The Firearm Services Unit issues certificates for the acquisition and keeping of controlled explosives as well licences for explosives stores. Explosives are used in industry, and also for recreational purposes such as historical re-enactment.

Control of Explosives Regulations 1991 (COER)

The possession of controlled explosives are governed by the Control of Explosive Regulations 1991 (often referred to as COER) and it is under these regulations that the Police Service issue certificates.

Types of certificate

There are two types of certificate issued by the police:

1. Acquire only certificate
This is issued to permit a person or company, to obtain explosives that are to be used immediately, and not kept overnight.

2. Acquire and keep certificate
This is issued to allow a person or company to obtain explosives and keep them in an approved storage place.

Manufacture and Storage of Explosive Regulations 2005 (MSER)

The safe storage of explosioves is regulated by the Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005 (MSER). Under the MSER police are responsible for the licensing of certain storage sites. Police will not issue storage licences where more than 2000KG of explosive is to be kept, such sites are the responsibility of the Health & Safety Executive. Storage sites for explosives listed in Schedule 1 of COER, e.g. fireworks, are licensed by Suffolk County Council Trading Standards.

COER 1991 Schedule 1  - opens in a new window.

Shooter’s Powders

MSER allows small quantities of smokeless powder and black powder, collectively known as shooter’s powders, to be kept without having to register a place of keeping. An explosives certificate will still be required to acquire and keep black powder. This will often relates to those keeping shooter’s powders for their own personal shooting purposes with muzzle-loading firearms, or home loading small arms ammunition. Re-enactment Societies often need to store powder at an event site and this can be done without the need to register the storage so long as the powder is not kept at the event site for longer than 3 days. An explosives acquire and keep certificate will be required.

Registration and licensing of explosive stores

Unless otherwise exempted by the regulations, where explosives are kept, the premises used for storage will need to be registered, or licensed, dependant on the type of explosives and quantity of being kept. This requirement is in addition to the need for a COER explosives certificate where applicable. In many cases safety distances must be maintained around the place of storage. Applicants will be given detailed advice in relation to safe keeping including any safety distances required.

For more information see Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) website home page on explosives - opens in a new window.

Security of explosives

It is vital that explosives are kept securely so that unauthorised access is prevented. We will give all applicants advice on the best way to safely and securly store explosives in their particular circumstances.

Applying for an explosives certificate

If you wish to apply for a explosives certificate you will need to complete the appropriate application form. Please print out the form, fill it in, and then return it to the Firearm Services Unit, Suffolk Constabulary, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich, IP5 3QS.

Application Form  COER1A - 47.6kb - (pdf) is used where black powder is required for use in the applicants own firearms or shotguns or for the applicants individual possession of powder for/at re-enactment. Please see below if you wish to renew an existing Explosives Certificate.

Application Form COER1B - (pdf) - is used to renew an existing explosives certificate only where you are also renewing a Shotgun or Firearms Certificate at the same time.

Application Form COER1 - 63.7kb - (pdf)  is to be used all cases other than those covered by COER1A and COER1B above.

Applying for a storage licence or registration

If you wish to apply to licence or register an explosive store you will need to complete the MSER application form. Please print out the form, fill it in, and then return it to the Firearm Services Unit, Suffolk Constabulary, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich, IP5 3QS.

Application for Registration or Store Licence - 68.1kb - (pdf) - opens in a new window.

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Further advice and information

If you require any information regarding the safe storage or regulations governing the possession, transportation, storage or use of explosives, please do not hesitate to contact us, we will be please to assist.

Useful links:

Suffolk Trading Standards - opens in a new window

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) - opens in a new window