CHAPTER 3

SECURITY PROVISIONS

Identification and traceability of explosives
Article 15
1
Economic operators shall adhere to a uniform system for the unique identification and traceability of explosives, that takes into account their size, shape or design, except where it is not necessary to place a unique identification on the explosive due to its low level of hazard, based on its characteristics and factors such as its low detonative effects, its uses and the low security risk it presents due to the low potential effects of misuse.
The system shall not apply to explosives transported and delivered unpackaged or in pump trucks for their direct unloading into the blast-hole, or explosives manufactured at blasting sites, and that are loaded immediately after being produced (in situ production).
2
That system shall provide for the collection and storage of data, including where appropriate by electronic means, enabling the unique identification and traceability of the explosive as well as for the placement of a unique identification on the explosive and/or its packaging enabling access to that data. Those data shall relate to the unique identification of the explosive, including its location while in the possession of economic operators and the identity of those economic operators.
3
The data referred to in paragraph 2 shall be tested at regular intervals and protected against accidental or malicious damage or destruction. Those data shall be stored for 10 years after the transaction took place or, where the explosives have been used or disposed of, 10 years after their use or disposal, even if the economic operator has ceased trading. They shall be immediately available at the request of the competent authorities.
4
The Commission may adopt implementing acts:
a
laying down the practical arrangements for the operation of the system of unique identification and traceability referred to in paragraph 1, taking into account the size, shape or design of the explosives, in particular the format and structure of the unique identification, as provided for in paragraph 2;
b
identifying the cases referred to in paragraph 1 where it is not necessary, due to the low level of hazard of an explosive, for economic operators to adhere to the system for the unique identification and traceability within the meaning of that paragraph.
Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 49(3).