Explosives Regulations

Enabling Act(s)

Explosives Act

Rationale

The purpose of the Regulatory Review of the Explosives Regulations, 2013 is to further modernize the Regulations according to the Government of Canada’s Regulatory Modernization agenda.

Narrative

NRCan launched a comprehensive Regulatory Review of the Explosives Regulations, 2013 in spring 2021 to further modernize the Canadian explosives regulatory regime. The key objectives of the Review are to establish Regulations that are up-to-date and aligned with risk, that are able to keep pace with change, and provide more efficient service delivery.

Phase 1 of the Review focused on set up and significant policy research and analysis, including an outreach campaign to stakeholders to seek views on current regulatory irritants. This was followed by the development of proposed amendments to address research findings and stakeholder feedback. The next phase is to consult stakeholders on proposed amendments with the goal of bringing-into-force all amendments before the end of 2024.

Date of last review or amendment

NRCan conducted a comprehensive review of the Explosives Regulations in 2012 that resulted in new Explosives Regulations, 2013.

In November 2018 a set of amendments that came into force that enhanced the safety and security of handling explosives at Canadian ports and wharves, as well as miscellaneous minor amendments.

Currently, NRCan is bringing forward an amendments package focused on strengthening Canada’s security regime by updating the list of regulated explosives precursor chemicals, otherwise known as restricted components. These proposed amendments were published in the Canada Gazette Part II in June 2022 and will come into force on June 3, 2023.

Targeted start for review

The Regulatory Review of the Explosives Regulations, 2013 was launched in spring 2021 and is expected to be completed with the coming-into-force of a series of amendments by the end of 2024.

Stakeholder Feedback

Following the launch of the Regulatory Review of the Explosives Regulations, 2013, NRCan conducted outreach with stakeholders to announce the Review and the plan going forward, and to seek views on current regulatory irritants. In the feedback received, stakeholders expressed support for the Review and its modernization goals and identified areas of the Regulations that required update or renewal. NRCan conducted an extensive consultation with stakeholders on the first set of proposed amendments in spring 2022 which again was generally positive. NRCan intends to launch another stakeholder consultation in spring 2023 on the final set of regulatory amendments.

Outcomes

Although the Regulatory Review of the Explosives Regulations, 2013 is not yet complete, it is expected that the Regulations will simply be amended to meet modernization goals.

For further information

For further information, please contact NRCan’s Explosives Program at ERDmms@nrcan.gc.ca.

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