# The Control of Explosives Precursors etc. (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

S.R. 2026/89 · made 12 May 2026 · revised to 8 June 2026

These Regulations amend the Control of Explosives Precursors etc. Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (“the 2014 Regulations”)—to strengthen the control of the explosives precursors phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, hexamine and sulfur in Northern Ireland, andto implement Regulation (EU) 2019/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on the marketing and use of explosives precursors (“the Precursors Regulation”) in Northern Ireland.

Made under: Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978

PDFs: Printed copy https://openlegislation.uk/control-of-explosives-precursors-etc-amendment-regulations-northern-ireland-2026/pdf/nisr_20260089_en.pdf; NI Explanatory Memorandum https://openlegislation.uk/control-of-explosives-precursors-etc-amendment-regulations-northern-ireland-2026/pdf/nisrem_20260089_en_001.pdf

## Introductory text

Health And Safety
Made 12th May 2026
Laid before Parliament 14th May 2026
Coming into operation 8th June 2026
The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by the following provisions of the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978—
(a) Articles 3(1)(c), (2) and (4), 17, 40(2) and 55(2), and
(b) paragraphs 1(1) and (4), 2, 3, 5, 13, 14(1), 15 and 22 of Schedule 3,
which are, with modifications, exercisable by the Secretary of State in relation to explosives in accordance with paragraph 4 of Schedule 12 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010.
In accordance with Article 46(1) of the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978, the Secretary of State has consulted with the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland and such other bodies as appear to the Secretary of State to be appropriate.

## 1 Citation, commencement and extent

(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Control of Explosives Precursors etc. (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026.
(2) These Regulations come into operation on 8th June 2026.
(3) These Regulations extend to Northern Ireland.

## 2 Amendment of the Control of Explosives Precursors etc. Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014

The Control of Explosives Precursors etc. Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 are amended in accordance with regulations 3 to 20.

## 3 New and updated definitions

In regulation 2, in paragraph (1)—
(a) omit the definition of “the CLP Regulation”;
(b) after the definition of “designated area” insert—
““EEA State” has the same meaning as “member State”;”;
(c) after the definition of “Great Britain” insert—
““hexamine” means hexamine (CAS RN 100-97-0) at any concentration, including a mixture or another substance in which it is present;”;
(d) in the definition of “member of the general public”—
(i) for “an individual” substitute “a person”;
(ii) for “individual’s” substitute “person’s”;
(e) after the definition of “member of the general public” insert—
““member State” means—
(a) a member state of the European Union, or
(b) any other state which is party to the agreement on the European Economic Area signed at Oporto on 2nd May 1992, together with the Protocol adjusting that agreement signed at Brussels on 17th March 1993, as modified or supplemented from time to time;”;
(f) in the definition of “the Precursors Regulation”, for the words from “Regulation (EU) No 98/2013” to the end substitute “Regulation (EU) 2019/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on the marketing and use of explosives precursors, amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 98/2013”;
(g) after the definition of “recognised non-NI licence” insert—
““regulated hydrochloric acid” means hydrochloric acid (CAS RN 7647-01-0) including a mixture or another substance in which the acid is present, excluding homogeneous mixtures of more than five ingredients in which the concentration of the acid is below 1% w/w;
“regulated phosphoric acid” means phosphoric acid (CAS RN 7664-38-2) including a mixture or another substance in which the acid is present, excluding homogeneous mixtures of more than five ingredients in which the concentration of the acid is below 1% w/w;”;
(h) after the definition of “responsible person” insert—
““restricted hydrochloric acid” means hydrochloric acid (CAS RN 7647-01-0) at a concentration higher than 10% w/w, including a mixture or another substance in which the acid is present at a concentration higher than 10% w/w;
“restricted phosphoric acid” means phosphoric acid (CAS RN 7664-38-2) at a concentration higher than 30% w/w, including a mixture or another substance in which the acid is present at a concentration higher than 30% w/w;”;
(i) after the definition of “substance” insert—
““sulfur” means sulfur (CAS RN 7704-34-9) including a mixture or another substance in which it is present, excluding homogeneous mixtures of more than five ingredients in which its concentration is below 1% w/w;”;
(j) in the definition of “using”, after “treating” insert “, consuming, keeping, filling into containers, transferring from one container to another”.

