Frequently asked questions about the electronic Licence Management System

The eLMS is an online application for individuals and organizations to submit or renew applications, check the status of submissions, make online payments, and access and amend their information.
The system is user-friendly, and a help desk is available to help you use the eLMS or to solve any problems you experience while accessing the eLMS. To sign up for eLMS, access Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) portal for eServices (ePortal) and enrol in Explosive Services.

The services currently available are:

• Authorization of explosives
• Import, export and in-transit permits
• Restricted components enrolment
• Fireworks operator certificate
• Manufacturing licence or certificate (including mobile process units)
• Security screening (approval letters)
• Storage licensing
• Incident reporting

You can apply for authorization, permits, licences, certificates and restricted components enrolment through the eLMS. You can also amend, renew and upgrade these approvals, make fee payments and submit any required reports.

By using the eLMS, you have immediate access to all of your authorizations, permits, licences, enrolments and certificates. All services are available: starting an application, making payments, checking an application status, updating information and receiving approvals.

Once you submit a complete application with all of the required supporting documentation, the time it takes to process your application depends on its complexity, the need for testing and the need for additional information from an inspector. Find out more about our fees and service standards. Once your application has been reviewed, you will receive an email notification to login to the NRCan portal for eServices (ePortal) to view the results. If your application is approved, your authorizations and permits will be available to you immediately through the ePortal.

The system can be accessed by registering through the NRCan portal for eServices (ePortal) and enrolling in Explosive Services. 

There are two steps to enrol:

1. Users need to be authenticated in the NRCan’s secure NRCan portal for eServices (ePortal). The step-by-step process will guide you to a page where you will choose a secure Sign-in-Method.
2. Once you have been authenticated, you will do a one-time enrolment for Explosive Services.                                                                                              

In subsequent sessions, you need to sign in the NRCan portal for eServices, which will automatically give you access to the Explosive Services for which you previously enrolled.

The time it takes to submit depends on the size of the file(s) attached or the number of products being requested. Files larger than 5 MB, or an application with several thousand products, can take several minutes to submit. Do not continue or stop the processing until the submission is complete, as any interruption will result in Natural Resources Canada receiving an incomplete application. If a file or files are larger than 100 MB, or your application contains more than 8000 products, please contact the eLMS Help Desk at the toll-free number 1-855-912-0012 in Canada or the United States before submitting.

When an import permit is renewed or amended, only products that are authorized on that date are added to the permit. Products that were de-authorized between when the permit was issued and when it was amended or renewed are no longer permitted to be imported. They are therefore removed from the import permit. If you require products that have been de-authorized, please contact the eLMS Help Desk at the toll-free number 1-855-912-0012 in Canada or the United States.

You may choose to use a Government of Canada GCKey username and password or sign-in partners (banks). If you choose to use a sign-in partner (bank), the information you enter and which bank you are using are not shared with the government service you are trying to access. Similarly, information about the government service you are accessing is not shared with your bank. The Government of Canada uses bank sign-in partners to make your access convenient. Your existing credentials, such as your online banking credential, are familiar to you, as you may already use them on a regular basis. You don't have to remember a different user ID and password to access government services.

The electronic Licence Management System (eLMS) can be accessed using any web browser or mobile device. Confirm your browser settings before accessing the eLMS through Explosive Services at the NRCan portal for eServices (ePortal).

This could mean that your browser doesn’t meet the security standards. See Your Browser to verify the security level of your browser. If the security level does not meet requirements for the portal, you can upgrade the version of your browser or use a different browser. If you have made the necessary changes to meet the browser requirements but still cannot access the process, contact the NRCan eServices Help Desk at the toll-free number 1-855-912-0012 in Canada or the United States.

For technical problems, contact the NRCan eServices Help Desk at the toll-free number 1-855-912-0012 in Canada or the United States. For questions about licensing and other issues, contact:

Explosives Regulatory Division
National Headquarters
588 Booth Street, 4th Floor
Ottawa ON K1A 0Y7
Tel.: 1-855-912-0012
Email: ERDmms@nrcan.gc.ca

The Single Window Initiative streamlines border crossing and data transfer to the Natural Resources Canada’s Explosives Regulatory Division. Importers and brokers provide information to Canadian Border Services Agency, and data are sent to the electronic Licence Management System (eLMS). Learn more about the Single Window Initiative.

Yes. The eLMS stores information securely, as required by the Government of Canada under laws protecting the privacy of Canadians. The Natural Resources Canada’s Electronic Portal for eServices (ePortal) uses secure login credentials before you can access the eLMS. No one has access to the information except authorized Natural Resources Canada personnel or people authorized by the holder of an authorization or permit.

• Upon completion of your registration with NRCan eServices, you will receive an email indicating that your registration is complete. However, this does not mean that your application for a licence/certificate/enrolment/permit has been submitted.
• For restricted component enrolments, you must navigate to ‘My Companies’, click ‘Access’ next to your company name, and then click on ‘Restricted Component Enrolment’. This is where you will fill out and submit your application.
• For all other certificates, licences, and permits click on ‘My Companies’, then ‘Access’, and click on ‘Apply for a NEW Licence, Permit, or Certificate’ to access the application.

Please email ERDmms@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca or call us at 1-855-912-0012 if you would like to submit a paper form of your application.