# Ammonium nitrate: Regulation

Why a fertiliser is sold under explosives rules

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/ammonium_nitrate/regulation/

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 |
|---|---|---|
| Oxidising solid cat 3 (H272); eye irritation cat 2 | UN1942 / UN2067 / UN0222 | Can detonate when contaminated, confined or heated in large stockpiles (Toulouse 2001, West Texas 2013, Beirut 2020). Used in improvised explosives, so sales are controlled. |

#### Main rules

| Where | Rule | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| **EU** | Explosives Precursors Regulation (EU) 2019/1148 (AN with 16% N or more restricted for the public); REACH Annex XVII detonation-resistance test for high-N AN fertilisers; Seveso III thresholds | limits who can buy and store AN |
| **EU** | CBAM covers fertilisers from 2026; tariffs on Russian and Belarusian fertilisers from July 2025 | raises cost of imports, especially Russian AN |
| **US** | OSHA and EPA storage rules; DHS chemical security programme authority lapsed in 2023 (indicative) | patchy federal security oversight |

#### India

| Rule | Effect |
|---|---|
| **Ammonium Nitrate Rules 2012 under the Explosives Act 1884, administered by PESO** | licences for manufacture, import, storage and transport of substances with more than 45% AN |
| **Post-Beirut storage audits and port restrictions (2020, indicative)** | tighter handling at Chennai and other ports |
| **Fertiliser (Control) Order specifies CAN and AN fertiliser grades (indicative)** | quality standards for farm use |

#### Trade measures

- EU tariffs on Russian and Belarusian fertilisers (from July 2025)
- EU CBAM on fertilisers (2026)
- Egypt 10% export duty on nitrogen fertilisers (2026, CRU)

#### Supply risk

Moderate: Russia is about 37% of exports and under sanctions pressure; technical AN supply to Indian coal mines depended on imports until new plants started in 2024-2026.

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/ammonium_nitrate/index.md)
- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/ammonium_nitrate/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/ammonium_nitrate/correlation/index.md)
- [Production route](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/ammonium_nitrate/routes/index.md)
- [Production](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/ammonium_nitrate/production/index.md)
- [Feedstocks](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/ammonium_nitrate/feedstocks/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/ammonium_nitrate/cycles/index.md)
- [Trading](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/ammonium_nitrate/trading/index.md)
- [Movement](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/ammonium_nitrate/movement/index.md)
- [Characteristics](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/ammonium_nitrate/characteristics/index.md)
- [Emissions](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/ammonium_nitrate/emissions/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/ammonium_nitrate/links/index.md)