§ 555.109 Identification of explosive materials.

  1. a.(a) Each licensed manufacturerGeneral. Explosive materials, whether manufactured in the United States or imported, must contain certain marks of explosive materials shall legibly identify by marking all explosive materials he manufactures for sale or distribution. The marks required by this section must identify the manufacturer and the location, date, and shift of manufacture. The licensed manufacturer shall place on each cartridge, bag, or other immediate container of explosive materials manufactured for sale or distribution the required mark which shall also be placed on the outside container, if any, used for their packaging.identification.

  2. b.(b) Exceptions.Required marks—

    1. 1.(1) Licensed manufacturers. Licensed manufacturers who manufacture explosive materials for sale or distribution must place the following marks of blasting caps are only required to placeidentification on explosive materials at the identification marks prescribed in paragraph (a) on the containers used for the packagingtime of blasting caps.manufacture:

      1. i.(i) The name of the manufacturer; and

      2. ii.(ii) The location, date, and shift of manufacture. Where a manufacturer operates his plant for only one shift during the day, he does not need to show the shift of manufacture.

    2. 2.(2) The Director may authorize other means of identifying explosive materials upon receipt of a letter application from the licensed manufacturer showing that other identification is reasonable and will not hinder the effective administration of this part.Licensed importers.

      1. i.(i) Licensed importers who import explosive materials for sale or distribution must place the following marks of identification on the explosive materials they import:

        1. A.(A) The name and address (city and state) of the importer; and

        2. B.(B) The location (city and country) where the explosive materials were manufactured, date, and shift of manufacture. Where the foreign manufacturer operates his plant for only one shift during the day, he does not need to show the shift of manufacture.

      2. ii.(ii) Licensed importers must place the required marks on all explosive materials imported prior to distribution or shipment for use, and in no event later than 15 days after the date of release from Customs custody.

    3. 3.(3) The Director may authorize the use of other means of identification on fireworks instead of marks prescribed in paragraph (a) of this section.

  3. c.(c) General requirements.

    1. 1.(1) The required marks prescribed in this section must be permanent and legible.

    2. 2.(2) The required marks prescribed in this section must be in the English language, using Roman letters and Arabic numerals.

    3. 3.(3) Licensed manufacturers and licensed importers must place the required marks on each cartridge, bag, or other immediate container of explosive materials that they manufacture or import, as well as on any outside container used for the packaging of such explosive materials.

    4. 4.(4) Licensed manufacturers and licensed importers may use any method, or combination of methods, to affix the required marks to the immediate container of explosive materials, or outside containers used for the packaging thereof, provided the identifying marks are legible, permanent, show all the required information, and are not rendered unreadable by extended periods of storage.

    5. 5.(5) If licensed manufacturers or licensed importers desire to use a coding system and omit printed markings on the container that show all the required information specified in paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section, they must file with ATF a letterhead application displaying the coding that they plan to use and explaining the manner of its application. The Director must approve the application before the proposed coding can be used.

  4. d.(d) Exceptions—

    1. 1.(1) Blasting caps. Licensed manufacturers or licensed importers are only required to place the identification marks prescribed in this section on the containers used for the packaging of blasting caps.

    2. 2.(2) Alternate means of identification. The Director may authorize other means of identifying explosive materials, including fireworks, upon receipt of a letter application from the licensed manufacturer or licensed importer showing that such other identification is reasonable and will not hinder the effective administration of this part.