Northern Ireland Office launches consultation on proposed amendments to the Control of Explosives Precursors etc. Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014
The Northern Ireland Office is seeking views on proposed amendments to the Control of Explosives Precursors etc. Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 to strengthen the control of explosive precursors in Northern Ireland and bring in similar measures to those found in Great Britain.
The Government is considering introducing secondary legislation to amend the Control of Explosives Precursors etc. Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (the 2014 NI Regulations) to strengthen the control of explosive precursors in Northern Ireland, bringing in similar measures to those in Great Britain under the Control of Explosives Precursors and Poisons Regulations 2023. The aim of this proposal is to ensure there is a consistent level of protection against the misuse of these substances across the UK.
The amendments to the law in Great Britain brought in by the Control of Explosives Precursors and Poisons Regulations 2023 were identified following a detailed review of the legislation relating to controls of explosives precursors and poisons following the Manchester Arena and Parsons Green explosives attacks in 2017, and strengthened the safeguards that are in place to prevent the illicit use of explosives precursors.
Furthermore, in order to facilitate dual access to both the UK Internal Market and the EU Single Market, Northern Ireland continues to apply Regulation (EU) 2019/1148 (the 2019 Regulation) on the marketing and use of explosives precursors under the terms of the Windsor Framework. The 2019 Regulation, and the duties imposed on individuals and businesses, have applied in Northern Ireland since 1 February 2021, but consequential changes to the 2014 NI Regulations are required to ensure the 2019 Regulation is fully implemented.
The consultation will run for 12 weeks and provide the public and wider interested parties with the opportunity to have their say on the proposed amendments to the Control of Explosives Precursors etc. Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014.