# Caustic soda: Regulation

Burns, blindness and Europe's growing import reliance

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

Burns, blindness and Europe's growing import reliance 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Skin Corr. 1A; Eye Dam. 1; Met. Corr. 1 | UN1824 (solution); UN1823 (solid) | Causes severe burns and blindness; dissolving solid caustic releases heat; reacts with aluminium to release hydrogen. |

#### Main rules

| Where | Rule | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| **EU** | REACH; CLP; chlor-alkali BAT conclusions | governs plant permits; possible anti-dumping duties on US imports (Argus Nov 2025) |
| **US** | EPA asbestos rule for diaphragm cells (2029/2036) | closure of diaphragm capacity |
| **Mexico** | import duty of $195/dmt on US Gulf caustic | reroutes US exports |

#### India

| Rule | Effect |
|---|---|
| **BIS Quality Control Order for caustic soda (IS 252), in force since 2022 (indicative)** | imports need BIS certification, which restrains low-quality imports |
| **MSIHC Rules 1989** | storage and handling licences |

#### Trade measures

- Mexico duty $195/dmt on US caustic
- US tariffs blocking over 350,000 dmt/yr from NE Asia to the US West Coast (Argus Nov 2025)
- Possible EU anti-dumping case on US caustic

#### Supply risk

Supply is diverse but tied to chlorine demand and power prices. Not on critical lists. Europe's closures increase import reliance on the US.

## Other sections

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