Exlosives were the first group of substances that ERMA New Zealand transferred, from older pieces of legislation, into the HSNO Act regime on the 28 August 2003.
Trigger Levels for Test Certificate Requirements
Test Certificates are required for locations and handling explosives in quantities above certain trigger levels. They replace the previous Explosives Act licences for storage and manufacture. The Test Certificates for Approved Handlers replace Certificates of Competency. Trigger Table 1 [pdf - 15kb] is a reference to the trigger levels for Test Certificate requirements under HSNO for various groups of explosives. There are exemptions from these test certification requirements for certain explosive articles; for example: safety ammunition, airbag initiators and seatbelt pretensioners. In addition, some explosives are exempt from the need for an Approved Handler beyond their point of sale to the public. See the Trigger Table 1 [pdf - 15kb] for more details.
Key to Trigger Table 1
The Regulations refer to the Hazardous Substances (Classes 1 to 5 Controls) Regulations 2001. Note that the table contains some information that will be included in amendments to these Regulations. These amendments will be in place prior to the date of transfer.
- Regulation 24(1) (b) and 24 (2) - New container (magazine) designs must be certified that they meet the prescribed strength performance requirements and containers constructed to these designs must also be certified. These certificates must be obtained at intervals not exceeding 5 years.
- Regulation 25 - Existing containers must be certified as meeting requirements of the Explosive Regulations. These certificates must be obtained at intervals not exceeding 12 months.
- Regulation 30 - Locations where explosives are present in amounts indicated must be certified that they meet the prescribed requirements.
- Regulation 32(5) - The detonation or deflagration of explosives in the amounts indicated must not take place in darkness unless a certificate has been obtained to certify that the procedures will met the prescribed requirements.
- Regulation 34(2) - If a person is to be exposed to high levels of blast overpressure and heat radiation then a test certificate must be obtained to demonstrate that the levels will be within the prescribed limits.
- Regulation 46(3) - A test certificate is required to certify that the procedures for the transfer of explosives during the hours of darkness meet the prescribed regulations.
- Regulation 13 - Except as stated, explosives in any quantity must be under the personal control of an Approved Handler.
- POS = Point of Sale to the public.
Trigger Table
- Trigger Table 1 [pdf - 15kb].
Further information on Test Certification:
Lisa Williams at ERMA New Zealand
Email: Lisa.Williams@ermanz.govt.nz
Tel: +64 4 916 2426