ATF Online - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

Explosives Industry Programs Branch

Branch Responsibilities

The Explosives Industry Programs Branch (EIPB) is responsible for the classification of explosive materials (27 CFR 555.202) and the interpretation of the regulations codified under 27 CFR, Part 555. The EIPB is also responsible for issuing rulings, determinations, opinions, and variances relating to explosives. In addition, the EIPB issues the List of Explosives on an annual basis, the Explosives Newsletter, and special notices on an as needed basis.

EIPB serves as the primary point of contact for other Governmental agencies for explosives regulatory issues. It participates in liaison activities such as industry seminars, training presentations for industry symposiums, and workshops.

EIPB develops and maintains relationships with explosives industry associations such as the Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME), the National Fire Protection Associations (NFPA), the International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE), the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA), the Pyrotechnics Guild International (PGI), the Tripoli Rocketry Association (TRA), The Fertilizer Institute (TFI), and the National Association of Rocketry (NAR).

Finally, EIPB includes the Explosives Relief of Disabilities Section (EROD), which handles questions and comments related to the application for restoration of explosives privileges. The section is also responsible for maintaining these applications and for coordinating background investigations with ATF’s special agents.

For any comments or answers to questions, please contact the EIPB at 202-648-7120. For questions regarding Relief of Disabilities, please contact the EROD section at 202-648-7110. Questions for both the EIPB and EROD can also be e-mailed to EIPB@atf.gov. Please put “EROD” in the subject line for all EROD questions.

Important Links

Relief from Disabilities

Click here.

Federal Explosives Laws

Safe Explosives Act Information

Implementation of the Safe Explosives Act - Interim Rule (03/20/03)

Common and Contract Carriers No Longer Have to Complete an Explosives Delivery Record Form (9/11/03)

The Department of Justice issued an interim rule today removing the requirement that common or contract carriers taking possession of explosive materials for delivery to a licensee or permittee complete ATF Form 5400.8 (Explosives Delivery Record) prior to taking possession of explosive materials. Read entire text
- Recent Regulations Issued by the Department of Transportation and the Transportation Security Administration on Commercial Transportation of Explosives (8/11/03)
  
  On May 2, 2003, and on June 9, 2003, the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) promulgated three interim final rules and a notice generally exempting from 18 U.S.C. § 842(i) the transporting, shipping, receiving, and possessing of explosives incident to and in connection with the commercial transport of explosives by motor carrier, water, and air and rail. Read entire text.
- Explosives Transportation Issues Related to the Safe Explosives Act
  
  On February 3, 2003, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), an agency of the Department of Transportation (DOT), issued a regulation regarding the transportation of explosives by commercial motor vehicles and railroads. See 68 Fed. Reg. 6083 (February 6, 2003) (to be codified at 49 C.F.R. pt. 1572). The regulation sets forth rules for the lawful commercial transportation of explosives into the United States from Canada by railroad and commercial motor carrier not using United States citizens or lawful permanent residents as drivers or railroad crews (2/11/03). Read entire text.

Important Interpretation Letters Click here.

Rulings

2007-3 Preloading and Temporary Storage of Blasting Agents on Bulk Delivery Vehicles
2007-2 Temporary Storage of Display Fireworks
2007-1 Maintaining Required Explosives Records in Computerized Form
2006-1 Temporary Emergency Variations from the Explosives Marking Requirements
2005-3 - Meaning of Term 'Inhabited Building'
2005-2 Meaning of Term "Highway"
2004-3 Locking Requirements for Indoor Type 4 Storage Magazines; Alternate Methods or Procedures; Emergency Variations from Requirements
2003-5 Distribution of Explosives to Limited Permittees
2002-4 Indoor Storage of Explosives in Business Premises Directly Adjacent to a Residence or Dwelling
2002-3 Indoor Storage of Explosives in a Residence or Dwelling

Special Notices and Open Letters to the Industry

Requesting Variances, Exemptions, and Determinations

Requests for variances, exemptions and determinations may either be submitted to your local ATF Field Office or may be submitted to the following address:

Explosives Industry Programs Branch
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
99 New York Avenue, NE.
Mailstop 6E405
Washington, DC 20226

Frequently Asked Questions

General QA
Licenses and Permits QA
Storage QA (Updated 12/01/03)
Scenario QA
Questions and Answers - Hobby Rocket Motors (8/09/04)
Questions and Answers Update - Hobby Rocket Motors (2/21/06)