5 step examination / assignment for new explosives

As recommended by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, this is the basic 5 step process any new explosive, except those that are produced by the United States Department of Defense, or the United States Department of Energy. New explosives must be examined and assigned a recommended shipping description, classification, and compatibility group by an agency authorized by the Associate Administrator to do so.

This examination and recommendation involves a 5-step process:

1. The producer of the new explosive submits appropriate data to the examining agency and requests advice on proper procedure to be followed in making a sample available for examination;
2. The examining agency provides written instructions, including a tentative shipping description and classification, on making the sample available for examination;
3. A sample is made available, utilizing the examining agency instructions for shipment (as permitted by 173.56(d));
4. Test results and recommendations of the examining agency are submitted to the producer of the new explosive;
5. The test results and recommendations are submitted to DOT in support of an application for a formal Classification of Explosives.