CELEX 02008R1272 · v20250901

2.17. Desensitised explosives

2.17.1.1.

Desensitised explosives are solid or liquid explosive substances or mixtures which are phlegmatised to suppress their explosive properties in such a manner that they do not mass explode and do not burn too rapidly and therefore may be exempted from the hazard class ‘Explosives’ (see also paragraph 3 in section 2.1.4.1) ( 14 )

2.17.1.2.

The hazard class of desensitised explosives comprises:

(a)

Solid desensitised explosives: explosive substances or mixtures, which are wetted with water or alcohols or are diluted with other substances, to form a homogeneous solid mixture to suppress their explosive properties.

NOTE: This includes desensitisation achieved by formation of hydrates of the substances.

(b)

Liquid desensitised explosives: explosive substances or mixtures, which are dissolved or suspended in water or other liquid substances, to form a homogeneous liquid mixture to suppress their explosive properties.

2.17.2. Classification criteria

2.17.2.1.

Any explosive while in a desensitised state shall be considered in this class unless, in that state:

(a)

It is intended to produce a practical explosive or pyrotechnic effect;

(b)

It has a mass explosion hazard according to test series 6 (a) or 6 (b) or the corrected burning rate according to the burning rate test described in part V, subsection 51.4 of the UN RTDG, Manual of Tests and Criteria is greater than 1 200 kg/min; or

(c)

The exothermic decomposition energy is less than 300 J/g.

NOTE 1: Substances or mixtures, which meet the criterion (a) or (b) in their desensitised state shall be classified as explosives (see Section 2.1). Substances or mixtures which meet the criterion (c) may fall within the scope of other physical hazard classes.

NOTE 2: The exothermic decomposition energy may be estimated using a suitable calorimetric technique (see section 20, sub-section 20.3.3.3 in Part II of the UN RTDG, Manual of Tests and Criteria).

2.17.2.2.

Desensitised explosives shall be classified and packaged for supply and use in one of the four categories of this class depending on the corrected burning rate (Ac) using the test ‘burning rate test (external fire)’ described in Part V, sub-section 51.4 of the UN RTDG, Manual of Tests and Criteria, according to Table 2.17.1:

Table 2.17.1.

Criteria for desensitised explosives

Category	Criteria
1	Desensitised explosives with a corrected burning rate (AC) equal to or greater than 300 kg/min but not more than 1 200 kg/min
2	Desensitised explosives with a corrected burning rate (AC) equal to or greater than 140 kg/min but less than 300 kg/min
3	Desensitised explosives with a corrected burning rate (AC) equal to or greater than 60 kg/min but less than 140 kg/min
4	Desensitised explosives with a corrected burning rate (AC) less than 60 kg/min

Note 1: Desensitised explosives shall be prepared so that they remain homogeneous and do not separate during normal storage and handling, particularly if desensitised by wetting. The manufacturer/supplier shall give information in the safety data sheet about the shelf-life and instructions on verifying desensitisation. Under certain conditions the content of desensitising agent (e.g. phlegmatiser, wetting agent or treatment) may decrease during supply and use, and thus, the hazard potential of the desensitised explosive may increase. In addition, the safety data sheet shall include advice on avoiding increased fire, blast or projection hazards when the substance or mixture is not sufficiently desensitised.

Note 2: Explosive properties of desensitised explosives shall be determined by test series 2 of the UN RTDG, Manual of Tests and Criteria, and shall be communicated in the safety data sheet.

Note 3: For the purposes of storage, supply and use, desensitised explosives do not fall additionally within the scope of Sections 2.1 (explosives), 2.6 (flammable liquids) and 2.7 (flammable solids).

2.17.3. Hazard communication

Label elements shall be used for liquid or solid substances or mixtures meeting the criteria for classification in this hazard class in accordance with Table 2.17.2.

Table 2.17.2.

Label elements for desensitised explosives

	Category 1	Category 2	Category 3	Category 4
GHS Pictogram
Signal word	Danger	Danger	Warning	Warning
Hazard statement	H206 Fire, blast or projection hazard; increased risk of explosion if desensitising agent is reduced	H207 Fire or projection hazard; increased risk of explosion if desensitising agent is reduced	H207 Fire or projection hazard; increased risk of explosion if desensitising agent is reduced	H208: Fire hazard; increased risk of explosion if desensitising agent is reduced
Precautionary statement Prevention	P210 P212 P230 P233 P280	P210 P212 P230 P233 P280	P210 P212 P230 P233 P280	P210 P212 P230 P233 P280
Precautionary Statement Response	P370 + P380+ P375	P370 + P380+ P375	P370 + P380+ P375	P371 + P380 + P375
Precautionary Statement Storage	P401	P401	P401	P401
Precautionary Statement Disposal	P501	P501	P501	P501

2.17.4. Additional classification considerations

Figure 2.17.1.

Desensitised explosives

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2.17.4.1.

The classification procedure for desensitised explosives does not apply if:

(a)

The substances or mixtures contain no explosives according to the criteria in Section 2.1; or

(b)

The exothermic decomposition energy is less than 300 J/g.

2.17.4.2.

The exothermic decomposition energy shall be determined using the explosive already desensitised (i.e.: the homogenous solid or liquids mixture formed by the explosive and the substance(s) used to suppress its explosive properties). The exothermic decomposition energy may be estimated using a suitable calorimetric technique (see Section 20, sub-section 20.3.3.3 in Part II of the UN RTDG, Manual of Tests and Criteria).

▼B

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2.17. Desensitised explosives