TS EN 13857-1

TS EN 13857-1 is the first part of the EN 13857 series for explosives for civil uses. It establishes a common vocabulary for the terms and definitions used in technical documents, helping ensure that the language used for explosive products and related activities is understood consistently. As a vocabulary standard, it supports clear communication rather than setting product requirements or test limits.

Why terminology matters in civil explosives

In explosives technology, terminology is important because it distinguishes between product types, physical behaviour, intended use and related processes. Civil explosives are used in controlled applications such as mining, quarrying, construction and demolition, where precision in naming and definition can affect technical interpretation. In general technical practice, a vocabulary standard helps manufacturers, users, laboratories and regulatory bodies work from the same conceptual framework.

What this part covers

• Provides the terms and definitions used in documents prepared by CEN/TC 321 for explosives for civil uses.
• As Part 1, it creates the shared conceptual basis for the rest of the series.
• It is a vocabulary document intended to improve consistency and comparability in explosives-related technical documentation.
• It does not define product performance requirements, test methods or numerical limits; its focus is on meaning and terminology.

For that reason, TS EN 13857-1 is best understood as a reference for standardised technical language rather than a procedure standard for selecting or testing an explosive product. Within the EN 13857 series, it supports consistent interpretation of the other documents that rely on these terms.