## 4 Control of hydrochloric and phosphoric acids

After regulation 3 insert—
“Control of restricted hydrochloric and phosphoric acids
3A. (1) The following provisions of the Precursors Regulation also apply in relation to restricted hydrochloric acid and restricted phosphoric acid—
(a) Article 5(1) (prohibition on use etc by members of the general public except under licence);
(b) Article 7(1) (first sentence) (informing the supply chain);
(c) Article 8 (verification upon sale);
(d) Article 9(6) (reporting of significant disappearances and thefts by members of the general public).
(2) For the purposes of this regulation, the modifications to the Precursors Regulation in Part 1 of Schedule 1A apply.
(3) In the provisions of the Precursors Regulation applied with modifications by paragraph (1), expressions which are defined in Article 3 of that Regulation have the meaning given by that Article, subject to the modifications in Part 5 of Schedule 1A to the definition of “introduction” which apply for the purposes of this paragraph.
Control of regulated hydrochloric and phosphoric acids
3B. (1) The following provisions of the Precursors Regulation also apply in relation to regulated hydrochloric acid and regulated phosphoric acid—
(a) Article 7(1) (second sentence), (2) and (3) (informing the supply chain);
(b) Article 9(1) to (5) (reporting of suspicious transactions etc).
(2) For the purposes of this regulation, the modifications to the Precursors Regulation in Part 2 of Schedule 1A apply.
(3) In the provisions of the Precursors Regulation applied with modifications by paragraph (1), expressions which are defined in Article 3 of that Regulation have the meaning given by that Article, subject to the modifications in Part 5 of Schedule 1A to the definition of “introduction” which apply for the purposes of this paragraph.”.

## 5 Control of hexamine

After regulation 3B (as inserted by regulation 4) insert—
“Control of hexamine
3C. (1) The following provisions of the Precursors Regulation also apply in relation to hexamine—
(a) Article 5(1) (prohibition on use etc by members of the general public except under licence);
(b) Article 7(1) (first sentence) (informing the supply chain);
(c) Article 8 (verification upon sale);
(d) Article 9(6) (reporting of significant disappearances and thefts by members of the general public).
(2) For the purposes of this regulation, the modifications to the Precursors Regulation in Part 3 of Schedule 1A apply.
(3) In the provisions of the Precursors Regulation applied with modifications by paragraph (1), expressions which are defined in Article 3 of that Regulation have the meaning given by that Article, subject to the modifications in Part 5 of Schedule 1A to the definition of “introduction” which apply for the purposes of this paragraph.”.

## 6 Control of sulfur

After regulation 3C (as inserted by regulation 5) insert—
“Control of sulfur
3D. (1) The following provisions of the Precursors Regulation also apply in relation to sulfur—
(a) Article 7(1) (second sentence), (2) and (3) (informing the supply chain);
(b) Article 9(1) to (5) (reporting of suspicious transactions etc).
(2) For the purposes of this regulation, the modifications to the Precursors Regulation in Part 4 of Schedule 1A apply.
(3) In the provisions of the Precursors Regulation applied with modifications by paragraph (1), expressions which are defined in Article 3 of that Regulation have the meaning given by that Article, subject to the modifications in Part 5 of Schedule 1A to the definition of “introduction” which apply for the purposes of this paragraph.”.

## 7 Update to definition of “tier 2 substance” etc

In regulation 4—
(a) in paragraph (1) for “the prohibition in Article 4(1)” substitute “the prohibitions imposed by regulations 3A(1)(a) and 3C(1)(a) and Article 5(1)”;
(b) for paragraph (2) substitute—
“(2) In these Regulations, “tier 2 substance” means—
(a) a “restricted explosives precursor” within the meaning of Article 3 of the Precursors Regulation but in each case only if the substance or mixture is not a tier 1 substance;
(b) restricted hydrochloric acid;
(c) restricted phosphoric acid;
(d) hexamine.”.

