Adhesives and sealants: Regulation

How isocyanate and VOC rules change what glues contain

What this tab covers How it is regulated and what could disrupt supply: hazard classification, rules in the EU, US and India, anti-dumping duties and other trade measures, and supply-risk notes.

Hazards

Classification	UN number	Key risks
varies: solvent-borne flammable cat 2; isocyanate-based resp. sens. 1; cyanoacrylate eye irritant (indicative)	UN1133 (adhesives, flammable)	Solvent fires and inhalation; isocyanate sensitisation; glue sniffing of toluene-based products.

Main rules

Where	Rule	Effect
EU	REACH restriction on diisocyanates (mandatory training since Aug 2023); Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation	training for PU users; push for recyclable packaging adhesives (indicative)
US	State VOC limits (CARB, SCAQMD) for adhesives and sealants	favours water-borne and reactive low-VOC systems (indicative)
EU	Formaldehyde emission limits for wood-based panels (REACH, 2026)	pushes formaldehyde-free panel binders (indicative)

India

Rule	Effect
MSIHC Rules 1989 and Petroleum Rules for solvent storage	plant licensing for solvent-based products (indicative)
No specific VOC limits for adhesives (indicative)	solvent-based contact adhesives remain common in footwear and furniture

Trade measures

US reciprocal tariffs on Indian exports cut from 50% to 18% (Galaxy Surfactants Q3 FY26 call); affects Indian chemical exporters including adhesives

Supply risk

Low for formulation, moderate for monomers: VAM supply is concentrated in a few producers (China, US, Gulf, Taiwan), and India has relied on imports until Asian Paints' plant.