RO–a–UK–6

Subject: Increase of maximum net mass of explosive articles permissible in EX/II vehicles (N13). Reference to Annex I, Section I.1, to this Directive: 7.5.5.2. Content of the Annex to the Directive: Limitations on quantities carried for explosive substances and articles. Content of the national legislation: Limitations on quantities carried for explosive substances and articles. Initial reference to the national legislation: Carriage of Explosives by Road Regulations 1996, reg. 13, Schedule 3. Comments: UK Regulations allow a maximum net mass of 5000 kg in Type II vehicles for Compatibility Groups 1.1C, 1.1D, 1.1E and 1.1J. Many articles of Class 1.1C, 1.1D, 1.1E and 1.1J being moved in Europe are large or bulky and exceed about 2,5 m in length. They are primarily explosive articles for military use. The limitations on the construction for EX/III vehicles (which are required to be closed vehicles) make it very difficult to load and unload such articles. Some articles would require specialist loading and unloading equipment at both ends of the journey. In practice, this equipment rarely exists. There are few EX/III vehicles in use in the UK and it would be extremely onerous on industry to require further specialist EX/III vehicles to be constructed to carry this type of explosive. In the UK military explosives are mostly carried by commercial carriers and are thus unable to take advantage of the exemption for military vehicles in the Framework Directive. To overcome this problem, the UK has always permitted the carriage of up to 5000 kg of such articles on EX/II vehicles. The present limit is not always sufficient because an article may contain more than 1000 kg of explosive. Since 1950 there have been only two incidents (both in the 1950s) involving blasting explosives with a weight above 5000 kg. The incidents were caused by a tyre fire and a hot exhaust system setting fire to the sheeting. The fires could have occurred with a smaller load. There were no fatalities or injuries. There is empirical evidence to suggest that correctly packaged explosive articles would be unlikely to ignite due to impact, e.g. from vehicle collisions. Evidence from military reports and from trials data on missile impact tests shows that it needs an impact velocity in excess of that created by the 12 metre drop test to bring about the ignition of cartridges. Present safety standards would not be affected. Expiry date: 30 June 2015.

← anx_I__cpt_1__cpt_3__cpt_1__cpt_8__cpt_5__text_8 · All articles · anx_I__cpt_1__cpt_3__cpt_1__cpt_8__cpt_6__text_1 →

Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-10-29 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.