## 8 Grant of licences

In regulation 5—
(a) for paragraph (1) substitute—
“(1A) The Secretary of State may grant a licence to a person to deal with a tier 1 substance, subject to paragraph (1B).
(1B) The Secretary of State may not grant a licence under paragraph (1A)—
(a) to a person to supply ammonium nitrate or sodium chlorate to a member of the general public at a concentration higher than the corresponding limit value, or
(b) to a member of the general public to deal with ammonium nitrate or sodium chlorate at a concentration higher than the corresponding limit value.
(1C) In paragraph (1B) the references to supplying and dealing with ammonium nitrate or sodium chlorate at a concentration higher than the corresponding limit value include supplying or, as the case may be, dealing with a mixture or another substance if ammonium nitrate or sodium chlorate is present at a concentration higher than the corresponding limit value.
(1D) In paragraphs (1B) and (1C) “corresponding limit value” means the limit value corresponding to the substance in column 2 of the table in Annex I to the Precursors Regulation.
(1E) The Secretary of State may grant a licence to a member of the general public to deal with a tier 2 substance, subject to paragraph (1F).
(1F) The Secretary of State may not grant a licence under paragraph (1E) for a tier 2 substance listed in the table in Annex I to the Precursors Regulation where—
(a) that table indicates that licensing is not permissible, or
(b) the concentration is higher than the upper limit value corresponding to the substance in column 3 of that table.”;
(b) in paragraph (6)(b), after “of” insert “the substance at lower concentrations or”;
(c) after paragraph (7) insert—
“(7A) When having regard to whether the applicant or (as the case may be) the responsible person is a fit and proper person, the Secretary of State must have regard to any criminal convictions of the applicant or responsible person (including any criminal convictions in a member State).”.

## 9 Reporting of significant disappearances and thefts

After regulation 10 insert—
“Reporting of significant disappearances and thefts
10A. A member of the general public that has acquired a tier 1 substance in accordance with a licence granted under regulation 5 must report any significant disappearance or theft of that substance to the police within 24 hours of detection.”.

## 10 Recognised non-NI licences

In regulation 11—
(a) in paragraph (2) for “Article 7(6)” substitute “Article 6(7)”;
(b) omit paragraph (4).

## 11 Suppliers: instructing employees

Before regulation 12 insert—
“Suppliers of tier 1 substances: instructing employees
A12. A person who supplies tier 1 substances must ensure that employees involved in the supply of those substances are instructed about the person’s obligations under—
(a) regulation 3 (prohibition on dealing unless under, and in accordance with, a licence),
(b) regulation 8 (general obligations on licence holders),
(c) regulation 9 (tier 1 substances: consent to acquisition, transport and import),
(d) regulation 10 (tier 1 substances: record keeping),
(e) regulation 12 (supply of tier 1 substances), and
(f) regulation 14 (supply of tier 1 substances for despatch or export: consent).
Suppliers of tier 2 substances: instructing employees
B12. A person who supplies tier 2 substances must ensure that employees involved in the supply of those substances are instructed about the person’s obligations under—
(a) regulation 8 (general obligations on licence holders),
(b) regulation 13 (supply of tier 2 substances), and
(c) regulation 15 (labelling: Annex I substances).”.

