The Explosives Industry Group (EIG) of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) exists to represent an inform its members on all topics of explosive legislation in the UK. The membership of some 90 companies comes from such diverse elements of the industry as

• MOD and AWE and Qinetiq
• Manufacturers of high explosives
• Transporters of explosives
• Fireworks and Pyrotechnics manufacturers, importers and users

The EIG is not a trade association, nor is it a professional body with professional examinations for membership - it is open to all. It exists to promote explosives safety, and to liaise with Government and other bodies in drafting and refining legislation and guidance for the Explosives Industry. EIG has an excellent working relationship with HSE, DTI, DETR and the Home Office, and although we might not always be able to persuade them of our cause, we have been extremely influential in ensuring that new and revised legislation is practical and workable - often we have been able to demonstrate problems with legislation before it is too late! To assist in this quest, the EIG has a very active sub-group, the Pyrotechnic Sub Group which meets to raise issues of interest across the Pyrotechnics Industry. All members of the EIG are kept informed of legislative and other developments by regular Newsletters, and by meetings. EIG members also beneft from access to private areas of this website.

Outside Groups with EIG representation include

• EIG/HSE Ad Hoc committee - a place to raise explosives enforcement concerns to both the Explosives Inspectorate and Policy branches. The Ad Hoc committee also commissions working parties on, for instance, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Management Competence; and also organises the past meetings with the Firework Industry around the country
• EIG Explosives Transport Working group - looking at the development of CER and the incorporation of ADR into UK law
• WP15 Transport UK Briefing Group
• British Standards Committee - looking at revisions to the existing British Standard, and the development of the European Standard for Fireworks Parliamentary Firework Group - working with MPs to improve Safety Standards within the Firework Industry
• Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations (MSER) - membership of both the steering committee and the working parties developing MSER; also working on implementation of COMAH Advisory Committee on Dangerous Substances - membership of this important group formulating the UK approach to law on explosives and other dangerous substances
• ACDS - the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Substances (and several subgroups)
• Transport by Air of Dangerous Substances Working Party
• Explosives Notified Body Management Committee

Membership of the EIG brings a voice to raise your concerns on all these committees and allows the EIG representatives to reflect the concerns of the whole industry in their discussions and meetings with legislators. Membership also brings the advantage of direct access to the three CBI commissioners to the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) - a unique position. Raising objections at the stage of a Consultative Document is rarely productive - it is much better to get draft law workable before that stage.

The EIG is administered by the General Management Committee (GMC), elected from the wide membership. Ian MacKintosh MBE, the recently appointed chairman of the EIG, stressed the importance of the EIG's role in his address to the AGM. Support and contributions from members ensure that a representative and effective voice is heard by legislators.