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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.

Updates to this page

From:
Home Office
Published:
5 August 2014
Last updated:
25 September 2026
Show all updates

  1. Updated 'Application process' section.

  2. Hexamine added.

  3. Updated information on application process.

  4. Application processing details have been updated.

  5. The concentration thresholds for regulated explosives precursors has been updated.

  6. Added a message to the 'Apply for a licence' section for users to check their junk folders for emails.

  7. Contact details have been updated.

  8. Updated guidance to explain how to correctly countersign supporting documents.

  9. Updated to reflect a change in the application process.

  10. Section 'Application process' updated.

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

  12. Updated 'renew a licence' section of guidance.

  13. Added content under 'Section 1 - regulated substances'.

  14. Amended part 5 to reflect the fact that Home Office EPP licences are no longer valid in NI following Brexit and to advise new procedure.

  15. Added content under 'Application process' section to clarify refusals processes.

  16. Updated guidance following a forthcoming change in legislation.

  17. Updated 'amend a licence' section of guidance

  18. Updated guidance published.

  19. Updated guidance

  20. First published.

Documents

Licensing for home users of poisons and explosive precursors

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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.

Make sure all scanned proof of address and identity documents for your EPP application are properly countersigned. Missing or incorrect signatures will delay your application.

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

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