Information > Engines > Legal
This section contains legal information on the purchase, storage and shipping of rocket motors and
other accessories classed as explosive. This text includes changes made on the 4th Dec 2007 by HSE.
It may seem a bit daunting at the start, but understanding the legal basics for rocketry isn't that bad.
Due to the explosive classification of many items we use in rocketry, you do need to understand some of the
issues with regard these items, their categories and the restrictions on purchase and use.
Here are some definitions, terms and regulations that you will hear spoken off. Ideally you should at least be
aware of them:
- UN Number
The United Nations hazardous classification number. This number is very important as it
is the main factor that decides on which purchasing, storage and shipping restrictions and
regulations apply to a product. The UN number for any hazardous products are clearly shown in
our online store.
- UN Class
The United Nations hazardous classification class is used to group UN numbers
and is used in transportation and storage regulations. UN numbers are grouped into
classes which categorise their characteristics and very often the level of danger
of the item. Explosives are defined as hazard class 1. Within the explosives
hazard class 1, they are further divided into divisions. Within each division
UN numbers are then grouped into Compatibility Groups. For example: UN Hazard Class
1.4S is for class 1, division 4, compatibility group S. Further information can be found on the
UNECE website.
- Control Of Explosives Regulations 1991 (COER)
This regulation defines the restrictions on the possesssion of explosives. Effectively
it defines which explosives require an explosives licenses and at what quantities.
A very important part of COER is the famous Schedule 1 which defines the explosives
items that do not require an explosives license for quantities less than 5Kg. This effectively is the regulation
that allows Estes and other small items to be possessed without an explosives license in small quantities.
- Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005 (MSER)
This regulation defines the restrictions on the manufacturer and storage of explosives.
The manufacturer part isnt relevant for rocketeers, but the storage parts define
which UN numbers require Storage Licenses or Storage Registration and for what
quantities.
- Placing on the Market and Supervision of Transfers of Explosives Regulations 1993 (POMSTER)
This regulation defines the restrictions with regards to the selling and transfer
of explosives. The 2 key areas of this law for rocketeers are the CE marking and the rules
regarding transfer which defines the need for the Recipient Competent Authority document (RCA).
Several UN numbers are exempt from the requirements of CE marking and an RCA because they are classed
as pyrotechnic articles which are exempt from this regulation. A full list of those definitely exempt
and those which may be exempt (subject to examination by the Notified Body) are listed in an HSE
Guidance Note.
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The following table shows a list of the UN numbers relevant to rocketry and which products fall under
each one.
| UN # |
Class |
Items Covered |
| 0101 |
1.3G |
Quickmatch |
| 0103 |
1.4G |
Mantitor |
| 0105 |
1.4S |
PIC |
| 0161 |
1.3C |
Pyrodex Range (P, Triple Se7en, RS) |
| 0186 |
1.3C |
Cesaroni 75, 98, 150 Reloads |
| 0272 |
1.3C |
Aerotech Reloads (New) |
| 0275 |
1.3C |
Aerotech RMS 54,75,98 Reloads
Congreve Reloads |
| 0349 |
1.4C |
Aerotech Single Use |
| 0351 |
1.4C |
Aerotech HL Reloads
Aerotech RMS 29,38 Reloads
Cesaroni 38,54 |
| 0432 |
1.4S |
Micromax motors
Estes A-D |
| 0454 |
1.4S |
Estes Igniters
Davy Igniters |
| 0471 |
? |
? |
| 0499 |
1.3C |
Pyrodex Pellets |
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It is great news for rocketeers in Great Britain. Thanks to years
of discussions between UKRA and the HSE,
no or very little paperwork is now required for most rocketeers enjoying this great hobby. All
model, mid and even some smaller high powered engines can now be purchased without an Explosives
License, just an RCA is required for transportation purposes.
Rocketeers who wish to fly large K motors and above or store a large amount
of engines or black powder, or fly rocket motors not contained in the list of exempted engines will
still require paperwork.
The law in summary states that any person over the age of 18 is allowed to purchase and store a
combined total of 5kg of explosives if that explosive is contained within a list of exemptions.
Please note that with regard rocket motors the weight is the net propellant weight and not the gross
weight which will include packaging. If you do not know the net propellant weight, then the law
states that you must assume one quarter of the product weight is propellant.
Rather than you having to know all the UN numbers for the motors, we have put together a simple list
of all the available UK motors. Here is a list of all the common items and engines used by rocketeers.
Items that are listed in COER Schedule 1 do not require an explosives license. Items defined as
pyrotechnic articles are exempt from the need for CE marking and an RCA.