## 12 Supply of tier 1 substances

In regulation 12—
(a) in paragraph (3) for the words in brackets substitute “(but see paragraph (5) in relation to despatch to Great Britain and Article 5(1) of the Precursors Regulation in relation to export from the United Kingdom, and see also regulation 14)”;
(b) for paragraphs (5) and (6) substitute—
“(5) A person (“S”) may only supply GB-regulated ammonium nitrate or GB-regulated sodium chlorate to a member of the general public (“MGP”) by despatch to Great Britain if MGP provides for inspection—
(a) a licence granted under section 4A of the Poisons Act 1972 allowing MGP to acquire and possess the GB-regulated ammonium nitrate or GB-regulated sodium chlorate (whether or not the licence also allows other activities), and
(b) one of the documents specified in regulation 6(5) relating to MGP (but see regulation 26).”;
(c) in paragraph (10)—
(i) omit the definition of “EU restricted sodium chlorate”;
(ii) before the definition of “parent or guardian” insert—
““GB-regulated ammonium nitrate” means ammonium nitrate, or any mixture or other substance in which that substance is present, which is a regulated explosives precursor within the meaning of section 2(3) of the Poisons Act 1972;
“GB-regulated sodium chlorate” means sodium chlorate, or any mixture or other substance in which that substance is present, which is a regulated explosives precursor within the meaning of section 2(3) of the Poisons Act 1972;”;
(iii) after the definition of “parent or guardian” omit “and”;
(iv) omit the definition of “relevant Great Britain legislation”.

## 13 Supply of tier 2 substances

In regulation 13—
(a) in paragraph (1)—
(i) in the words before sub-paragraph (a), for “Notwithstanding the prohibition in Article 4(1)” substitute “Subject to paragraph (4A) and notwithstanding the application of any prohibition imposed by regulation 3A(1)(a) or 3C(1)(a) or by Article 5(1)”;
(ii) in sub-paragraph (a), omit the words from “allowing” to “substance”;
(b) in paragraph (2)—
(i) for sub-paragraph (a) substitute—
“(a) where the supply does not involve despatch to Great Britain or export from the United Kingdom to a member State, a licence or recognised non-NI licence allowing MGP to acquire and possess the tier 2 substance (whether or not the licence also allows other activities);”;
(ii) in sub-paragraph (b), for “issued or recognised under relevant Great Britain legislation” substitute “granted under section 4A of the Poisons Act 1972 and allowing MGP to acquire and possess the tier 2 substance (whether or not the licence also allows other activities)”;
(iii) in sub-paragraph (c), for the words from “issued” to the end substitute—
“which—
(i) has been issued or is recognised in accordance with Article 6 of the Precursors Regulation by the member State where MGP is acquiring the tier 2 substance, and
(ii) allows MGP to introduce, acquire and possess the tier 2 substance (whether or not the licence also allows other activities).”;
(c) in paragraph (4)(a), for “tier 1” substitute “tier 2”;
(d) after paragraph (4) insert—
“(4A) Paragraph (1) does not apply to—
(a) the supply of restricted hydrochloric acid, restricted phosphoric acid or hexamine where the supply involves export from the United Kingdom to a member State, or
(b) the supply of nitromethane, or any mixture or other substance in which that substance is present, where the supply involves despatch to Great Britain and the substance or mixture is not a regulated explosives precursor within the meaning of section 2(3) of the Poisons Act 1972.”;
(e) in paragraph (5)—
(i) before the definition of “parent or guardian” insert—
““introduce” has the same meaning as in the Precursors Regulation (see the definition of “introduction” in Article 3(5));”;
(ii) after the definition of “parent or guardian” omit “and”;
(iii) omit the definition of “relevant Great Britain legislation”.

## 14 Labelling: Annex I substances

In regulation 15—
(a) for paragraph (1) substitute—
“(1) This regulation applies where a person purports to comply with Article 7(1) (first sentence) of the Precursors Regulation or with a requirement imposed by regulation 3A(1)(b) or 3C(1)(b) (which apply Article 7(1) (first sentence) of the Precursors Regulation with modifications to restricted hydrochloric acid, restricted phosphoric acid and hexamine) by affixing an appropriate label or by verifying that an appropriate label is affixed.”;
(b) in paragraph (2), after “acquisition” insert “, importation”;
(c) omit paragraph (4).

