The central task of the Testing and Evaluation of Explosives and Pyrotechnics division is the testing, evaluation, and expert advice regarding all aspects of use and handling of explosives, including articles containing explosives, and pyrotechnic articles subject to the German Explosives Act.

The division also performs approval tasks for pyrotechnic ammunition in accordance with the Law on the Testing and Approval of Firearms, Firecrackers, Devices using Ammunition for Propulsion, Ammunition and Other Weapons (BeschussgesetzG) and is responsible for the classification and evaluation of Class 1 substances and articles in accordance with the Law on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (Gefahrgutbeförderungsgesetz). Based on these legal responsibilities, the department is the authority in Germany for classifications (transport, storage), for approvals (blasting accessories, pyrotechnic ammunition) and for intra-community transfer approvals of explosives.

Furthermore, explosive substances from the research and development are evaluated whose origin ranges from accident investigations and illegal (criminal) handling to articles being extracted from articles meant for disposal, including those of military origin.

In this area the division is involved in research activities jointly with partners from enforcement authorities in Germany, and from national and international institutes with a similar scope of work, aiming at enhancing safety and security of explosives, articles containing explosives, and pyrotechnic articles.

The division has outstanding expertise in the field of safety assessment for the storage of explosives and pyrotechnic articles. In addition, it actively participates in safety-related standardization and rulemaking in the national and international framework and advises state and federal ministries and law enforcement agencies. The division is also actively contributing to the establishment of safety standards and regulations in a national and international context and provides expert advice to local and federal ministries of the German government.

further information

Dr. rer. nat. Gabriele Dudek, Head of Section Accreditation and Conformity Assessment, Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM)

Contact Dr. rer. nat. Gabriele Dudek