Mar. 31 – Canada: Restricted Components Regulations

From Canada’s Ministry of Natural Resources, and recently printed in the Canada Gazette. The full text of the regulations is available here. A few key details:

What it covers:

The following components of an explosive are prescribed for the purpose of the definition “restricted component” in section 2 of the Act:

(a) ammonium nitrate in solid form at a concentration between 28 and 34% nitrogen;

(b) hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of at least 30%, UN numbers: 2015 and 3149;

(c) nitromethane, UN number: 1261;

(d) potassium chlorate, UN number: 1485;

(e) potassium perchlorate, UN number: 1489;

(f) sodium chlorate in solid form, UN number: 1495;

(g) nitric acid at a concentration of at least 68%, UN numbers: 2031 and 2032;

(h) potassium nitrate, UN numbers: 1486 and 1499; and

(i) sodium nitrate in solid form, UN numbers: 1498 and 1499.

[Section 3 of the Act]

These components will no longer be available for sale in Canada:

No person shall sell a restricted component except in accordance with these Regulations.

[Section 4 of the Act]

Unless the seller is on the list of sellers of restricted components:

Only persons who are enrolled on the list of sellers of restricted components may sell a restricted component.

A person may be enrolled on the list of sellers by applying to the Chief Inspector using the form provided by the Minister. The application must include

(a) the applicant’s name, address, telephone number, facsimile number and e-mail address;

(b) the restricted components that the applicant intends to sell;

(c) the locations where restricted components are to be stored or sold, and the storage capacity at each location for each component; and

(d) the name, telephone number, facsimile number and e-mail address of a contact person for each location where the restricted component is to be stored or sold.

[Sections 5 and 6 of the Act]

There are some exceptions:

These Regulations do not apply to the sale of restricted components to laboratories that are a part of or affiliated with a

(a) post-secondary educational institution recognized by a province;

(b) hospital or health clinic; or

(c) federal or provincial government or government agency.

[Section 2 of the Act]

The restrictions on Ammonium Nitrate come into effect on June 1, 2008 and the restrictions on all other chemicals come into effect on March 1, 2009:

(1) These Regulations, other than Part 1, come into force on June 1, 2008.

(2) Part 1 comes into force on March 1, 2009.

[Section 36 of the Act

Note: Part 1 has the title SECURITY — RESTRICTED COMPONENTS OTHER THAN AMMONIUM NITRATE]

The above is just a few of the key points of the Regulations. Please refer to the full text – available here.