Apply for a certificate of competency in accordance with the Explosives Act

If you handle explosive substances, you will need a certificate of competency.

If you want to handle explosive substances for a company, you need a certificate of competence in accordance with § 20 of the Explosives Act. The certificate of competence is particularly necessary if you work as an explosive agent or pyrotechnician or in explosive ordnance clearance.

Supervisors, in particular heads of an operations department, foremen, and warehouse managers, as well as persons who are appointed to bring explosive substances, to transfer them to others or to receive these substances from others, may only carry out their activities as responsible persons if they have a certificate of competence for the handling and/or traffic of explosive substances in accordance with the Explosives Act.

The holder of a certificate of competency for the handling and/or circulation of explosive substances can only be a natural person.

The regional councils of Darmstadt, Gießen and Kassel are responsible.

To the Enforcement Departments for Occupational Safety and Safety Technology at the Regional Councils of Darmstadt, Gießen and Kassel.

You can also complete the procedure electronically via the Point of Single Contact

• Proof of specialist knowledge (course certificate must be submitted in the original) upon reissue
• If applicable, proof of specialist knowledge (certificate of participation in a repeat course must be submitted in the original) in case of renewal
   

• Forms available: Yes
• Written form required: No
• Informal application possible: Yes
• Personal appearance required: No
• Online services available: Yes

In order to obtain a certificate of competence for the handling and circulation of explosive substances, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be at least 21 years of age to handle explosive substances.
• You must have a professional competence. The specialist knowledge is proven by a certificate that certifies successful participation in a state or state-recognised course.
• They need to be reliable. The required reliability is usually given if you have previously behaved in accordance with the law and have no criminal record.
• They must be personally suitable. You are personally suitable if you have no restrictions, e.g. in mental and physical health or due to drug or alcohol addiction.
• You must have German or EU citizenship.

Action before the Administrative Court within one month of service

• To be granted, you must submit an application and all the necessary documents.
• The documents are then examined by the competent authority.
• If you have any questions or uncertainties, the authority will contact you and, if necessary, invite you to a personal interview.
• After checking the documents, you will receive a notice of the decision and a fee notice with a request for payment as well as the certificate of competence in booklet form.
   

The certificate of competency is usually limited to 5 years. When applying for the extension, this deadline must be observed. An expired certificate of competency cannot be renewed.

The fee basis is a framework fee. This is 35.79 euros - 204.52 euros.

The amount of the fee is calculated on the basis of the effort required to process the application.
 

Fee from 55,00 EUR to 110,00 EUR (Information on cost composition can be found here)

If you carry out one of the following activities within the framework of your certificate of competency, you are obliged to regularly participate in state-approved refresher courses before the expiry of 5 years:

• execution of blasting work,
• production of explosive substances,
• activity in explosive ordnance disposal,
• transport of explosive substances in accordance with the regulations on dangerous goods,
• Burning of large fireworks,
• Demonstration of effects in theatres or similar establishments with pyrotechnic articles and sets
• Representation of effects in film and television production facilities with explosive substances

The certificate of competency entitles the holder to work for a company with a permit in accordance with § 7 of the Explosives Act. If the competent person wishes to be self-employed, an application for permission must be submitted in accordance with § 7 of the Explosives Act.
Changes affecting the certificate shall be notified to the competent authority without delay.