Views sought on proposed amendments to the Control of Explosives Precursors etc. Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014.
The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) is seeking views on proposals to strengthen the control of explosive precursors in Northern Ireland and bring in similar measures to those found in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). The aim is to ensure there is a consistent level of protection against the misuse of these substances across the United Kingdom.
Explosives precursors are chemical substances that can be used for legitimate purposes, for example in agriculture, horticulture, mining, quarrying, food production, science and education. However they can be misused to manufacture homemade explosives in certain concentrations.
Recent amendments to the law in GB 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.
NI 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, in order to facilitate dual access to both the UK Internal Market and the EU Single Market. The 2019 Regulation, and the duties imposed on individuals and businesses, have applied in NI since 1 February 2021, but consequential changes to the 2014 NI Regulations are required to ensure the 2019 Regulation is fully implemented.
Find out more about the consultation and how to respond.
The consultation will close to responses at 5pm on Tuesday 19 August 2025.
First published 2 June 2025
