Explosives

Bureau of Explosives

A component of the Association of American Railroads created to promote the safe handling of dangerous cargoes. The bureau was established in 1907 and was, for many years, the authoritative source of information on the transportation of dangerous goods. In 1910 the bureau published a listing of dangerous, questionable, and exempted articles, and prescribed packaging and handling techniques for each hazardous item. In 1918 the Bureau of Explosives standards were incorporated into Federal law, and subsequent pronouncements of the bureau were adopted as Federal requirements.

The regulatory powers of the Bureau of Explosives have been effectively preempted by the Department of Transportation, which promulgates standards for the handling of hazardous substances by all modes of transport.

(Main Author: William J. Miller)

In relation to Inter-American Treaties, Conventions and Agreements adopted within the framework of the OAS

The Organization of American States (a list of Members of the Organization of American States is here) adopted the following international instruments regarding Weapons:

• Inter-American Convention Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials
• Inter-American Convention on Transparency in Conventional Weapons Acquisitions