# Benzene: Regulation

A proven carcinogen in everyday supply chains

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/benzene/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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flammable liquid cat 2; carcinogenicity cat 1A; germ cell mutagenicity cat 1B; STOT repeated exposure cat 1; aspiration hazard cat 1 | UN1114 | Chronic exposure causes leukaemia and bone-marrow damage. Vapour is heavier than air and highly flammable. |

#### Main rules

| Where | Rule | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| **EU** | Directive (EU) 2022/431 occupational limit of 0.2 ppm from 5 April 2026; REACH registration; Seveso III | Tighter workplace controls at derivative and refinery sites (indicative) |
| **EU** | Fuel Quality Directive 98/70/EC: benzene in petrol at most 1% by volume | Caps benzene in gasoline pool (indicative) |
| **US** | OSHA permissible exposure limit 1 ppm; EPA gasoline benzene average 0.62% by volume | Drives refinery benzene removal (indicative) |

#### India

| Rule | Effect |
|---|---|
| **MSIHC Rules 1989 (listed hazardous chemical); Petroleum Rules 2002 for storage** | Site safety reports and on-site emergency plans required (indicative) |
| **BS-VI petrol specification (IS 2796): benzene at most 1% by volume** | Limits benzene in fuel (indicative) |

#### Trade measures

- No major anti-dumping measures on benzene itself found in sources reached; trade measures sit on derivatives (phenol, caprolactam investigations in India, 2025-2026).

#### Supply risk

Low structural risk because supply is spread across many refineries, but Gulf exports and naphtha supply proved vulnerable to the 2026 Hormuz disruption. Not on critical-mineral lists.

## Other sections

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