Written by François Théron (1st edition),

Pipe bomb makers workshop with tools
© bruiser / Fotolia

Since 2008, in line with its action plan to enhance the security of explosives, the European Union has considered regulating chemicals that could be used to produce homemade explosives to be a priority. A first legislative act in this regard – Regulation (EU) No 98/2013 on the marketing and use of explosives precursors – was adopted in 2013.

The 2015 Paris and 2016 Brussels terrorist attacks and their operating modes, which were based on the use of homemade explosives, led to an assessment of the efficiency of the 2013 regulation. To take into account existing challenges, and increase stakeholders’ ability to implement and enforce restrictions and controls under the regulation, the European Commission launched its revision in February 2017. On 17 April 2018, it adopted a proposal for a new regulation on explosives precursors.

Following trilogue negotiations, an agreement between the European Parliament and the Council was reached on 5 February 2019. The Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), approved the agreed text on 19 February 2019. The vote in plenary is due to take place in April 2019.

Versions

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the marketing and use of explosives precursors, amending Annex XVII to Regulation No 1907/2006 and repealing Regulation(EU) No 98/2013 on the marketing and use of explosives precursors
Committee responsible: Civil liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) COM(2018) 209 of 17.4.2018
Rapporteur: Andrejs Mamikins (S&D, Latvia) 2018/0103(COD)
Shadow rapporteurs: Tomáš Zdechovský (EPP, Czech Republic)
Helga Stevens (ECR, Belgium)
Nathalie Griesbeck (ALDE, France)
Marina Albiol Guzmán (GUE/NGL, Spain)
Bodil Valero (Greens/EFA, Sweden)		 Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’)
Next steps expected: First-reading vote in plenary

Visit the European Parliament homepage on the fight against terrorism.

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/security/20180703STO07127/the-eu-s-fight-against-terrorism