The new EU regulation on explosives precursors will apply from 1 February 2021. In this case, explosive precursors are raw materials that can be used to make explosives. To comply with and implement the new regulations, national legislation is also being amended. The regulation was introduced to prevent malicious parties from unknowingly making explosives with these substances.
This new regulation imposes a number of obligations on companies with regard to restricted explosives precursors. These limited precursors can be found in the so-called list 1. These restrictions mean that substances or products containing these substances may not simply be sold and that the Dutch government and the EU impose certain requirements on sales.
EU law distinguishes explosives precursors by dividing them into two different lists of substances (see section below), the so-called annexes to the EU regulation. Different rules and obligations apply to both lists.
List 1: Restricted explosives precursors
| Name of the substance | Limit above which a permit is required | Limit above which no permit will be granted |
| Nitric acid | 3% w/w | 10% w/w |
| Hydrogen peroxide | 12% w/w | 35% w/w |
| Sulphuric acid | 15% w/w | 40% w/w |
| Nitromethane | 16% w/w | 100% w/w |
| Ammonium nitrate | 16% w/w nitrogen in relation to ammonium nitrate | No licensing |
| Potassium chlorate | 40% w/w | No permit allowed |
| Potassium perchlorate | 40% w/w | No licensing allowed |
| Sodium chlorate | 40% w/w | No permit allowed |
| Sodium perchlorate | 40% w/w | No licensing allowed |
List 2: Explosive precursors for which a reporting obligation applies
| Name of the substance |
| Hexamine |
| Acetone |
| Potassium nitrate |
| Sodium nitrate |
| Calcium nitrate |
| Calcium ammonium nitrate |
| Magnesium, powders (With a particle size less than 200 μm and/or as dust or in mixtures with at least 70% w/w) |
| Magnesium nitrate hexahydrate |
| Aluminum, powders (with a particle size of less than 200 μm and/or as dust or in mixtures with at least 70% w/w) |
DutchChems is not liable for the topicality of these two lists. Raadpleeg als betrouwbare bron overheidsdocumenten altijd op de website van de rijksoverheid: https://www.ilent.nl/onderwerpen/precursoren-voor-explosieven
What does this mean for me as a customer?
For you as a customer, this means that for certain products we will ask you to indicate what you will use the product for. We also ask you, if applicable, to upload your permit for the specific substance. To make this process as easy as possible, these input fields are automatically presented to you on the product page if necessary.
As a customer, you do not have to worry about whether or not you have provided all the necessary information/documents. This process is handled by the website and the product cannot be added to your cart if you have not done so.
We are obliged to register and keep your data for a period of 18 months after purchasing any of the substances classified as precursors. You can find out how we handle your data in the privacy policy. We are also obliged to report suspicious transactions to the Reporting Center for Suspicious Transactions on Chemical Substances.
