Airbags and belt tensioners contain pyrotechnic assemblies. If handled incorrectly, these components pose a considerable risk of serious injury or even death. They are therefore subject to the Explosives Act.

According to the Explosives Act, you generally need an official permit to handle explosive substances - also in connection with airbag and belt tensioner units. The permit requirement does not apply under certain conditions if you work with airbag and belt tensioner units of category P1 (old designation: class T1) without igniting them. A classic application for this is installation and removal in vehicle workshops.

In any case, you must notify the responsible authorities of any commercial handling: If you as an employer intend to have your employees work with airbag or belt tensioner units of category P1 for the first time, you must submit the notification at least 2 weeks before starting the activity.

Other requirements for exemption from the permit requirement include, among other things, that the handling is carried out by trained personnel, i.e. by persons with limited specialist knowledge.

The restricted specialist knowledge is taught in a training course lasting around 6 hours. The limited specialist knowledge only authorizes the installation and removal of airbag and belt tensioner units of category P1 and their destruction in the installed state. The following is taught during the training:

• Design and operation of gas generators, airbag and belt tensioner units,
• Characterization of the explosives used,
• Explosives law requirements for the activity,
• handling, hazard characteristics,
• storage, transportation,
• disposal,
• practical part.