## 15 Application of enforcement provisions in the 1978 Order

In regulation 18, in paragraph (1) for “Articles 4(1), 5, 9(3) and 9(4)” substitute “Articles 5(1) and (2), 7, 8 and 9(1), (2) and (4) to (6)”.

## 16 Enforcement

In regulation 19, in paragraph (2) omit “and Article 5 of the Precursors Regulation”.

## 17 Defence of due diligence

In regulation 20—
(a) before paragraph (1) insert—
“(A1) Paragraph (1) applies to any proceedings for an offence under Article 31 of the 1978 Order for a contravention of—
(a) regulation 3A(1)(b), (c) or (d) (requirements in relation to restricted hydrochloric acid and restricted phosphoric acid imposed by application of Articles 7(1) (first sentence), 8 and 9(6) of the Precursors Regulation with modifications),
(b) regulation 3B(1)(a) or (b) (requirements in relation to regulated hydrochloric acid and regulated phosphoric acid imposed by application of Articles 7(1) (first sentence), (2) and (3) and 9(1) to (5) of the Precursors Regulation with modifications),
(c) regulation 3C(1)(b), (c) or (d) (requirements in relation to hexamine imposed by application of Articles 7(1) (first sentence), 8 and 9(6) of the Precursors Regulation with modifications),
(d) regulation 3D(1)(a) or (b) (requirements in relation to sulfur imposed by application of Articles 7(1) (first sentence), (2) and (3) and 9(1) to (5) of the Precursors Regulation with modifications),
(e) regulation 13 (restrictions on supply of tier 2 substances) or 15 (labelling requirements in relation to Annex I substances), or
(f) Article 7, 8 or 9(1), (2), (4), (5) or (6) of the Precursors Regulation (see regulation 18).”;
(b) in paragraph (1), for the words from “in any proceedings” to “(by virtue of regulation 18),” substitute “in any such proceedings”.

## 18 Proof of lack of knowledge

In regulation 21—
(a) in paragraph (1), for “Article 4(1)” substitute “Article 5”;
(b) in paragraph (2), for “Article 4(1)” substitute “Article 5”;
(c) in paragraph (4) for the definition of “an Article 4(1) offence” substitute—
““an Article 5 offence” means an offence under Article 31 of the 1978 Order for a contravention of—
(a) regulation 3A(1)(a) or 3C(1)(a) (prohibitions in relation to use etc of restricted hydrochloric acid, restricted phosphoric acid and hexamine imposed by application of Article 5(1) of the Precursors Regulation with modifications), or
(b) Article 5(1) or (2) of the Precursors Regulation (which is an offence by virtue of regulation 18).”.

## 19 Guidance

In regulation 24, in paragraph (1)(c) for “Articles 5 and 9” substitute “Articles 7 to 9”.

## 20 Modifications to the Precursors Regulation relating to control of hydrochloric and phosphoric acids, hexamine and sulfur

