Article 1 of the Saudi Explosives and Fireworks Law

This is the definitions article. Its meanings apply wherever these terms appear in the Law, unless the context requires otherwise. The most important point is the distinction between two kinds of material that the Law treats differently:

• Explosives: a chemical compound or mixture that, when exposed to an external influence, converts at tremendous speed into quantities of gas, high temperature and great pressure, producing a destructive force to everything around it. The distinguishing element here is the destructive force.
• Fireworks: a chemical compound or mixture prepared to produce a sound burst accompanied by halos or light or smoke shapes, for example luminous or smoke fireworks prepared for festivals and occasions. The distinguishing element here is the sound and light effect.
• Authorized person: a natural person (an individual) or legal person (such as a company) who meets the required conditions and holds a permit from the Ministry of Interior. Meeting the conditions is not enough without obtaining the permit.
• The Minister: the Minister of Interior, and the Ministry: the Ministry of Interior.
• The Regulations: the Implementing Regulations of this Law.

This distinction has a practical effect, because Article 2 shows that the Law regulates dealing in explosives prepared for non-military use and in fireworks, from manufacture and possession to transport, storage and destruction. Anyone dealing in fireworks falls within the scope of fireworks, and anyone dealing in blasting materials in quarries or construction falls within the scope of explosives.

Anyone who needs to know how a particular material is classified, or their legal position in dealing with it, can consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.