Original document : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/licensing-for-home-users-of-explosives-precursors

Change description : 2025-05-21 11:40:00: Updated to reflect a change in the application process. [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2025-02-13 16:55:48.516571343 +00:00..2025-05-21 10:40:33.018112504 +00:00

Guidance

Explosives precursors and poisons licences: application guidance

Guidance for the public on how to apply for a licence to acquire, possess or use poisons or explosives precursors.

Documents

Details

If you want to acquire, import, possess or use certain chemicals, poisons or explosives precursors, you must have a valid explosives precursors and poisons (EPP) licence issued by the Home Office.

This document gives guidance to the public on:

  • which substances you need an EPP licence for
  • offences and penalties for not having a licence
  • how to apply for an EPP licence
  • how to renew, replace or amend a licence
  • licence costs
  • who needs a certificate of good conduct

Updates to this page

Published 5 August 2014

Last updated 1321 FebruaryMay 2025 + show href="#full-history">+ show all updates
    1. Section 'Application process' updated.

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Update history

2025-05-21 11:40
Updated to reflect a change in the application process.

2025-02-13 16:55
Section ‘Application process’ updated.

2023-05-19 10:10
Updated to reflect changes made by the Controls of Explosives Precursors and Poisons Regulations 2023, which come into force on 1 October 2023.