The Purchase, Record and Storage of Precursor and Explosive Chemicals in China

What are precursor and explosive chemicals?

Precursor chemicals refer to chemicals that can be used as raw materials or auxiliary materials of drugs, such as hydrochloric acids, sulphuric acids, some organic matters, organic solvents, and few strong oxidants. Precursor chemicals can be subdivided into 3 categories, among which Categories 2 and 3 are commonly used in laboratories.

Explosive chemicals refer to chemicals that can be used as raw materials or auxiliary materials of explosives, including strong oxidants, combustible or flammable substances, strong reducing agents and some organic matters.

Here are some examples:

Precursor chemicals: hydrochloric acids, sulphuric acids and potassium permanganate (also can be regarded as an explosive chemical).

Explosive chemicals: nitric acid, perchloric acid, hydrogen peroxide, sodium peroxide, potassium dichromate and potassium borohydride. The whole list of precursor and explosive chemicals can be found in the APCISS ( https://apciss.hfoushi.com/ ) developed by CIRS Group.

Purchase of precursor chemicals

Approval Authorities

• Enterprises that purchase Category 1 (non-pharmaceutical) precursor chemicals shall be examined and approved by the public security department at provincial levels.
• Enterprises that purchase Category 2 and 3 (non-pharmaceutical) precursor chemicals shall be examined and approved by the public security department at county levels or above.

Purchase Procedures

1. Purchasers shall enter into the Purchase Contract with suppliers who have obtained the license to sell or operate the precursor chemicals;

2. Prepare relevant materials to apply for the filing certificate for the purchase of precursor chemicals at the local security departments or its online platforms;

3. The filling certificate shall be submitted to the salesmen after being approved. Then purchasers shall entrust suppliers to conduct the filling certificate for transportation of precursor chemicals;

4. Suppliers can arrange shipment after the transportation certificate is obtained.

Note: Individuals are not allowed to purchase Category 1 or Category 2 precursor chemicals.

Materials Required

Purchase enterprises

• A written application for purchasing precursor chemicals (indicating its category, quantity and intended uses);
• Business License;
• Photocopy of the ID Card of legal representatives and responsible person, and their contact information;
• Entrustment certificate, photocopy of the ID Card and contact information of the operators;
• The management system of precursor chemicals formulated by the enterprises;
• Basic information, photocopy of the ID card, and contact information of the warehouse keepers;
• Safety disposal plans in emergencies such as fire, theft and other incidents in the warehouse;
• Purchase Contract;
• Proof of legal use

Sales enterprises

• Photocopy of the business license;
• Photocopy of the ID card of the legal representatives, and their contact information;
• License for the manufacture/operation of hazardous chemicals;
• Filing certificate for the operation of precursor chemicals (non-pharmaceutical);

Notifications

Enterprises shall establish a management system for precursor chemicals and establish an account (for entry and exit registration) to record the category, quantity, use and inventory of the purchased chemicals. The record should be kept for two years.

Related enterprises shall send the purchase and use situations of the previous month to the public security department for record at the beginning of each month, and report the purchase and use situation in the previous year to the local public security department before March 31 every year.

Related enterprises shall organize personnel to learn the “Regulation on the Administration of Precursor Chemicals”, and strictly enforce the provisions of the “Regulation on the Administration of Precursor Chemicals” and the “Administrative Measures for the Purchase and Transport of Precursor Chemicals”.

Purchase of explosive chemicals

Approval Authorities

The purchase of explosive chemicals shall be approved by the public safety department at county levels or above.

Purchase Procedures

Purchasers shall enter into a contract with manufacturers who are qualified to sell explosive chemicals and fill in the “Record Form for Purchasing Explosive Chemicals”. Photocopy of the contract, enterprise business license and the qualification certificate (the latter two are only needed for first cooperation) are needed are needed for the purchase of explosive chemicals. The “Record Form of Circulation Information on Explosive Chemicals” shall be submitted in duplicates with one for reservation and the other one for suppliers to purchase. The purchased chemicals shall be put in storage after the delivery.

Note: Individuals are prohibited to purchase explosive chemicals.

Materials Required

1. Business license of the buyers and the sales contract;

2. Operation license of hazardous chemicals (only required for dealers, and the products purchased must be listed in the scope of operation license);

3. The Entrustment Certificate with name, specification, quantity and intended use of explosive chemicals purchased, as well as the photocopy of the ID card and telephone number of the entrusted person;

4. Template of legal use proof and Notice on Purchasing Explosive Chemicals.

Notifications

Payment for explosive chemicals shall be made through a public account. Cash payment is not available.

For products purchased repeatedly, a lawful use certificate in the above documents is sufficient.

Purchasers shall report the category, quantity and circulation information of the explosive chemicals to the local public security department at the county level for filing within 5 days after the purchase.

Storage and management of precursor and explosive chemicals

Storage of Precursor Chemicals: The precursor chemicals shall be kept in the storage room with burglarproof doors and windows. The storage room must be equipped with video surveillance whose footage shall be kept for over 3 months. The storage room shall have two keys kept by two people respectively. The entry and exit of precursor chemicals shall be recorded in the management system and shall be updated in a timely manner.

Storage of explosive chemicals: The explosive chemicals shall be kept in the storage room with burglarproof doors and windows. The storage room shall be equipped with two keys kept by two people respectively. The entry/exit sheet and record form shall be filled in promptly. The stock shall be counted regularly with the signature of the two administrators. In addition, the entry and exit of explosive chemicals shall be recorded in the public security management information system for explosive chemicals.

Other security measures: Video surveillance is required. Videos shall be kept for over 3 months; basic protection facilities such as regular electronic patrol system, is needed; regular safety training and anti-terrorism emergency drills, etc.

Summary

For hazardous chemicals, especially highly toxic chemicals, precursor chemicals and explosive chemicals, whose supervision and management covering production, operation, storage, use, transportation, import and export, relevant enterprises shall only conduct manufacture and operation after obtaining the relevant qualifications examined and approved by competent authorities.

It shall be highlighted that the purchase and use of precursor and explosive chemicals shall consult with the local public security department for confirmation and record purposes since the management of precursor and explosive chemicals varies in different regions. Behaviors for private purchase and use are prohibited.

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