New Explosives and Fireworks Regulations: Import and Destruction Requirements

In a move aimed at strengthening public safety and security, the Saudi Ministry of Interior has published the executive regulations for the Explosives and Fireworks Law on the "Istilaa" platform, enabling the public and relevant authorities to provide their feedback. This step comes as part of the Kingdom's efforts to modernize its security legislation in line with Vision 2030, ensuring a safe and stable environment that supports economic development and major projects that rely on these materials in infrastructure and mining operations.

Organizational context and its security importance

This regulation is of paramount importance given the sensitive nature of the materials it governs. Through these precise controls, the Ministry seeks to tighten oversight of the entire lifecycle of explosive materials, from import and transport to storage, use, and disposal. This meticulous regulation aims to prevent any violations that could harm national security or public safety, as well as to regulate the burgeoning market for fireworks and firecrackers used in recreational and sporting events in the Kingdom.

Licensing and safe storage requirements

The new regulations stipulate strict procedures for issuing permits. Applications are subject to review by specialized committees comprised of representatives from the Weapons and Explosives Department and the Criminal Investigation Department. These committees conduct on-site inspections to ensure compliance with safety requirements. The regulations specify permit durations of four years, renewable, when issued by the Director of Public Security, and two to three years when issued by the District Police Chief.

Regarding storage, the regulations set out precise technical standards, including:

• Leave gaps between the stacks of explosives of no less than 90 cm.
• Leave a distance of at least 50 cm between the walls and the stacks to ensure ventilation.
• Prevent opening boxes inside the warehouse and use non-sparking tools when necessary.
• Keep any machinery that may emit sparks away from the perimeter of the warehouses and remove the surrounding weeds.

Regulating transportation and banning the Hajj season

The regulations paid particular attention to the transport of explosives, stipulating that it must be carried out under direct security supervision. To ensure the safety of pilgrims, the regulations prohibited the transport of explosives in the Makkah and Madinah regions from Dhul-Qa'dah 20 to Dhul-Hijjah 25, and in the rest of the Kingdom from Dhul-Qa'dah 30 to Dhul-Hijjah 20. They also required transporters to notify Saudi Interpol and the National Center for Security Operations at least two weeks before international shipments cross the border.

Import conditions and financial guarantees

The regulations stipulate 13 conditions and controls for importing fireworks, most notably that the importer must be a Saudi national or a company owned by Saudis with at least 51% Saudi ownership, and must have a clean criminal record. The regulations also stipulated:

• Providing an unconditional bank guarantee of 200,000 riyals in favor of the Ministry of Interior for a period of 5 years.
• Providing comprehensive insurance coverage against potential damages.
• Providing an economic feasibility study and an electronic inventory control system.

Destruction and control protocols

The regulations established six strict controls for the destruction of explosives and fireworks. The process can only be carried out in the presence of a committee comprising representatives from the Civil Defense, the Red Crescent, and technical specialists. The implementing bodies are required to document the process with photographs and videos and prepare official reports, ensuring the site is completely cleared of any hazardous waste to guarantee that no environmental or security impact is left after the destruction process.