EU Regulation 2019/1148
Definition
The European Union regulation on the marketing and use of explosive precursors, restricting public access to hydrogen peroxide above 12%, nitric acid above 3%, ammonium nitrate above 16% N, and other listed precursors. Replaced the 2013 regulation with stricter thresholds following the 2015-2017 European TATP attacks.
- In force
- 1 February 2021
- Key thresholds
- Ammonium nitrate 16%N, hydrogen peroxide 12%, nitric acid 3%
- Replaces
- EU Regulation 2013 on explosive precursors
- Core requirement
- Mandatory suspicious transaction reporting for listed precursor sales
Common questions
What substances does EU Regulation 2019/1148 actually restrict?+
The regulation limits public access to ammonium nitrate above 16%N, hydrogen peroxide above 12%, and nitric acid above 3%. Sellers must report suspicious purchases of these and other listed precursor substances. The restrictions apply across EU member states and came into force on 1 February 2021.
Why did the EU create this regulation?+
The 2015-2017 period saw TATP attacks across Europe. The regulation replaced the 2013 precursor rules with stricter thresholds to make it harder for unauthorized persons to source explosive precursors. It balances legitimate industrial and commercial use with public safety.
What must sellers do under the regulation?+
Retailers and distributors must restrict public access to the listed precursors above the thresholds and report transactions they believe are linked to unauthorized explosives use. The regulation mandates suspicious transaction reporting for Annex II substances.
Related terms
- ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil)
- A low-sensitivity bulk explosive mixture of prilled ammonium nitrate (94 per cent by weight) and fuel oil (6 per cent). The primary...
- HMTD (Hexamethylene Triperoxide Diamine)
- A peroxide explosive analogue of TATP, synthesised from hexamine (hexamethylenetetramine), hydrogen peroxide, and citric acid. Similar sensitivity profile. Detected by LC-MS/MS as...
- TATP (Triacetone Triperoxide)
- A cyclic peroxide explosive (C9H18O6) synthesised from acetone, hydrogen peroxide, and an acid catalyst. Sensitive to friction, heat, shock, and prolonged storage....
- Urea Nitrate
- An ionic explosive salt formed by neutralisation of urea with nitric acid. Detonation velocity approximately 3,400 m/s. Used in the 1993 World...
- Ammonium Adduct [M + NH4]+
- The dominant ionisation form of TATP in positive-mode ESI LC-MS when ammonium acetate or formate is present in the mobile phase. TATP...
- Ammonium Nitrate Security Program (ANSP)
- A US DHS/CISA program mandated by the 2008 Farm Bill requiring registration of ammonium nitrate facilities and verification of purchaser identity. A...
- Chapman-Jouguet Pressure
- The detonation pressure at the reaction zone/product interface in a steadily propagating detonation. For ANFO at operational density, approximately 5 GPa (versus...
- DADP (Diacetone Diperoxide)
- A six-membered ring peroxide co-product of TATP synthesis. Less stable than TATP. Detected alongside TATP in post-blast samples where the synthesis conditions...
- IMS Positive-Ion Mode
- An operating mode for ion mobility spectrometry instruments in which analyte ions are formed with positive charge through proton attachment or ammonium...
- India Ammonium Nitrate Rules 2012
- Rules promulgated under the Explosives Act 1884 by the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry, requiring PESO licences for import, manufacture, storage,...
- PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation)
- The Indian regulatory authority under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry that administers the Explosive Substances Act 1908 and subordinate rules, including...
- Sublimation Hazard
- The tendency of TATP and HMTD to convert directly from solid to vapour at ambient temperature and pressure, reducing residue availability at...
Explained in these topics
- Homemade Explosives: TATP, HMTD, Urea Nitrate and Precursor ControlThe current EU framework governing marketing and use of explosive precursors, in force from 1 February 2021. Restricts public access to ammonium nitrate above...
- Improvised Explosives: TATP, ANFO, Urea Nitrate and Modern IEDsThe European Union regulation on the marketing and use of explosive precursors, restricting public access to hydrogen peroxide above 12%, nitric acid above 3%,...