The 8th of July will see the introduction of a new national register for explosive materials. The purpose is to make it more difficult for criminals to gain access to explosives.
This is really high time, says Suzanne Noreklint, unit manager at MSB.
Large quantities of the explosives used in gang-related bombings come from the legal market, for example, construction sites.
Permits to handle explosive materials are currently held in paper form by municipalities and the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB). There is a lack of comprehensive oversight, which means that unsuitable companies that have their permits revoked in one municipality can easily obtain a new one in another.
A new national permit register is now being introduced to stop unscrupulous actors and reduce leakage to criminals.
Authorities, municipalities, and traders will be able to check in real-time that permits are valid, says Suzanne Noreklint, unit manager at the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB).
As of July 8, municipalities, rescue service associations, and MSB will have access to the register and can begin filling in the necessary information. Three months later, the system will be opened up to traders, the police, and other authorities.
