R. Holmberg, Dyno Nobel R&D Centre for Initiation Systems, Gyttorp, Sweden and Swedish Rock Construction Committee, Stockholm, Sweden.

• Foreword 1 EU directives and harmonisation work Hannonisation of explosives standards in Europe; European hannonization of test methods for high explosives in the frame of Directive; A comparison of methods for thermodynamic calculation of explosives used in Europe; The preliminary hannonisation work of the blast vibration values in Finland; Standards, environmental regulations and consequences for tunnel blasting projects in urban areas in Sweden; How environmental and transport regulations will affect blasting; 2 Health, safety and environment, HSE; 3 Recent technical development- Product and processes; 4 Shot hole development; 5 Blasting experiences; 6 Management of blasting operations.