After Schedule 1 insert—
“SCHEDULE 1A
Modifications to the Precursors Regulation
Regulations 3A to 3D
PART 1
Modifications: control of restricted hydrochloric and phosphoric acids
1. (1) Article 5(1) is to be read as if the reference to restricted explosives precursors were a reference to restricted hydrochloric acid or restricted phosphoric acid (as the case may be).
(2) Article 7(1) (first sentence) is to be read as if—
(a) both references to restricted explosives precursor were references to restricted hydrochloric acid or restricted phosphoric acid (as the case may be);
(b) the reference to Article 5(3) were a reference to these Regulations.
(3) Article 8 is to be read as if—
(a) in paragraph 1—
(i) the first and third references to restricted explosives precursor were both references to restricted hydrochloric acid or restricted phosphoric acid (as the case may be);
(ii) the reference to Article 5(3) were a reference to these Regulations;
(iii) the reference to the Member State where the restricted explosives precursor is made available were a reference to the Secretary of State;
(b) in paragraph 2—
(i) the references to restricted explosives precursor and restricted explosives precursors were both references to restricted hydrochloric acid or restricted phosphoric acid (as the case may be);
(ii) the second sentence were omitted;
(c) in paragraph 3—
(i) both references to restricted explosives precursor were references to restricted hydrochloric acid or restricted phosphoric acid (as the case may be);
(ii) the requirement in the third sentence were a requirement on the economic operator to report any transaction or attempted transaction referred to in the second sentence to the police within 24 hours of concluding that there are reasonable grounds as referred to in that sentence, and to include in that report the identity of the customer or prospective customer if possible and the information which led the economic operator to reach that conclusion;
(d) in paragraph 4 the reference to the Precursors Regulation were a reference to these Regulations;
(e) in paragraph 5—
(i) the reference to restricted explosives precursors were a reference to restricted hydrochloric acid or restricted phosphoric acid (as the case may be);
(ii) the reference to Article 8 were a reference to Article 8 as applied by regulation 3A.
(4) Article 9(6) is to be read as if—
(a) both references to restricted explosives precursors were references to restricted hydrochloric acid or restricted phosphoric acid (as the case may be);
(b) the reference to the national contact point of the Member State where the disappearance or theft took place were a reference to the police.
PART 2
Modifications: control of regulated hydrochloric and phosphoric acids
2. (1) Article 7 is to be read as if—
(a) in paragraph 1 (second sentence), both references to regulated explosives precursor were references to regulated hydrochloric acid or regulated phosphoric acid (as the case may be);
(b) in paragraph 2—
(i) each reference to regulated explosives precursors were a reference to regulated hydrochloric acid or regulated phosphoric acid (as the case may be);
(ii) the reference to the national inspection authorities referred to in Article 11 were a reference to the Secretary of State or an authorised officer;
(iii) in sub-paragraph (b) the reference to Articles 5 to 9 were a reference to regulations 3A and 3B;
(c) in paragraph 3—
(i) the reference to regulated explosives precursors were a reference to regulated hydrochloric acid or regulated phosphoric acid (as the case may be);
(ii) the reference to the Precursors Regulation were a reference to these Regulations.
(2) Article 9(1) to (5) is to be read as if—
(a) in paragraph 1 each reference to regulated explosives precursors were a reference to regulated hydrochloric acid or regulated phosphoric acid (as the case may be);
(b) in paragraph 2 the reference to regulated explosives precursors were a reference to regulated hydrochloric acid or regulated phosphoric acid (as the case may be);
(c) paragraph 3 were omitted;
(d) in paragraph 4 the reference to the national contact point of the Member State where the suspicious transaction was concluded or attempted were a reference to the police;
(e) in paragraph 5—
(i) the reference to the national contact point of the Member State where the disappearance or theft took place were a reference to the police;
(ii) the reference to regulated explosives precursors were to regulated hydrochloric acid or regulated phosphoric acid (as the case may be).
PART 3
Modifications: control of hexamine
3. (1) Article 5(1) is to be read as if the reference to restricted explosives precursors were a reference to hexamine.
(2) Article 7(1) (first sentence) is to be read as if—
(a) both references to restricted explosives precursor were references to hexamine;
(b) the reference to Article 5(3) were a reference to these Regulations.
(3) Article 8 is to be read as if—
(a) in paragraph 1—
(i) the first and third references to restricted explosives precursor were references to hexamine;
(ii) the reference to Article 5(3) were a reference to these Regulations;
(iii) the reference to the Member State where the restricted explosives precursor is made available were a reference to the Secretary of State;
(b) in paragraph 2—
(i) the references to restricted explosives precursor and restricted explosives precursors were references to hexamine;
(ii) the second sentence were omitted;
(c) in paragraph 3—
(i) both references to restricted explosives precursor were references to hexamine;
(ii) the requirement in the third sentence were a requirement on the economic operator to report any transaction or attempted transaction referred to in the second sentence to the police within 24 hours of concluding that there are reasonable grounds as referred to in that sentence, and to include in that report the identity of the customer or prospective customer if possible and the information which led the economic operator to reach that conclusion;
(d) in paragraph 4 the reference to the Precursors Regulation were a reference to these Regulations;
(e) in paragraph 5—
(i) the reference to restricted explosives precursors were a reference to hexamine;
(ii) the reference to Article 8 were a reference to Article 8 as applied by regulation 3C.
(4) Article 9(6) is to be read as if—
(a) both references to restricted explosives precursors were references to hexamine;
(b) the reference to the national contact point of the Member State where the disappearance or theft took place were a reference to the police.
PART 4
Modifications: control of sulfur
4. (1) Article 7 is to be read as if—
(a) in paragraph 1 (second sentence), both references to regulated explosives precursor were references to sulfur;
(b) in paragraph 2—
(i) each reference to regulated explosives precursors were a reference to sulfur;
(ii) the reference to the national inspection authorities referred to in Article 11 were a reference to the Secretary of State or an authorised officer;
(iii) in sub-paragraph (b) the reference to Articles 5 to 9 were a reference to regulation 3D;
(c) in paragraph 3—
(i) the reference to regulated explosives precursors were a reference to sulfur;
(ii) the reference to the Precursors Regulation were a reference to these Regulations.
(2) Article 9(1) to (5) is to be read as if—
(a) in paragraph 1 each reference to regulated explosives precursors were a reference to sulfur;
(b) in paragraph 2 the reference to regulated explosives precursors were a reference to sulfur;
(c) paragraph 3 were omitted;
(d) in paragraph 4 the reference to the national contact point of the Member State where the suspicious transaction was concluded or attempted were a reference to the police;
(e) in paragraph 5—
(i) the reference to the national contact point of the Member State where the disappearance or theft took place were a reference to the police;
(ii) the reference to regulated explosives precursors were to sulfur.
PART 5
Modifications to definition of “introduction” in Article 3
5. The definition of “introduction” in Article 3 is to be read as if—
(a) the reference to the territory of a Member State were a reference to Northern Ireland;
(b) the words from “, irrespective” to “third country” were omitted.”.

