Precursors - explosive substances

Definition of a precursor: a starting substance is a substance that participates in a chemical reaction where another compound is produced, such as an explosive substance.

A large number of precursors/source substances may only be sold to people who must use the substances in connection with their profession. The background is that these chemicals will be able to be used in the illegal manufacture of explosives.

Customer declaration

Control of the sale of precursors/starting substances that are subject to restrictions to professional users: The following information must be available in the form of a customer declaration for each individual transaction:

  • Name, address and proof of identification of the person purchasing the chemical
  • Buyer's occupation, business or profession
  • Information about the company that will use the chemical (name, address, CVR number, etc.)
  • What the chemical is to be used for
  • Chemical name, quantity, place of sale, seller and date.

This information must be stored for 18 months after the transaction

Does a customer declaration have to be completed for each purchase?

No, a customer declaration can apply for one year at a time.
Provided that the customer (AU) has been checked within a year before the current transaction and if it does not differ significantly from previous transactions, otherwise it is done for each purchase.

If the above cannot be fulfilled, a customer declaration must be completed for each purchase.

Which chemicals are involved?

Table 1: Precursors/starting materials for explosives subject to restrictions:

Chemicals subject to restrictions require a customer declaration:

Name of chemical:

Threshold:

Nitri acid

>3%

Hydrogen peroxide

>12%

Sulfuric acid

>15%

Nitromethan

>16%

Ammonium nitrate

>16%

Potassium chlorate

>40%

Potassium perchlorate

>40%

Sodium chlorate

>40%

Sodium perchlorate

>40%

For the substances listed in Table 1, a precautionary procedure for proper storage and surveillance/monitoring shall be put in place.

Storage requirements

A safety procedure for proper storage and surveillance/monitoring must be put in place.

  • Precursors/precursors must be stored securely and in a locked room or cupboard, out of the reach of unauthorised persons.
  • Keys to storage rooms or cupboards must be stored securely and out of reach of unauthorized persons.

Reporting theft to the police

In case of significant disappearances and thefts of precursors/precursors, it must be reported to the police to the nearest police district within 24 hours of discovery.

Regulation and links

The rules in this area can be found in an EU regulation on explosives precursors and the Ministry of Justice's executive order on explosives precursors:

  1. The EU Regulation - Explosives Precursors of 20 June 2019
    L_2019186EN.01000101.xml (europa.eu)
     
  2. Executive Order on explosives precursors no. 956 of 28/08/2014
    Bekendtgørelse om udgangsstoffer til eksplosivstoffer (retsinformation.dk)
     
  3. The Danish Safety Agency has prepared a website on the control of starting materials for explosives, where additional information can be found.
    https://www.sik.dk/erhverv/produkter/udgangsstoffer-eksplosivstoffer/kontrol-udgangsstoffer-eksplosivstoffer