Track & Trace of Explosives
In Accordance with EU Directive 2008/43/EC
EU Directive 2008/43/EC stipulates that all commercially used explosives must be fully and electronically traceable from manufacturer to use. This requirement for the so-called track and trace of explosives has been mandatory for all companies that handle explosives since April 5, 2015.
As part of this directive, manufacturers are obliged to clearly label each explosive using a data matrix code. This marking forms the basis for continuous traceability across the entire supply and usage chain.
The requirements for an EDP-based explosives stock book can be summarized as follows:
- Recording of barcodes for unique identification of the explosives
- Management of article master data, supplier master data, usage master data and recipient master data
- Retrieve and display the current stock level
- Target/actual comparison possible at any time
- Proof of use of the individual explosives must be possible at all times
- No subsequent changes to the stock ledger possible
- 365/24 Obligation to provide evidence
- 10-year archiving and verification obligation
Explosives User
Use of explosives – requirements for end users
Since April 2015, the EU Labelling Directive has also applied to end users of explosives. From this date, they are obliged to be able to provide complete information on the use and whereabouts of all explosives used.
Labeling obligation for users
To implement the directive, each individual item must be recorded with its unique identification code – including the date of receipt and date of use. For very small quantities, this can be done by hand, but the use of an electronic database is recommended. This is the only way to clearly prove the use and whereabouts of each article – such as a detonator.
If an electronic database is used, the data matrix code affixed to the article and packaging can be scanned and transferred directly. Please note: The code on cartons or boxes only contains information on the type and quantity of the contents – not the individual identification codes of the items contained. However, these are essential for traceability.
XML file from the supplier – digital support for goods receipt
To avoid having to open all boxes and scan items individually when goods are received, manufacturers have agreed on a standardized digital delivery bill in XML format. This file contains all the individual items of the delivery, including unique identification codes and information on the assignment of the items to the respective boxes or crates.
If the XML file is read into the database, there is no need to manually scan each individual item – a considerable simplification, especially when picking entire cartons later.
Mandatory XML file and input control
As an electronic stock ledger must show all items individually in accordance with the EU directive, it is imperative that the XML file is available with the delivery at the latest. If it is missing, all items would have to be recorded manually – which is not only time-consuming, but can also lead to gaps in the stock.
The system is based entirely on the individual identification codes. Therefore, a random incoming goods inspection should be carried out for every delivery. All you need to do is scan individual boxes or crates with the scanner. The software compares the codes with the information from the XML file and immediately shows whether any incorrect containers have been delivered by mistake.
Explosives Dealer
Explosives dealers form the link between explosives manufacturers and explosives users. Furthermore, explosives dealers are often also active as service providers, carrying out blasting services for some of their customers.
As explosives dealers, they are subject to similar legal requirements as manufacturers. You can apply for a unique manufacturer code from BAM
(Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing) to create new packaging units or new products yourself. However, it is important to note that a new label may not be added to an article that already has a unique label. The clear labeling may not be changed from production to destruction.
Detonator storage
In contrast, it is customary to assemble detonator bundles individually for each customer. The required detonators are then put together individually especially for individual blasts and provided with a new Datamatix code. The same often happens in the powder trade, where different types of powder are combined in new packaging and provided with a data matrix code.
The explosives trader, like the explosives manufacturer, should deliver his goods with a supplier XML file. This is not a legal requirement, but a voluntary service provided by explosives manufacturers and dealers. Without this supplier XML file, however, the entire tracking process can only be accomplished with disproportionate effort.
Explosives Manufacturer
The labeling directive has been binding for manufacturers of explosives since April 5, 2013. This means that all explosives used commercially must bear a clear, electronically readable label. This label contains the following information, among others:
- The name of the manufacturer,
- the country of manufacture,
- the place of manufacture,
- a unique product code.
A Data Matrix code is now used uniformly by all manufacturers. Quite a lot of information can be stored in the code and it offers a certain error tolerance if part of the label is no longer legible.
This Data Matrix code can be read with suitable 2D hand-held scanners and the information can be processed by track and trace software. In addition to the information mentioned above, each manufacturer can store further information in the data matrix code.
The EU directive stipulates that each article must bear a clear and unmistakable label. This means that each individual cartridge and each individual detonator must be given a unique identification code.
In order to be able to check whether parts have been removed from a packaging unit, the packaging units must also be labeled in such a way that the contents can be identified. This means that the content of the data matrix code, which is attached to a box for example, shows how many detonators and which ones are in the box. However, the data matrix code does not provide any information about the unique identification codes of the detonators contained.
