Explosives Security MarkingsThe Need for a Globally Harmonized Format

Who we are

We are the IME

• Founded in 1913, we are the Institute of Makers of Explosives• We are a safety and security institute of the commercial

explosives industry• Our mission is to promote safety, security and the protection

of employees, users, the public and the environment and to encourage the adoption of uniform rules and regulations in the manufacture, transportation, storage, handling, use and disposal of explosive materials used in blasting and other essential operations

• Although our members are based in North America, IME member companies operate globally with operations and distribution points on all continents except Antarctica

Our members

• Members• Accurate Energetic Systems, LLC• Austin Powder Company• Baker Hughes, Inc.• Davey Bickford USA Inc.• Detotec North America, Inc.• DYNAenergetics, US, Inc.• Dyno Nobel Inc.• General Dynamics - OTS Munitions• GEODynamics, Inc.• Hunting Titan, Inc• Jet Research Center/Halliburton• Maine Drilling & Blasting• Maxam North America, Inc.• MP Associates, Inc.• MuniRem Environmental LLC• Nelson Brothers, Inc.• Nobel Insurance Services• Orica USA Inc.• Owen Oil Tools LP• Safety Consulting Engineers

• Members• Secured Land Transport• Senex Explosives. Inc.• SLT Secured Systems International, LLC• Special Devices Inc• Teledyne RISI• Tread Corporation• Tri-State Motor Transit Company• Vet's Explosives, Inc.• Visionary Solutions LLC/Interstate Ventures, Inc.• W.A. Murphy, Inc.

• Liaison Class Members• Canadian Explosives Industry Association (CEAEC)• Explosives Safety and Technology Society - Visfotak,

India • Federation of European Explosives Manufacturers

(FEEM)• International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE)• SAFEX International (SAFEX)

Why we need explosives security markings

• Enable more accurate and efficient management of transport and inventory

• Improve the ability of law enforcement to identify last legal owner of recovered explosives

• Because traceability is improved, makes marked explosives less desirable to criminals and terrorists

• Reduces likelihood of theft of explosives during transport, storage and use

The problem

• Some countries such as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, European Union States, India, Kazakhstan, Peru, Russian Federation, and the United States of America already require them

• Current marking formats are not globally harmonized resulting in:• Interpretation difficulties• Tracing difficulties• Inventory difficulties• Increased costs and risks, and resulting reduction in safety, due

increased handling of explosives necessitated by trying to accommodate disparate marking formats

IME’s solution to the problem

• A globally harmonized format for explosives security markings that ensures the globally efficient and accurate understanding of the information provided

• An international body to sponsor the marking format

Our partners & supporters

• The following organizations have contributed to the development of the IME proposal and work with IME to gain support for the proposal:• The Joint IED Defeat Organization of the U.S. Department of Defense

(JIEDDO)• The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)• The Joint Improvised Explosive Device Analysis Centre (JIEDAC)• The Federation of European Explosives Manufacturers (FEEM)• SAFEX International• International Society of Explosives Engineers• Canadian Explosives Industry Association (CEAEC)• Explosives Safety and Technology Society - Visfotak, India

What we propose

• A single, globally harmonized format to be used whenever explosives security markings are required.

• A marking format based upon the one already in use in the European Union

• This is the format we propose …

Code components

• Two components: a) human readable and b) electronic readable • The human readable part will include the manufacturer name,

country and manufacturing site codes, and product identification codes

• The electronic readable part will be a bar code or matrix code incorporating themanufacturer, country, site,and product identificationcodes

• Examples are shownat right

Who we’ve approached

• UN Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods• Concept discussed and endorsed at the 43rd Session (June

2013) by both the working group on explosives and the Sub-committee

• EWG and TDG agreed that there is no better place for such a recommendation than its Model Regulations

• Formal proposal submitted to 45th Session (June 2014)• Based on comments from 45th Session, an expanded proposal

was submitted to the 46th Session (December 2014)

IME’s proposal to the UN TDG

• IME proposed to add a new section to chapter 1.4 (Security) of the Model Regulations

• IME’s proposal is limited to explosives on the indicative list of high consequence dangerous goods

• IME’s intent is only that a harmonized format for security markings be endorsed

• IME’s intent is to leave implementation issues to national authorities

UN TDG status and issues

• Awaiting a new proposal from IME considering comments from 46th Session

• New proposal is likely for the 48th Session (December 2015)

• Main issues to be resolved are:• Does this belong in the Model Regulations• How deep to go into implementation issues• Coordination with implementation of and conflict with the

EU system

UN TDG support needed

• IME needs support at the UN TDG from the following to ensure approval of its proposal• The USA (PHMSA)• Canada• EU Member Nations• The European Commission• All others

Other possible sponsors

• UN Security Council• Initial contact by JIEDAC

• Global Partnership against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction (Global Partnership)

• World Customs Organization• International Organization for Standardization (ISO)• Chief Inspectors of Explosives

Why your help is important

• IME recognizes the important influence of this group in protecting the public by the safe and secure use, transport and storage of explosives

• This group’s support for a globally harmonized format for explosives security markings could be instrumental in achieving this important goal

What can the Chief Inspectors of Explosives do?

• Advocate for support for global harmonization of the format

• Contact their TDG delegation and advocate for support for the IME proposal

• Advocate for use of the format by their countries

Reference documents

• UN/SCETDG/43/INF.18: 43rd Session inquiry to UN TDG

• ST/SG/AC.10/C.3/2014/5: 45th Session proposal to UN TDGUN/SCETDG/45/INF.28: Additional information

• ST/SG/AC.10/C.3/2014/62: 46th Session proposal to UN TDGUN/SCETDG/46/INF.9: Additional information

Note: all of the above are located on the UNECE Transport of Dangerous Goods website at: http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/danger.html

Contact IME

• IME UN ConsultantDavid W. BostonInstitute of Makers of ExplosivesP.O. Box 765Godley, TX 76044-0765dboston@ime.org +1.817.551.0660

• IME HeadquartersInstitute of Makers of Explosives1120 19th Street, NW, Suite 310Washington, DC 20036info@ime.orgwww.ime.org +1.202.429.9280