The explosives for civil use Directive sets essential safety requirements for explosives. The "United Nations Recommendations on the transport of dangerous goods" describes all substances and materials that may be considered as such to be "explosives".

Explosives (including munitions) that are intended for use in accordance with national legislation by the armed forces or the police therefore do not fall within the scope of application of the Directive.

The explosives for civil use Directive came into force on 1st January 1995 and will become a legal obligation on 1st January 2003. So at present the Directive is in a transition period, although manufacturers and importers of explosives for civil use are already able to bring their products in line with the essential safety requirements of the Directive.

The essential safety requirements for explosives for civil use are divided into general requirements and the special requirements. The general requirements relate to, among other things, the design, so that the explosives constitute only a minimal danger for the health and safety of persons. The special requirements relate to, for example, the shock and friction-sensitivity, chemical purity of the explosive, etc.