APEx - Application of Explosive Precursors

What is APEx?

It is the new Application that allows the management of all matters relating to explosive precursors, as determined in European Regulation 2019/1148 in the categories

Regulated precursors
Restricted precursors

It has four access roles to operate with APEx according to the purpose of each one of them.

Private individuals
Economic operators
Professionals
Experts

It will soon be available for download! at:

How can I access APEx?

Access to APEx requires you to be identified through Cl@ve, the secure identification system with the public administrations. You can use the DNI-electronic, any recognised electronic certificate and also concerted key PIN and Permanent Key systems.

If you do not already have your electronic identification credential with the public administrations, you can request discharge at cl@ve. You have all the information about the registration process on the website of Cl@ve . Among the possible options, you can quickly get a more basic security level credential using the video call registration option.

Among the possible options, you can quickly get a more basic security level credential using the video call registration option. You can get more information to use the Cl@ve system, on the 060 phone or access the information portal.

Information Cl@ve

Access roles that can operate with APEx

Private individuals

Those who need to use restricted explosives precursors, but do not require them for a professional activity. They require a license issued by the Intelligence Center against Terrorism and Organized Crime (CITCO).

Economic operators

Companies which, as part of their commercial activity, place precursors of restricted explosives on the market.

Professionals

Those who have a demonstrable need for the use of restricted explosive precursors for the exercise of their professional activity.

Experts

FFCC agents with specialised training provided by CITCO.

What advantages does APEx offer?

Several and very interesting, depending on the role of the user:

Private individuals: With APEx you comply with the obligation of accompanying the restricted PEx with the license that covers them, by obtaining it through the cell phone and not having to carry the paper version. The purchase and control processes are streamlined, as well as the balance pending acquisition, you receive news of interest and license renewal notices. Any incident can also be reported to CITCO.
Economic operators: APEx will be responsible for authorizing and notifying transactions automatically to the Ministry of the Interior, avoiding the obligation to communicate sales to individuals through the electronic headquarters. This eliminates the risk of selling PEx to someone who presents a manipulated or false license, or of making a mistake in the substance, concentration or quantity supplied, keeping the sales control automated. You will receive news of interest and will be able to report suspicious transactions or incidents directly to CITCO.
Professionals: Using APEx you will receive news of interest and you will be able to communicate if you suffer a theft or disappearance of PEx, or any type of incident, directly to CITCO.
Experts: Permanent and updated access to news of interest in the field of PEx, being able to participate in discussion forums of other experts like you. You will be able to ask and answer questions in a strong and cohesive community specialized in this subject.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Select the FAQs category and tap on your deployables to get the answers.

These are chemicals that are treated in a certain way and can be used for the manufacture of explosive substances.

These substances are determined by the European Regulation in this field and have two categories: regulated precursors and restricted precursors.

Substance name and registration number of the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS No)	Registration No. of the Chemical Abstracts Service	Lower limit value	Upper limit value from which licenses cannot be granted
Nitric acid	(Nº CAS 7697-37-2)	3 % p/p	10 % p/p
Hydrogen peroxide	(Nº CAS 7722-84-1)	12 % p/p	35 % p/p
Sulphuric acid	(Nº CAS 7664-93-9)	15 % p/p	40 % p/p
Nitromethane	(N.o CAS 75-52-5)	16 % p/p	100 % p/p
Ammonium nitrate	(Nº CAS 6484-52-2)	16 % p/p nitrogen with respect to ammonium nitrate	Licensing is not permitted (to individuals)
Potassium chlorate	(Nº CAS 3811-04-9)	40 % p/p	Licensing is not permitted (to individuals)
Potassium perchlorate	(Nº CAS 7778-74-7)	40 % p/p	Licensing is not permitted (to individuals)
Sodium chlorate	(Nº CAS 7775-09-9)	40 % p/p	Licensing is not permitted (to individuals)
Sodium perchlorate	(Nº CAS 7775-09-9)	40 % p/p	Licensing is not permitted (to individuals)
Sodium perchlorate	(Nº CAS 7601-89-0)	40 % p/p	Licensing is not permitted (to individuals)

It is important to point out that individuals can only access these products when they are in possession of a valid licence which can be applied for through APEx.

