Explosive precursors are substances and mixtures that could be improperly used to illicitly manufacture explosives, including by private individuals who, upon purchasing products containing such substances or mixtures from commercial outlets, might use them to create improvised explosive devices. The framework regulation is Regulation (EU) 2019/1148, which effectively limits the availability of these chemicals to private individuals, ensures the adequate reporting of suspicious transactions along the entire supply chain, and serves as a community anti-terrorism law. Each EU Member State has the autonomy to impose additional restrictions and national bans as deemed appropriate.
Explosive precursors are divided into two categories: restricted precursors (for which a concentration limit is defined, beyond which sales to consumers are prohibited, while sales to professional users/economic operators are subject to a series of obligations) and regulated precursors. In cases of suspicious transactions, significant losses, or thefts of this category of precursors, both economic operators and professional users must report these incidents within 24 hours to the national contact point at the Ministry of the Interior, the Department of Public Safety, or the Central Directorate of Criminal Police.
Professional Users and Economic Operators are the stakeholders impacted by the Regulation. The former refers to natural or legal persons who use explosive precursors solely in the course of their trade, business, or profession. Economic Operators are natural or legal persons who make explosive precursors available on the market, whether free of charge or for payment. Sales personnel employed by both categories must exercise particular care, conducting various assessments before a sale and during procurement for their organization, as well as maintaining records of acquired information.
The storage of precursors must involve measures to ensure safe handling and use, as well as theft prevention and detection. Therefore, it is crucial to establish procedures to safeguard security conditions (safety + security). Flashpoint assists organizations in evaluating the use of their chemicals and in developing appropriate procedures to ensure the safety of their personnel and consumers.
One area particularly scrutinized by authorities is online commerce. Digital transactions are widely used for consumer product purchases and are subject to the Regulation just as transactions in the physical market. Thus, both sellers and platform operators must comply with the provisions. Common consumer products such as descalers, drain cleaners, acetone, and hydrogen peroxide—commonly known as “oxygenated water“—are examples of widely used explosive precursors in certain concentrations.