Explosives Regulations amended — safety and fireworks

Summary#

These are the Regulations Amending the Explosives Regulations, 2013 (SOR/2024-77). They update many rules about how explosives and fireworks are defined, made, moved, sold and stored in Canada. The amendments took effect on the day they were registered (May 3, 2024) and were published in the Canada Gazette on May 22, 2024.

What it does#

• Adds a new definition (for example, misfire) and explicitly lists a new material — UN 3375, AMMONIUM NITRATE EMULSION, GEL, OR SUSPENSION — as an explosive.
• Lets some documents be sent electronically instead of on paper.
• Raises the minimum age for most explosive work from 17 to 18.
• Creates a new low-risk fireworks category called type F.5 — novelty devices (e.g., sparklers, party poppers). It sets separate storage, sale and use rules for them.
• Changes how certain explosives can be imported or moved for the Department of National Defence and cooperating armed forces if specific conditions are met.
• Allows results or classifications from foreign testing authorities to support temporary authorizations for explosives.
• Tightens rules for reactive targets (long‑range target kits):
  • Only people with a Firearms Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) can buy them.
  • Limits storage to 6 kg (down from 20 kg).
  • Sets strict rules for mixing and use (one kit at a time, follow package instructions, don't add foreign matter, no storage after mixing).
• Changes transportation rules for carriers and drivers:
  • Vehicles carrying large loads must meet stronger containment and safety standards.
  • Vehicles with 1,000 or more detonators or at least 2,000 kg of certain explosives must have tracking and communications.
  • Under specific conditions, some bulk loads may be monitored electronically instead of attended in person (applies to UN 0332 and UN 3375 in bulk).
  • New reporting duties after accidents; some follow-up reports must be given to the Chief Inspector of Explosives (including a follow-up TDG report within 30 days for pumping incidents).
• Reduces some reporting burdens:
  • Removes certain annual reporting requirements and replaces them with record-keeping obligations for two years.
• Tightens screening and licence rules:
  • Expands accepted security clearances to include an Employee Possessor Clearance from the U.S. ATF for workers with a valid Canadian work permit.
  • Allows the Minister to refuse or cancel licences, permits or certificates where there are reasonable safety or security concerns, and creates a 30‑day review window to challenge those decisions.
• Updates many storage limits and handling rules for specific products:
  • Black powder must be in original containers and no more than 500 g per container.
  • Maximum black powder in detached storage units set to 25 kg.
  • New rules for sellers, retailers and users of consumer fireworks, display fireworks, propellant powders and other categories to reflect risk and modern practice.
• Miscellaneous cleanup:
  • Removes outdated requirements (for example, asking for a fax number).
  • Fixes inconsistencies between English and French text.

Who's affected#

• Manufacturers and importers of explosives and fireworks.
• Carriers, freight companies and drivers who transport explosives.
• The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces when moving military explosives.
• Retailers and distributors of consumer fireworks and novelty devices.
• People who buy or use reactive targets and propellant powder.
  • Buyers of propellant powder who do not hold a fireworks operator certificate must show a PAL or a public agency ID (PAIN) when buying.
• Pyrotechnicians, fireworks display teams and licensed users.
• Holders of licences, permits and approval letters under the Explosives Regulations, 2013.
• Small businesses in the explosives and fireworks supply chain (the government estimates about 2,256 small businesses are affected).
• The general public in communities where fireworks, reactive targets or storage rules matter (e.g., nearby residents, event attendees, emergency responders).

If it’s unclear whether a specific person or business is covered by a rule, the regulations themselves or NRCan guidance should be checked.

Why it matters#

• Safety: The changes aim to reduce real risks — for example by limiting reactive target storage and tightening black powder container sizes — which addresses incidents that have caused large wildfires and property damage in the past.
• Security and screening: Expanded and clearer screening rules and the Minister’s new refusal/cancellation powers are intended to reduce the chance that people who pose a risk get access to high‑hazard explosives.
• Transport and theft prevention: New vehicle, tracking and electronic‑monitoring rules are meant to reduce theft and accidental incidents while explosives are on the road.
• Less paperwork in some areas: Removing certain annual reports and allowing electronic submission should save industry time and money. The government’s cost‑benefit analysis found net benefits and calculated a net present value of $5,182,762 (over a 10‑year period), with annualized benefits of $850,950 and estimated total present value benefits of $5,976,717 against present value costs of $793,955.
• Everyday effects: For consumers, the new novelty device category may make low‑risk items like sparklers easier to buy year‑round (subject to local rules). For shooters, mixing and using reactive targets now carries stricter limits and licensing checks. For businesses, some new duties (like accident reporting or extra proof for certain hires) may mean extra steps, while other changes reduce administrative burden.

If you work with, sell, move or use explosives or fireworks, you should review the updated rules or NRCan guidance to see what specific new steps you must follow.