BE LABELLED

In this Schedule “N.O.S.” means “not otherwise specified”

1	2	3
United Nations Serial Number	Substance	Hazard Classification Code
0224	BARIUM AZIDE, dry or wetted with less than 50 per cent water, by weight	1.1 A
0027	BLACK POWDER (GUNPOWDER) granular or as a meal	1.1 D
0028	BLACK POWDER (GUNPOWDER) COMPRESSED, or BLACK POWDER (GUNPOWDER) IN PELLETS	1.1 D
0226	CYCLOTETRAMETHYLENETETRANITRAMINE (HMX; OCTOGEN), WETTED with not less than 15 per cent water, by weight, or CYCLOTETRAMETHYLENE-TETRANITRAMINE (HMX; OCTOGEN), DESENSITIZED with not less than 10 per cent phlegmatiser, by weight	1.1 D
0391	CYCLOTRIMETHYLENETRINITRA-MINE(CYCLONITE; HEXOGEN; RDX) AND CYCLOTETRAMETHYLENETETRA-NITRAMINE (HMX; OCTOGEN) MIXTURES, WETTED with not less than 15 per cent water by weight, or CYCLOTRIMETHYLENETRINITRAMINE (CYCLONITE; HEXOGEN; RDX) AND CYCLOTETRAMETHYLENETETRANITRAMINE (HMX; OCTOGEN) MIXTURES, DESENSITIZED with not less than 10 per cent phlegmatiser, by weight	1.1 D
0072	CYCLOTRIMETHYLENETRINITRAMINE (CYCLONITE; HEXOGEN; RDX), WETTED with not less than 15 per cent water, by weight, or CYCLOTRIMETHYLENETRINITRAMINE (CYCLONITE; HEXOGEN; RDX), DESENSITIZED with not less than 10 per cent phlegmatiser, by weight	1.1 D
0074	DIAZODINITROPHENOL, WETTED with not less than 40 per cent water, by weight (or mixture of alcohol and water)	1.1 A
0081	EXPLOSIVE, BLASTING, TYPE A	1.1 D
0082	EXPLOSIVE, BLASTING, TYPE B	1.1 D
0331	EXPLOSIVE, BLASTING, TYPE B	1.5 D
0083	EXPLOSIVE, BLASTING, TYPE C	1.1 D
0084	EXPLOSIVE, BLASTING, TYPE D	1.1 D
0241	EXPLOSIVE, BLASTING, TYPE E	1.1 D
0332	EXPLOSIVE, BLASTING, TYPE E	1.5 D
0113	GUANYL NITROSAMINOGUANYLIDENE HYDRAZINE, WETTED with not less than 30 per cent water, by weight	1.1 A
0114	GUANYL NITROSAMINOGUANYLTETRAZENE (TETRAZENE), WETTED with not less than 30 per cent water, by weight (or mixture of alcohol and water)	1.1 A
0079	HEXANITRODIPHENYLAMINE (DIPICRYLAMINE; HEXYL)	1.1 D
0392	HEXANITROSTILBENE	1.1 D
0393	HEXATONAL, CAST	1.1 D
0118	HEXOLITE, dry or wetted with less than 15 per cent water, by weight	1.1 D
0129	LEAD AZIDE, WETTED with not less than 20 per cent water, by weight (or mixture of alcohol and water)	1.1 A
0130	LEAD STYPHNATE (LEAD TRINITRORESORCINATE), WETTED with not less than 20 per cent water, by weight (or mixture of alcohol and water)	1.1 A
0133	MANNITOL HEXANITRATE (NITROMANNITE), WETTED with not less than 40 per cent water, by weight (or mixture of alcohol and water)	1.1 D
0135	MERCURY FULMINATE, WETTED with not less than 20 per cent water, by weight (or mixture of alcohol and water)	1.1 A
0340	NITROCELLULOSE, dry or wetted with less than 25 per cent water (or alcohol), by weight	1.1 D
0341	NITROCELLULOSE, unmodified or plasticized with less than 18 per cent plasticizing substance, by weight	1.1 D
0343	NITROCELLULOSE, PLASTICIZED with not less than 18 per cent plasticizing substance, by weight	1.3 C
0342	NITROCELLULOSE, WETTED with not less than 25 per cent alcohol, by weight	1.3 C
0143	NITROGLYCERIN, DESENSITIZED with not less than 40 per cent non-volatile water-insoluble phlegmatiser, by weight	1.1 D
0144	NITROGLYCERIN, SPIRIT OF, with more than 1 per cent but not more than 10 per cent nitroglycerin in solution in alcohol	1.1 D
0282	NITROGUANIDINE, (PICRITE), dry or wetted with less than 20 per cent water, by weight	1.1 D
0146	NITROSTARCH, dry or wetted with less than 20 per cent water, by weight	1.1 D
0147	NITRO UREA	1.1 D
0266	OCTOLITE, (OCTOL), dry or wetted with less than 15 per cent water, by weight	1.1 D
0411	PENTAERYTHRITE TETRANITRATE (PETN) with not less than 7 per cent wax, by weight	1.1 D
0150	PENTAERYTHRITE TETRANITRATE (PENTAERYTHRITOL TETRA-NITRATE: PETN), WETTED with not less than 25 per cent water, by weight, or PENTAERYTHRITE TETRANITRATE (PENTAERYTHRITOL TETRANITRATE; PETN), DESENSITIZED with not less than 15 per cent phlegmatiser, by weight	1.1 D
0151	PENTOLITE, dry or wetted with less than 15 per cent water, by weight	1.1 D
0433	POWDER CAKE, WETTED with not less than 17 per cent alcohol, by weight	1.1 C
0159	POWDER CAKE (POWDER PASTE), WETTED with not less than 35 per cent water, by weight	1.3 C
0160	POWDER, SMOKELESS	1.1 C
0161	POWDER, SMOKELESS	1.3 C
0190	SAMPLES, EXPLOSIVE, other than initiating explosive	As appropriate
0357	SUBSTANCES, EXPLOSIVE, N.O.S.	1.1 L
0358	SUBSTANCES, EXPLOSIVE, N.O.S.	1.2 L
0359	SUBSTANCES, EXPLOSIVE, N.O.S.	1.3 L
0208	TRINITROPHENYLMETHYLNITRAMINE (TETRYL)	1.1 D
0209	TRINITROTOLUENE (TNT), dry or wetted with less than 30 per cent water, by weight	1.1 D
0388	TRINITROTOLUENE (TNT) AND TRINITROBENZENE MIXTURES or TRINITROTOLUENE (TNT) AND HEXANITROSTILBENE MIXTURES	1.1 D
0389	TRINITROTOLUENE (TNT) MIXTURES CONTAINING TRINITROBENZENE AND HEXANITROSTILBENE	1.1 D
0390	TRITONAL	1.1 D
0220	UREA NITRATE, dry or wetted with less than 20 per cent water, by weight	1.1 D