06/17/03 Dyno Nobel Acquires St. Lawrence/Hall Explosives...
(Oslo, Norway; Salt Lake City, Utah / Adams Center, New York, USA) Dyno Nobel, on June 11, purchased a majority ownership share in St. Lawrence Explosives, Inc. (SLE)....Full Story

06/13/03 Deadline for Filing Comments in response to NPRM 968 Extended...
It has come to the attention of the Society that the extension of the deadline for response to ATF’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking #968 was not published in the Federal Register as required. The minimum time for an extension following publication is two weeks. Therefore, the industry has at least two more weeks from June 13, 2003 (and possibly longer, depending on when the extension notice is finally published) to file responses to the Proposed Rule. The Society encourages all members of the explosives industry to review the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking included on the ISEE web site, What’s New page, and respond being sure to address the feasibility, benefit to security, and estimated cost of implementation of the proposed rules in your comments.

6/06/03 (Cleveland, OH) - ATF Response to ISEE/IME Request for Hearings on NPR 968...We must first evaluate all the comments received in response to the NPRM......... to date we have received approximately 1,200 comments...Download ATF Letter

6/06/03 (Cleveland, OH) - The International Society of Explosives Engineers announces it has extended the registration deadline for the St. Louis Regulatory Conference.....Full Story

May 2003
5/28/03 (Washington, DC) - ATF Issues Ruling 2003-5, Clarifying Distribution of Explosives to Limited Permittees... Distributors distributing explosive materials to holders of limited permits via common or contract carrier may verify receipt of the explosive materials by telephone, facsimile, e-mail, or other means within three business days of shipment in lieu of requiring the common or contract carrier to verify the identity of the person accepting delivery of the explosives. Download entire text.

5/02/03 (Cleveland, OH) - ISEE Posts Sample Letter for Members to Respond to ATF's Proposed Rule #968...The Society has today posted a sample letter to help members and other in the explosives industry respond to ATF's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that was issued in January.
Download Sample Letter in a Word Document
Download ISEE's Draft Comments in a Word Document

April 2003
04/29/03 (Cleveland, OH) - The International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE) announces sponsorship of its first Student Challenge. This event is open to both undergraduate and graduate students or student team entries. Download the PDF file for further information.

04/11/03 (Cleveland, OH) - ATF Responds to ISEE's Request for an Extension of Time...In response to ISEE's request, ATF has granted the industry an extension of time of 45 days to respond to The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Number 968. The new deadline is June 13, 2003.
ATF Letter Granting Extension of Time To Respond to Proposed Rule #968

04/03/03 (Cleveland, OH) - ISEE Calls for Extension of Time and Public Hearings to Respond to the Proposed Rule #968... The Society has requested a 90 day extension of time and has called on ATF to schedule a series of regional public hearings, to be hosted by ISEE and conducted by ATF, to allow time for the industry to address concerns raised by the NPRM #968. The proposed rule would dramatically revise the ATF Orange Book.
ISEE Letter of Request to Extend the Deadline and Schedule Public Hearings

March 2003
03/25/03 (Washington, DC) - DOT, RSPA has published the Final Rule under 49 CFR Part 172 on new requirements for security of hazardous materials transported in commerce. Shippers and carriers of certain highly hazardous materials must develop and implement security plans including employee training.

03/20/03 - Safe Explosives Act Regulations - Interim Final Rule Published
(Washington, D.C) - On Thursday, March 20, 2003, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) issued an interim final rule with request for comments. The Justice Department published the rule in Federal Register Vol. 68, No. 54, Pages 13767-13793. This is the interim final rule to implement the provisions of the Safe Explosives Act that was passed on November 25 as part of the Homeland Security Act of 2002. The interim rule will remain in effect until superseded by final regulations.

February 2003
02/20/03 - ATF has posted Corrections to Notice 968 - Commerce in Explosives (2/14/03)..Full Story
02/14/03 - ATF Open Letter Re: 01/29/03 Rulemaking...Full Story
02/03/03 - DOT Issues Regulations for Canadian Explosives Haulers...Full Story
02/02/03 - Fragblast Group becomes newest ISEE Section...Full Story

January 2003
01/29/03 - Federal Explosives Regulations - Notice of Proposed Rulemaking....Full Story

01/21/03 -ATF Licensing Reminder...Full Story

01/03/03 -The International Society of Explosives Engineers announces its newly elected Executive Committee and Board of Directors for 2003.... Full Story