Finally, not all restricted NEEAPs are accessible to private individuals, there are some that do not support the granting of a licence.

Substance name	Registration No. of the Chemical Abstracts Service	Lower limit value below which no licence is required	Upper limit value from which licences cannot be granted
Nitric acid	(Nº CAS 7697-37-2)	3 % p/p	10 % p/p
Hydrogen peroxide	(Nº CAS 7722-84-1)	12 % p/p	35 % p/p
Sulphuric acid	(Nº CAS 7664-93-9)	15 % p/p	40 % p/p
Nitromethane	(N.o CAS 75-52-5)	16 % p/p	100 % p/p

There are two options:

On the one hand, restricted MEPs with a concentration below the limits indicated in the previous paragraph, e.g. nitric acid of less than 3 %, hydrogen peroxide of less than 12 % concentration, sulphuric acid of less than 15 %, or nitromethane of less than 16 %.
In addition, all those specifically considered as such, which can be consulted in the European Regulation on the matter in Annex II thereto.

It's the acronym for the application of Explosives Precursors.

This application allows effective control of these substances, and facilitates the interactions between the various actors involved in the management of these substances by the National Contact Point in the matter.

Because it is a system widely used by citizens in their relations with public administrations, which makes it possible to prove identity independently and reliably.

It should be borne in mind that the special sensitivity of XSP requires the adoption of large safety measures.

This is the Intelligence Centre against Terrorism and Organized Crime, under the State Secretariat for Security of the Ministry of the Interior (hereinafter the CITCO).

Its functions are to combine everything concerning explosive precursors in Spain, from receiving the communication of suspicious transactions to issuing licenses for private individuals, to doing or ordering inspections wherever these substances are stored (with logical legal safeguards) to the inspection authorities in the matter.

It's the acronym for the Center for Intelligence against Terrorism and Organized Crime.

It is the equivalent of the term “category”, determining from the obligations in relation to NEEAPs, to which functionalities are enabled in APEx

Of course, we're going to look at each one of the roles, so you can see which lockets you're going to see.

The expert role corresponds to agents of the Security Forces and Corps with training and competence in the matter, after passing a course given by CITCO.
The role of economic operator is used for those establishments whose commercial activity includes placing SXP on the market (both to other economic operators and to professional users or individuals).
The role of professional user refers to persons or companies whose professional work requires the use of SXP for commercial, professional or business purposes.
The role of private individual defines those persons (individuals or legal entities) who require PEx for any activity not related to commercial, professional or business purposes (hobbies).

Indeed. There are cases where the same person needs to have multiple roles.

The most typical case is that of the owner of a nitromethane propelled radio-control vehicle shop, who also supplies it, and who, within his activities, arranges vehicles and therefore needs to test them.

If you were also an amateur in your leisure time to this activity, you should have the three roles (economic operator, professional user and particular, in the order set out in the example).

Of course, we're going to look at each of the roles, so that you can check on which lockets:

If you are an expert you will need to register with Cl@ve PIN, after pre-authorization by the CITCO.
If you are an economic operator you will need to register with Cl@ve PIN and attach:
- Certificate of discharge in the Economic Activities Tax, Commercial Register, other Official Register, or any similar official document certifying an economic activity, including in any case its business name, tax address and identification number for the purposes of Value Added Tax.
- Scriptures constitution of society (if applicable).
- Tax Agency model 036 or 037. Information and download of Models 036 and 037
If you are a professional user you will need to register with Cl@ve PIN and attach:
- I am aware of the payment of self-employed persons (Social Security receipt for self-employed persons).
- Scriptures constitution of society (if applicable).
- Tax Agency model 036 or 037. Information and download of Models 036 and 037
If you are a particular you will only need to register with Cl@ve PIN.

