The Ammonium Nitrate Materials (High Nitrogen Content) Safety Regulations 2003

Manufacture of relevant ammonium nitrate material

3.—(1) Subject to regulation 10, no person shall manufacture relevant ammonium nitrate material, unless he maintains arrangements in place to ensure that the requirements of paragraphs (2) to (4) are satisfied.

(2) A sample certified as being a representative sample by a sampling body from each batch of manufactured relevant ammonium nitrate material must be subjected to a detonation resistance test during or as soon as reasonably practicable after manufacture.

(3) Where a representative sample fails a detonation resistance test, or the detonation resistance certificate relating to it ceases to be valid, the manufacturer must—

(a) as soon as practicable notify the enforcing authority and the Executive of that fact (save to the extent that that fact is within their knowledge), of the measures he will take—

(i) to blend the batch with other suitable material so that the resultant material is not relevant ammonium nitrate material and that the risk of detonation is reduced to an insignificant level,

(ii) otherwise to reduce the risk of detonation of the batch of relevant ammonium nitrate material concerned to an insignificant level, or

(iii) to have another sample taken by a sampling body and subjected to a detonation resistance test,

• and of the period within which he will take them; and

(b) take those measures within that period or, where any notice has been served by the enforcing authority on the manufacturer requiring alternative measures, a shorter period or both, comply with the requirements in the enforcing authority’s notice.

(4) The manufacturer must ensure that each batch of the material is kept separate and that the detonation resistance certificate clearly identifies the batch to which it relates.

(5) Any person who manufactures relevant ammonium nitrate material must retain a detonation resistance certificate relating to each batch and keep a record of the details of the manufacture and disposal of the batch for a period of two years after the last date of disposal of relevant ammonium nitrate material from the batch.