Manufacture explosives and pyrotechnics

Explosives are strictly controlled. A person may not import, store or manufacture explosives without a licence. Transport and sale of explosives is also controlled by regulations.

Explosives include:

• commercial or industrial explosives (such as detonators, boosters, detonating cord, ANFO and cartridged explosives)
• propellants (such as shooter’s powder, black powder)
• pyrotechnics (such as marine distress flares, industrial pyrotechnic cartridges and fireworks)

Certain substances such as ammonium nitrate, sodium chlorate, potassium nitrate and sodium nitrate also come under the control of the explosives regulations, as they are deemed to be explosives for the purposes of the Act.

Use of explosives is not controlled by the Explosives Act, but is regulated by the Health and Safety Authority.

Fill in the form below, and send it with a cheque for €12.70. Cheques should be made payable to the Department of Justice and sent, together with this completed application form, to:

Copies of all application forms submitted to the Department of Justice in respect of licences to manufacture Ammonium Nitrate Mixtures should be sent, for information purposes, to the Health and Safety Authority. All applicants must send these copies to: