Important notice to all retail shops
6 August 2003
On 28 August 2003, all explosives including gunpowder and smokeless powder will be transferred to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) regime.
Not many requirements will change with the transfer to HSNO. Where before you needed to get licenses to sell, store and transport gunpowder and black powder, you will now need to get a Test Certificate for your magazines and for your locations. You may also need to have an 'Approved Handler' in control of the powder, if the quantities involved are greater than the trigger quantities discussed below. An 'Approved Handler' is a person that has obtained a test certificate to show that they are competent to handle the substance concerned.
Not everyone handling gunpowder or smokeless powder needs to become an Approved Handler. Handling gunpowder and smokeless powder may be done under the guidance or in the presence of an Approved Handler. In other words the Approved Handler needs to be available to provide assistance at all times when the substance is being handled.
Storage
Gunpowder and smokeless powder may be kept in a readily moveable container (portable magazine) which meets the prescribed requirements, in total quantities up to 50 kg, when held for sale. Quantities above this level when held for sale must be kept in a magazine that meets prescribed requirements, as do quantities above 15 kg total when not held for sale. These containers and magazines are required to have a test certificate. There are grandparenting provisions in place to allow the continued use of existing licensed containers and magazines. In addition, where quantities greater than 50 kg of gunpowder or 100 kg of smokeless powder are held (note that these quantities are not cumulative), the location will also be required to have a test certificate.
These requirements essentially continue the previous requirements that applied under the Explosives Act, including the allowance for up to 15 kg of gunpowder or smokeless powder, when kept for private use, not to be kept in a magazine as long as it is appropriately stored and adequately secured.
Approved Handlers
Before the point of sale, more than 50 kg of Powder must be under the control of an Approved Handler. Beyond the point of sale, more than 15 kg must be under the control of an Approved Handler.
Obtaining a Test Certificate for a magazine, location or Approved Handler
To obtain a Test Certificate, you need to go to a Test Certifier. You may obtain an Approved Handler's test certificate through one of two paths - grandparenting (which requires a minimum of two years experience) or as a full HSNO Approved Handler (with additional knowledge component of HSNO)
Further information
For further detail on the regulatory provisions you should consult the Hazardous Substances (Classes 1 to 5 Controls) Regulations 2001 and the Hazardous Substances (Classes 1 to 5 Controls) Amendment Regulations 2003. If you need further information on where to get Test Certificates, look up the Register of Test Certifiers or call us on 04 916 2426 and we'll post a list of Test Certifiers out to you.
For further information please contact:
Julie Watson,
Communications.
Mob: +64 4 021 674 954.
Telephone +64 4 918 4826.
Facsimile +64 4 914 0433.
Email: info@ermanz.govt.nz