It is an option that you can select under account in the Profile section, by selecting the Auto Start with Role option. In this way, it would enter the last selected role.

Any person who satisfies the requirements that conform to some of the existing roles in the application.

Of course, we're going to look at each of the roles, so that you can check on which lockets:

If you are an expert:
- None.
If you are an economic operator.
- All of them, for their subsequent market entry. Always complying with legal obligations.
If you are a professional user:
- All, within the need for their use for the development of your work or professional activity (where there are no other alternative products with similar efficacy, or MEPs in concentrations lower than those categorized as restricted, were not valid for the required uses).
If you are a private:
- Of the potential, only those that allow you to license and at authorised concentrations, depending on the intended use.

The first thing is to say that only “individuals” require a license.

The licence is only granted in order to acquire and use the following restricted SPPs:
- Nitric acid
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Sulphuric acid
- Nitromethane

Within the reference concentration values mentioned above

The remaining restricted PEx are not allowed for private individuals under any circumstances.

In the event that the CITCO considers that information, because of its special relevance, must be known by the user of APEx, it will be sent by the alert route.

For example, a personalized alert will be sent to a user when their license is about to expire.

Through the Profile section, within the help module, in the Consultation to the CITCO option.

The means of contact and the time allowed for consultations, which may be of any kind, and always answered by a specialized operator of the CITCO, are shown.

Through the Home section, at the top through the envelope icon.

Several and very interesting:

The most important thing is related to the obligation set out in the law, which indicates that it must always accompany the restricted MEPs with the licence that covers them. When operating with APEx this obligation is fulfilled via mobile, so you forget to remember to take the old version on paper.
In addition, the purchasing process is carried out through the app, accelerating and facilitating the process.
You will take control of your purchases, the outstanding balance, you will be told of news of interest and that it is time to renew your license, you will be able to communicate any incidence with the CITCO, etc.

Of course. Inside APEx you will see that at the bottom there is a section called licenses, if you select it and go to the bottom you will see a symbol +.

Pick me up and follow the process, you'll see it's easy.

Once the licence has been requested, you must complete all the requested data. Some will be pre-loaded according to the record itself, the remainder will have to be introduced manually.

Once you have completed the request for a new license you will receive a notice and you will be permanently informed.

Depending on the address you have indicated, you will be contacted by the appropriate police and interviewed to assess whether or not your license should be positively valued.

The CITCO will take a decision on this matter which will let you know unequivocally.

It is true that when applying for a licence you have to provide details of three addresses, but there is a trick to it.

The usual domicile is the normal one, where you are domiciled.
The storage address (where you will store the PEx).
He address of use (where you are using the PEx).

A priori it seems incongruous, but we give you an example: live on the Paseo de la Castellana in Madrid usually (it is your usual domicile), but you have a house in the Sierra where you keep the nitromethane (storage address) and then take it to a circuit where you practice with your friends your hobby of radiocontrol vehicles (this last place is the home of use).

As you can see, sometimes all addresses are the same, but many times they are not.

APEx facilitates the process of data entry when completing home information.

It lasts for one year. Exceptionally, it could last less, but never more.

To find out when your license expires you will be able to see the information in the licenses section if you click on it.

Of course it is. In case you need more than one restricted PEx, you must apply for a license for each case.

Of course it is. In case you need a restricted PEx at different concentrations, you must apply for a licence for each case.

Once in the sales establishment, you must access APEx, and within it the purchasing system.

You have several options to access:

the first from the start section on the button called quick purchase
the second from licenses by pressing the shopping cart that you will see on the right of your license
You could access the menu from purchases, by pressing the cart icon.

After this a new Cl@ve PIN authentication request is made, this is because the purchase process allows access to the PEx, and therefore we must make sure that it is you, and not another person, who makes the purchase.

