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IIE EUExNet European Explosives Network Lifelong Learning Programme

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication (communication) reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Welcome to EUExcert - Ireland

The EUExCert is a European Commission program to certify competence throughout the European explosives industry. Through earlier stages of this program, significant work has been completed to gain an understanding of what processes are available within different countries for training and competence assessment, along with creating a shared understanding of terminology and identifying contacts within the industry who can assist in furthering the overall objectives. Partners from member states have been appointed to progress the objectives. Irish Industrial Explosives Ltd. has been appointed as the Partner in Ireland. Partners are currently also representing; Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and United Kingdom.

The European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) is a scheme that has been cited as a good example of what the explosives industry should strive towards. Many countries already operate competence based assessment qualifications in the area of shotfiring. The EUExCert program would aim to enable a European wide system to be adopted such that competence in the various disciplines will be recognised in all other member states.

The current phase of the EUExCert program is to establish “Nodes” within Partner countries who will consider, approve and adopt Standards that can will be applied for assessing competence with the national explosives industry. Having approved and adopted common standards nationally, these can them become the European Standards.

The program is far reaching and encompasses all aspects of the explosives industry. To achieve the objective of approving Standards, representation within the Node has been obtained from industry Regulators (ie. Dept. of Justice, Heath & Safety Authority, the defence forces (Dept of Defence), training organisations ( F.A.S. and Carlow IT), Employee Representation (S.I.P.T.U. & I.M.Q.S.), Manufacturers, handlers and users of commercial explosives and fireworks, (Irish Industrial Explosives, Orica, Exsol and BPM Fireworks) and mining (Tara Mines).

Further information on the progress of this project at a European level can be found on the EUExCert website at www.euexcert.org