## Signature

Hilary Benn
Secretary of State
Northern Ireland Office
12th May 2026

## Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend the Control of Explosives Precursors etc. Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (“the 2014 Regulations”)—
to strengthen the control of the explosives precursors phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, hexamine and sulfur in Northern Ireland, and
to implement Regulation (EU) 2019/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on the marketing and use of explosives precursors (“the Precursors Regulation”) in Northern Ireland.
Regulations 4 to 8, 13, 14 and 20 (read with definitions inserted by regulation 3 and the definition of “tier 2 substance” substituted by regulation 7(b)) make amendments which strengthen the control of the explosives precursors phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, hexamine and sulfur in Northern Ireland. Regulations 4 to 6 apply, with modifications, specific provisions of the Precursors Regulation to the substances in question at certain concentrations. As regards restricted hydrochloric acid, restricted phosphoric acid and hexamine, regulations 7 and 8 make provision about licensing and regulation 13 provides for the verification of licences. Related amendments are made by regulations 17 and 18 to provisions of the 2014 Regulations concerning offences.
Regulation 11 makes changes so that a person who supplies tier 1 or tier 2 substances must instruct personnel about that person’s obligations under various provisions of the 2014 Regulations, for example regulation 8 (general obligations on licence holders). “Tier 1 substance” is defined in regulation 3(2) of the 2014 Regulations. “Tier 2 substance” is defined in regulation 4(2) of the 2014 Regulations, as substituted by regulation 7(b) of these Regulations.
These Regulations also contain, in regulations 3 to 10 and 12 to 19, amendments to the 2014 Regulations made to implement the Precursors Regulation in Northern Ireland. The Precursors Regulation applied in Northern Ireland from 1st February 2021.
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen. A de minimis impact assessment is available from the Northern Ireland Office at 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ and published with the Explanatory Memorandum alongside this instrument on www.legislation.gov.uk.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2026/89 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/control-of-explosives-precursors-etc-amendment-regulations-northern-ireland-2026
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.