Explosives Regulations and the Industry

Licences and Certificates for Manufacturing

List of Forms

Factory Licence

The guidelines and standards developed by ERD must be followed when a site for the manufacture of explosives is developed. Factories that manufacture ammunition, propellants, rockets, fireworks and packaged explosives have unique requirements and fee structures. Please contact canmet-erd@nrcan.gc.ca for the schedule of these fees.

The minimum requirements for bulk explosives facilities (PDF 486 kb) sets out the minimum requirements for factories and satellites among others.

Equipment Trial Permission

A trial consists of testing of new equipment. Trials are only permitted at existing licensed factories. To conduct a trial, simply submit a letter requesting approval. There are no fees related to this process.

Blasting Explosives Satellite Site Certificate

Satellite sites are base factory extensions. They do not have all the privileges of a base factory. Satellites may not be over 800 kilometres away from their base factory or over 200 kilometres away from any customers. The fee for this certificate is $200 per month.

Blasting Explosives Demonstration Certificate

Demonstrations are trials at new customer locations with existing technology and products. They are allowed at temporary sites with a maximum duration of two months. Temporary or satellite sites used for demonstrations are not subject to base factory distance limitations.

Mechanical AN/FO Certificate

Mechanical AN/FO Certificates are granted to companies that use powered equipment to produce AN/FO that is discharged directly into a borehole at a specified location, mine or quarry owned by the company to which the certificate is issued. The sale, storage or packaging of mixed product is not allowed. One process vehicle is permitted per certificate. The fee is $800.

Non-Mechanical AN/FO Certificate

This certificate applies to the manual mixing of AN/FO for immediate use by the owner/operator of a quarry or mine site. It is regulated under the “Ammonium Nitrate And Fuel Oil Order” of the Explosive Act. The sale, storage or packaging of mixed product is not allowed. The fee is $75.

The forms and guidelines for these licences are available on the List of Forms. Copies can also be obtained through canmet-erd@nrcan.gc.ca.

Ammunition Cartridge Loading or Reloading Certificate

This certificate establishes procedures for the custom loading or reloading of ammunition for sale to the public at a place other than a licensed factory. The fee is $75.

The forms and guidelines for these licences are available on the List of Forms. Copies can also be obtained through canmet-erd@nrcan.gc.ca.