| Type |
Manufacturer |
Description |
UN # |
RCA Req. |
Exp Lic Req. |
| Fuse |
ICI |
PIC |
0105 |
Yes |
No < 5Kg |
| Fuse |
Estes |
Igniters |
0454 |
Awaiting |
No < 5Kg |
| Fuse |
- |
Quickmatch |
0101 |
No |
No < 5Kg |
| Fuse |
- |
Mantitor |
0103 |
Yes |
Yes |
| Powder |
- |
Pyrodex |
0161 |
Yes |
No < 5Kg |
| Misc |
- |
Pyrodex Pellets |
0499 |
Yes |
Yes |
| Powder |
- |
Black Powder |
0027 |
Yes |
Yes |
| Motor |
Micromax |
Very small |
0432 |
No |
No < 5Kg |
| Motor |
Estes |
A to D power |
0432 |
No |
No < 5Kg |
| |
| Motor |
Aerotech |
Single Use Motors |
0349 |
Awaiting |
No < 5Kg |
| Motor |
Aerotech |
Hobby Line 18,24,29mm |
0351 |
Yes |
No < 5Kg |
| Motor |
Aerotech |
29,38mm RMS |
0351 |
Yes |
No < 5Kg |
| Motor |
Aerotech |
54mm RMS |
0275 |
Yes |
No for motors < 1Kg and total < 5Kg
Yes for motors > 1Kg |
| Motor |
Aerotech |
75,98mm RMS |
0275 |
Yes |
Yes |
| |
| Motor |
Cesaroni |
38mm Reloads |
0351 |
Yes |
No < 5Kg |
| Motor |
Cesaroni |
54mm Reloads |
0351 |
Yes |
No for motors < 1Kg and total < 5Kg
Yes for motors > 1Kg |
| Motor |
Cesaroni |
75,98mm Reloads |
0186 |
Yes |
Yes |
| |
| Motor |
Congreve |
24,29,38mm Reloads |
0275 |
Yes |
No paperwork for < 5Kg |
| Motor |
Congreve |
54mm Reloads |
0275 |
Yes |
No paperwork for motors < 1Kg
Yes for motors > 1Kg |
We would like to once again stress that the 5kg limit is a COMBINED limit. Some acceptable example
combinations would therefore be:
- 1Kg assorted fuses and Quickmatch, 2Kg of Estes A-D and 2Kg of Aerotech, each Aerotech
being less than 1Kg net propellant.
- 5Kg of assorted AP engines from Aerotech and Cesaroni, each one being less than 1Kg net
propellant.
A common question is, how big is a motor with 1Kg of net propellant. The answer
is a K impulse motor. Some of the smaller K motors are just below 1Kg, the larger K motors being
above it.
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Most model rocketeers will require no paperwork, however rocketeers will probably need an RCA for
mid power rocketry and some small high powered rockets. If you wish to do a lot of high powered rocketry
or wish to fly the larger engines, then you will probably need a full Explosives License and RCA.
- Explosives License
This document is required if you wish to store Black Powder, or if
you wish to store an engine over 1kg of net propellant or you wish to store over 5kg of net
propellant of rocket motors. There are 2 types of Explosive License, an "Acquire and Keep"
and an "Acquire Only".
The "Acquire Only" type is currently free, but as the name suggests this
will only allow you to purchase an engine at an event. You will not be able to remove it
from the event and store it off the premises.
The "Acquire and Keep" allows you to store the engines offsite at
your house or maybe an alternative premises. The Explosives license entitles you to
store up to a potential maximum of 20kg of explosives. Beyond this amount you will require the
additional Registered Store Certificate and also safe distances will apply.
The price will vary from county to county depending on your local Firearms officers. Some
counties are free of charge.
The Explosive License, irrelevant of type is issued by your Local Firearms Officer.
- Recipient Competent Authority Transfer Document (RCA)
This document is issued by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and
does not cost anything. It is free of charge currently. This document allows you to
transport the explosives on your explosives license between your explosives license
address and other events or registered stores. You only need an RCA to transport items
listed that require an Explosives License.
- Registered Store Certificate
This document is required if you wish to store more than the 20kg
allowance offered by your explosives license. Typically you will not need one of these
unless you are selling engines or you wish to keep a large amount of them. Again the
price will vary from county to county depending on your local Firearms officers. Some counties it
is free of charge.
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Up until 4th Dec 2007, there has always been a list of explosives that are exempt from COER
(explosives certificate) up to 5Kg. These have traditionally been small items, such as fuses, igniters
and very low power Black Power motors, such as Estes. This exemption list is known as Schedule 1. Any
item on this schedule does NOT require an explosives license up to a combined total of 5Kg net propellant.
For a full list, see HSE
Schedule 1.
On the 4th Dec 2007, HSE created an exemption to COER for articles with UN
numbers 0186, 0272, 0349, 0351 and 0471, provided that:
- each individual article contains no more that 1 kg (net mass) of explosive
- the article is intended to be used in the propulsion of model rockets
- they are kept in a safe and suitable place
On the 4th Dec 2007, HSE created an exemption to MSER (Registration/Storage License) to allow
people to keep up to 5 kg (net mass) of articles with UN numbers 0186, 0272, 0349, 0351 and 0471 without
the need for a registration or storage licence provided that:
- each individual article contains no more that 1 kg (net mass) of explosive
- the article is intended to be used in the propulsion of model rockets
- they are kept in a safe and suitable place
Also MSER was altered to allow exemption from the separation distance requirements
if a rocketeer keeps a small amount of shooters powder with less than 5 Kg of AP motors.
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To help you obtain your RCA document, we have put together a simple template letter that you can
alter (in the appropriate places) and send off or email to
explosives.licencing@hse.gsi.gov.uk. The
letter includes all the information for the exempted engines and also includes UN numbers for other
common items that are exempt from the need for an explosives license e.g. quickmatch, igniters,
Estes motors and PIC.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The following template letter is ONLY for use by rocketeers who
wish to take advantage of the exemptions. If your usage does not fall under the
exemptions (i.e. you want motors larger than 1Kg, or you want more than 5Kg, or they
are not for use in model rockets, or you need to include other items that require an
explosives license, then you CANNOT use this letter without modification.
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When your order is being shipped, we require a Certified copy of your RCA in
order to attach to the parcel. This is required by law. To make a Certified
copy, just simply photocopy it, and then write on it, "This is a certified copy".
Then sign it, date it and post it to us. Certified copies cannot be scanned and
emailed to us, the certified copy must be a photocopy with an original signature.
If you wish to send us several certified copies for us to keep on file for
future orders, then please feel free to do so. However please ensure you don't
sign it and then photocopy it, it won't be accepted. Unfortunately you must write
the wording, signature and date in original hand on each photocopy.
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With so many motors in production now, a common question is how do we know
which ones are legal for the UK market. We have compiled a list to allow you
to check.
UK Motor List
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