I've just received the following email from the HSE:
Dear working group member
HSE is pleased to announce that the Explosives Regulations 2014 have been laid before parliament and will come into force on 1st October 2014. The regulations are available to view at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/1638/contents/made.
The ELR team would like to take the opportunity to thank you all for your support and contributions to the programme of work, allowing us to reach this stage.
and referring to the regulation in question, it is still listed as:
6. (1) Subject to paragraph (2), no person may manufacture explosives unless that person holds a licence for that manufacture and complies with the conditions of that licence.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to—
(a)the manufacture of explosives for the purpose of laboratory analysis, testing, demonstration or experimentation (but not for practical use or supply) where the total quantity of explosives being manufactured at any time does not exceed 100 grams, but nothing in this sub-paragraph is to be taken as authorising any acquisition or keeping of explosives for which an explosives certificate is required by virtue of regulation 5, without such a certificate;
Which all mean that the regulation 6(2)(a) has made it through to the final regulations untouched with all the exemptions for experimentation! Its good news because the exemption is still present in the regulations - without our input, there was a good chance it wouldn't be there!
Mission accomplished!
I'm still working on the good practice guidance and I'll let you know where to download this as soon as it comes available.
Cheers,
Wayne.