If you follow the process and are authentic correctly, it takes you to a new screen where you will see the PEx credit you have left, enter the amount you want to buy, and press the GENERATE QR button.

Generated the code show it to the merchant, he'll know what to do.

Accept the verification message and you already have it.

You must immediately, and in any case within 24 hours, communicate it to the CITCO via APEx.

To do this, navigate to the start section and at the top, on the right, press the icon that represents a megaphone.

Select theft or disappearance, enter your phone number in the remarks section tell us briefly what has happened, and send the report.

A CITCO agent will contact you as soon as possible.

Several and very interesting. The most important thing is that the law states that whenever you make a sale to a private individual you must communicate this circumstance (and a lot of more data), through the electronic headquarters of the Ministry of the Interior, using APEx this obligation disappears, as the communications are done automatically.

In addition, you will not be at risk of selling to someone who makes a manipulated or distorted license, or making a mistake in the substance, concentration or quantity supplied, as APEx will be responsible for authorising the transaction, in a couple of clicks and in less than 5 seconds.

You will carry a sales check (monthly and weekly), you will be alerted to news of interest, you will be able to communicate suspicious transactions or any incident directly with the CITCO; and many more advantages.

When a customer says they want to purchase PEx, they must access APEx.

In the app you can access the sales process in two ways:

within the start section, by clicking on the quick sale icon
In the sales section on the QR code icon. By clicking the QR code icon, the phone camera will open and you will see a box. You must focus and capture the code that the buyer must show you. Once captured, APEx will send the buyer a confirmation message that they will have to accept. If everything is right you will get the confirmation on the screen and you will be able to make the sale, finishing the process. You don't have to do anything else anymore.

When a customer intends to purchase PEx, and considers that there are reasonable grounds, having taken into account all the relevant elements, to suspect that the substance or mixture concerned might be intended for the illicit manufacture of explosives, he will be faced with a suspicious transaction.

The law requires, with important repercussions if you do not, to communicate them to the CITCO as soon as possible, and in any case in less than 24 hours. Through BAPEx you can easily comply with this obligation.

You must immediately, and in any case within 24 hours, communicate it to the CITCO via APEx.

To do this, navigate to the start section and at the top, on the right, press the icon that represents a megaphone.

Select suspicious transaction, theft or disappearance, enter your phone number, in the remarks section tell us briefly what has happened, and send the report.

A CITCO agent will contact you as soon as possible.

Several and very interesting. Through it you will be notified of news of interest, you will be able to communicate, if you suffer a theft or disappearance of PEx, or any incident directly with the CITCO.

In addition, we are developing the process that will allow you to simplify PEx purchases. When available, you will be able to avoid the customer’s statements as well as the continuous input of the documentation, as you do now on each purchase.

As soon as this feature becomes a reality, we will notify you through APEx.

You must immediately, and in any case within 24 hours, communicate it to the CITCO via APEx.

To do this, navigate to the start section and at the top, on the right, press the icon that represents a megaphone.

Select theft or disappearance, enter your phone number in the “remarks” section tell us briefly what has happened, and send the report.

A CITCO agent will contact you as soon as possible.

Today it is not possible, but from the CITCO we are working hard to offer this functionality as soon as possible.

As soon as this feature becomes a reality, we will notify you through APEx.

Several and very interesting. Through it you will have permanent and updated access to news of interest in the field of PEx.

In addition, you will be able to participate in discussion forums and consult, as well as to help colleagues by responding to theirs.

We intend to achieve a strong and cohesive community specialized in this topic.

Download APEx and follow the registration process via Cl@ve PIN.

Through APEx you will have permanent and updated access to news of interest in the field of PEx. In addition, you will be able to participate in discussion forums and consult, as well as to help colleagues by responding to theirs.

We intend to achieve a strong and cohesive community specialized in this topic.